Gluing floating vinyl planks?

[lsususan]

Installing floating vinyl planks in several rooms. Just finished dining room and I hear that "hollow-type sound" I've read other people mention, particularly when I'm barefooted. I'm wondering if I can glue it down in the other rooms, or does this sound go away with time. Thanks for any input.

[stullis]

Haven't noticed the issue with floating vinyl planks but you could glue them down as well. You will add $$$ to your costs and additional prep issues will need to be handled most likely.

[lsususan]

I just hear a difference when going from the floating vinyl planks to the glued down sheet vinyl in the kitchen. I probably over-prepped the floor in my effort for smoothness, running my hands all over after scraping, etc. just to be sure I didn't feel anything on the slab! But I don't think I want to try a DIY glue down, so that would involve having someone else do it. I'll probably just do it myself.

[stullis]

Sounds like you prepped it properly.

[kylenelson]

it's a floating floor and will have a more distinctly hollow sound to it. Kind of the nature of the beast. I just installed Konecto with the sound reducer underlayment underneath...I couldn't notice a huge difference in sound but it did help.

[lsususan]

OK, thanks for the input and after reading it I've decided to forego the glue idea and just install it like it should be. After all the furniture is in place and the rug is down, I doubt I'll notice it anyway. Although the dog's toenails distinctly click on the floater vs the kitchen sheet vinyl. But like with the cuckoo clock, after awhile, you don't even hear it. Thanks!

[lsususan]

I love this site. If you can't find the answer to your question in the past forums, the responses come quickly! Great for someone with not so much patience!

[Jim McClain]

Are you stuck with a product already? I used a floating vinyl plank in my living/kitchen area last year (Konecto) and am now getting ready to install a new luxury vinyl tile, a plank from Karndean, in my bedroom. The Karndean is a glue-down product. There are a number of glue-down vinyl planks available from different manufacturers, if you don't already have the material.

Glad you like the place.

Jim

[kylenelson]

Karndean tile is a nice alternative to the floating vinyl systems. And it's alot more customizable with borders and pin striping.

[lsususan]

I already have the planks. Got the carpet all pulled up tonight. Will start prepping the slab tomorrow. Loads of fun!

[polestretch]

lsususan said I already have the planks. Got the carpet all pulled up tonight. Will start prepping the slab tomorrow. Loads of fun!

Pretty soon you will be a pro!

[ortiz34]

They'll be fine, laminate will click like nothing else. LVPs are soft and it shouldn't be bad when they acclimate and relax. Make sure to roll the floor!

[lsususan]

Got it done (after a couple of 2AM and 3AM bedtimes! Love the look. Back, knees and hands not loving it so much! I read somewhere about a timeline for rolling the floor. When I lay each piece, after I pressed and rubbed with the heel of my hand and pounded with a rubber mallet (maybe overkill), but I finished Wed. night and wouldn't be able to roll it until Monday (lots of family in for Easter). Will it be too late? I had to get the furniture back in already.

[Jim McClain]

It is important to roll the material at the time of installation. It doesn't take that much time, but the delay may cost you several hours or more of trying to get the edges secure - and with traffic, dirt and possible spills, it may never adhere properly. Pressing with your hand and smacking it with a mallet is not rolling and can't be considered proper installation technique.

It puzzles me why you would jeopardize the life of an expensive floor, one that is designed to last many years, by not even bothering to follow the installation instructions. All because company's coming???

[lsususan]

Got the flooring at a surplus warehouse. Didn't come with instructions. Got most of my information from this site. Should've asked the question before I started. Nothing I can do about it now. Will try to get a roller in the morning to do it before the day gets going.