Are you thinking of joining in on the action? You may want to think about starting with your floors. Many people have swapped out the carpet on their floors for wood or vinyl because they look nice while being easy to care for. But can you install vinyl sheet flooring over carpet?
If this sounds like something you'd like to know the answer to, you've come to the right place. This article will help you learn more about vinyl sheet flooring and how to use it in your carpet-filled home. Read on to find out more!
Can You Install Vinyl Sheet Flooring Over Carpet?
Many homeowners may find this a strange question to begin with. After all, most of those looking to renovate their floor would simply remove their carpet and install the new flooring.However, there may be some cases, such as the type of carpet flooring or even time constraints, that ultimately won't allow you to remove your carpet. That being the case, you want to know if it's possible to still get the vinyl flooring placed within your home.
The good news is that in most cases, it's certainly possible to place vinyl sheeting over your carpet floor! However, there are a few things that you need to bear in mind prior to the installation.
1. It Will Not Work on Thick Carpet
The first thing you need to know is that vinyl flooring cannot be installed onto think carpet. Viny sheeting needs a firm floor to set on so it can hold itself in place. If your carpet is too thick, it will act like a sponge and be too soft for the vinyl to actually connect and hold itself in place. It will likely become damaged or even fall apart at a rapid rate, resulting in a loss of time and money.That being said, you'll want to make sure your carpet is low to the ground, as it tends to be spongier the taller it is. It also helps to have thin, firm carpet padding to give the vinyl a better base to lay on.
2. Use Plywood as an Underlay
Having a firm carpet is a great start, but you'll still want to have a solid surface to place the vinyl sheeting on. The right way to do this would be to use plywood during the installation.Plywood would act as an underlay that the vinyl would sit on top of to gain more rigidity. Of course, the plywood you use must be of a higher quality to ensure it doesn't mess up the vinyl sheeting. You also need to make sure you buy the correct width for your room.
If you get a plywood board that's too thin, your vinyl would have less support and would be at risk of becoming loosened after a short time. However, if the plywood is too wide you run the risk of having the vinyl not run flush with the floorboards, leaving an unappealing room as a result.
For this reason, most contractors settle for plywood with a 1/4 inch width. This tends to be sturdy enough for the vinyl sheeting to keep a solid firmness while being thin enough that the sheeting will still fit well in your room.
3. Make Sure to Install in Low Traffic Areas
It goes without saying that areas in your house that see high levels of traffic will need a firmer base for the vinyl to take hold. If you're planning on covering your carpet with vinyl, you need to make sure it's in an area where there is little traffic moving throughout the room.Since the vinyl is being placed onto a less sturdy carpet floor, it will of course have less rigidity and strength than it would if it were installed on a hardwood floor. That said, placing vinyl sheet flooring in a heavily-trafficked carpeted area would likely break down the connection between the boards faster.
If you want to place vinyl over the top of the carpet, it's best to try an area of the home that sees low levels of walking. Areas like bedrooms and closet spaces tend to see little traffic in comparison to the living or dining room. This will preserve your vinyl flooring and keep the area in peak condition for many years to come!
Have Your Floors Installed by the People You Can Trust
Can you install vinyl sheet flooring over carpet flooring? In most cases, absolutely. That said, it's a rather challenging process that you want to leave in the hands of only the best professionals. We're the ones that can help you with that.National Floors Direct has been a leading company in the flooring and remodeling industry for many years, and our results speak for themselves. We offer all kinds of different flooring for every room setting, including vinyl, hardwood, tile, carpet, laminate, and more. We can take care of you no matter the request.
Ready to get started with your remodel? Feel free to take a look around our site and learn more about us, or reach out to get a free in-home estimate. Let's start making your house the home that you deserve!
