Installation and Preparation

How Should You Prepare for Luxury Vinyl Plank Installation?

Prepare for LVP installation by removing furniture and appliances, confirming existing flooring removal, testing floor flatness and moisture, acclimating the product for 24-48 hours, providing expansion gaps and transitions, and arranging baseboard removal.

How Should You Prepare for Luxury Vinyl Plank Installation?

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is one of the most popular flooring choices, but proper preparation is essential for a successful installation and warranty compliance. After decades of coordinating LVP installations in Oklahoma homes, we provide a comprehensive preparation guide.

Existing Flooring

Removal — confirm whether existing flooring must be removed or if LVP can be installed over it.
Carpet and padding — must always be removed; LVP cannot be installed over carpet.
Existing hard flooring — LVP can sometimes be installed over existing hard flooring if it is flat, dry, and secure.
Tile — LVP can be installed over existing tile if the tile is flat and grout lines do not telegraph.
Cushion-backed flooring — must be removed.

Furniture

Removal — remove all furniture from the installation area.
Homeowner responsibility — the homeowner is typically responsible for furniture removal.
Large items — confirm whether the installer will move large items.

Appliances

Disconnection — disconnect and move appliances before installation.
Water and gas lines — arrange for a plumber or appliance specialist to disconnect water and gas lines.
Height clearance — new flooring may raise the floor height; verify appliance clearance.

Floor Flatness

Manufacturer requirement — LVP requires a flat subfloor; manufacturer tolerances must be met.
Self-leveling — uneven concrete may require self-leveling compound.
Patching — wood subfloors may require patching.
Cost — floor preparation is typically an additional cost.

Moisture Testing

Concrete subfloors — moisture testing is required before LVP installation on concrete.
High moisture — high moisture levels can cause LVP to fail; a moisture barrier may be needed.
Manufacturer limits — each manufacturer specifies maximum moisture levels.
Basements — basements and below-grade installations have higher moisture risk.

Product Storage

Acclimation — LVP must be acclimated to room temperature for 24-48 hours before installation.
Storage — store the product in the installation area, flat and horizontal.
Temperature — maintain consistent indoor temperature (typically 65-85°F).
Boxes — do not stack boxes too high; keep them flat.

Expansion Requirements

Expansion gap — LVP requires a 1/4-inch expansion gap around the perimeter.
Doorways — expansion gaps are needed at doorways and transitions.
Large rooms — large rooms may require additional expansion breaks.
Manufacturer specification — follow the manufacturer's expansion requirements.

Transitions

Doorways — transitions are needed at doorways between rooms.
Flooring changes — transitions are needed where LVP meets other flooring types.
Height differences — transitions accommodate height differences between flooring types.
Order in advance — order transition moldings with the flooring to ensure color match.

Baseboards

Removal — baseboards may need removal for proper installation and expansion gap.
Shoe molding — shoe molding can be removed and reinstalled instead of removing baseboards.
Undercutting — door casings can be undercut to allow LVP to slide underneath.

Access

Parking — provide close parking for delivery and installation.
Path — clear a path from the entry to the installation area.
Power — ensure electrical outlets are available.
Delivery — coordinate delivery timing with installation.

Printable Preparation Checklist

☐ Remove furniture and breakables
☐ Disconnect and move appliances
☐ Confirm existing flooring removal
☐ Confirm floor flatness requirements
☐ Schedule moisture testing (concrete)
☐ Acclimate product for 24-48 hours
☐ Confirm expansion gap requirements
☐ Order transition moldings
☐ Arrange baseboard or shoe molding removal
☐ Clear access path and parking

Homeowner Responsibilities

Remove furniture and breakables.
Disconnect and move appliances.
Arrange for water and gas line disconnection.
Acclimate the product.
Provide access and parking.

Installer or Contractor Responsibilities

Remove existing flooring (if contracted).
Test floor flatness and moisture.
Perform floor preparation (if contracted).
Install LVP with proper expansion gaps and transitions.
Clean up debris and packaging.

Items Requiring Advance Confirmation

Whether existing flooring can remain or must be removed.
Floor flatness requirements and preparation costs.
Moisture testing requirements and results.
Transition and molding needs.
Appliance disconnection responsibility.

Common Preparation Mistakes

Not acclimating the product.
Not testing moisture on concrete.
Not addressing floor flatness.
Not providing expansion gaps.
Not ordering transition moldings in advance.

Safety Considerations

Tools can cause injury — maintain a safe distance.
Dust from tear-out can irritate lungs.
Mortar and self-leveling compounds have odors.
Keep children and pets away.

Bottom Line

Still have questions? Visit your nearest Premier Carpet & Tile showroom to speak with an experienced project coordinator who can help you plan your installation with confidence.

Key considerations

LVP requires a flat subfloor; manufacturer flatness tolerances must be met
Moisture testing is required on concrete subfloors before installation
Acclimate the product for 24-48 hours in the installation area
Provide a 1/4-inch expansion gap around the perimeter
Order transition moldings with the flooring to ensure color match

A common misconception

Many homeowners believe LVP is waterproof and can be installed over any surface without preparation. In reality, floor flatness, moisture testing, acclimation, and proper expansion gaps are all required — and skipping preparation voids the warranty.

Ask an Expert

How Should You Prepare for Luxury Vinyl Plank Installation?