Sheet vinyl flooring can save money over time and other flooring options, and that’s just one of the many benefits it provides.
Vinyl flooring in a home is rarely put without a layer of protection between it and the subfloor. Before laying vinyl flooring, it is necessary to lay down a subfloor of particle board or plywood measuring four feet wide and eight feet long. Know more about luxury vinyl flooring in Franklin Square, NY.
Getting the completed elevations to match is a significant factor when installing different types of flooring in the home. Altogether, the cement board, thinset, and tile measure roughly 5/8 inches. Standard hardwood flooring is 3/4 inches thick, while carpet with pad ranges from 5/8 to 1 inch. However, the thickness of sheet vinyl is just about 1/16 of an inch. It must be raised to the same level as the rest of the house’s flooring.
Hardboard Made of Tiny Pieces of Wood
Particle board, typically 1/2 inch thick, is frequently used as an underlayment for vinyl flooring. It adheres effectively with vinyl adhesives, is cheap, and has a flat, smooth surface. Particle board underlayment has the drawback of being relatively weak in construction. It can only span small distances and requires solid flooring for support.
Particleboard underlayment is also susceptible to rot and mildew because of its inability to repel water. Like a sponge, it readily absorbs liquid. The surface develops bubble-like bumps due to the unequal swelling caused by the water. If you soak it long enough, the particle board will dissolve. Therefore, particle boards shouldn’t be used in damp environments.
Plywood
Plywood is another popular underlayment option because it is more robust and water-resistant than particle board. It’s possible for a large object, such as a heavy woman in high heels, to cause a depression in the flooring due to the plywood’s voids in the inside veneer layers. You never know, but it’s possible. The gaps can be avoided with plywoods of marine or underlayment quality.
The top side of the plywood used as an underlayment for sheet vinyl flooring should also be sanded smooth. Using materials with elevated grain patterns might negatively affect sheet vinyl’s final texture.