When installing the new underlayment stagger the seams of the plywood panels and leave a 1 32 inch gap between panels to allow for expansion.
Installing 1 4 underlayment sheet vinyl.
For many years the standard option was lauan plywood also called philippine mahogany or luan plywood which is made with an inexpensive tropical hardwood and therein lies its problem.
I have 3 4 durastrand subfloor and am installing 1 4 underlayment before the vinyl.
There are several types of underlayment for this type of flooring and we ve seen brands with a thin layer of foam pre attached as well.
Luan as underlayment luan is 1 4 inch thick and it comes in 4 by 8 sheets.
Position sureply plywood underlayment panels 1 8 to 1 4 from the walls to allow for expansion.
That doesn t mean you don t need underlayment for sheet vinyl however.
Laying underlayment over an existing flooring.
We recommend you use this method for installation under vinyl vinyl composite tile luxury vinyl tile ceramic tile carpet engineered flooring and wood floors.
Sheet vinyl however is only about 1 16 inch thick.
Leave a 1 8 inch gap along the walls.
Most plywood underlayment is about 1 4 inch thick and has square edges and a smooth knot free top face.
I have used nails and screws in the past but read online elsewhere that pros use narrow crown staples.
I have installed one sheet so far and it was a lot quicker than my past jobs.
It typically comes in 4 x 8 foot sheets.
If your subfloor had dips or damage it could show through the vinyl over time.
While luan provides a smooth surface on which to install vinyl it s not suitable for all types of vinyl flooring.
Cement board thinset and tile add up to about 5 8 inch.
Traditional hardwood flooring is 3 4 inch thick and carpet with pad is usually between 5 8 and 1 inch depending on the type.
Always use the fasteners and fastening pattern recommended by the vinyl floor and plywood manufacturer.
Finish the sheet by fastening the remaining 8 edge 2 on center 1 2.
It needs to be built up to the same elevation of the other flooring types in the house.