Hardwood floors are something that many homes desire. But some people choose vinyl planks as the next best thing because they are less expensive but require more maintenance.
First, can you put laminate or vinyl flooring over carpet?
The answer is that you can install your laminate or vinyl planks without necessarily having to take out the carpet first.
However, the type of carpet will determine this. You might be able to directly install your floorboards over one of these thin, low pile carpets.
For more details, continue reading.
Table of Contents
Can You Put Laminate Or Vinyl Flooring Over Carpet?
It might seem obvious that you wouldn’t want to install vinyl or laminate flooring over carpet. These types of flooring are appropriate for solid, hard surfaces like wood or concrete. Some thicker products can be installed over low pile carpet without a pad if vinyl plank is the vinyl flooring style you are considering over carpet. Prior to investing your time or money, it is best to check with individual manufacturers. To create a firm, level surface, it might be best to lay a layer of plywood over the carpet first. It’s always a good idea to check with the manufacturer, to reiterate.
What Is The Flooring Situation Right Now?
Understanding your floor’s current condition and whether removing the carpet is actually possible will help you determine whether or not you can install laminate or vinyl flooring over your carpet.
Most people are motivated to cover an existing carpet with laminate or vinyl because they are not permitted to remove the carpet. For rented homes and apartments, this is especially true. The majority of landlords forbid tenants from making any long-term changes to the rented space.
However, some people are simply unable to do so due to physical limitations, or they are unwilling to pay someone to do it for them in order to install the new flooring.
Also keep in mind that it can take a while to remove and dispose of an old carpet. Therefore, the majority of people will simply have the carpet covered with their new flooring. You see, if your carpet’s surface is level, you can install your planks without removing the carpet from the floor.
To determine whether keeping the carpet is an option or not, you need to consider a few factors depending on the type of carpet you have. These factors are discussed below.
Consider Carpet Type You Have
You should take into account the type of carpet installed in the room before laying your laminate or vinyl flooring, regardless of whether you fall into one of the aforementioned categories or you simply want to temporarily install a floating floor on top of an already-installed carpet.
It’s possible to put the new flooring over an enduring, low pile carpet. Your laminate or vinyl planks will fit on top properly as long as it is level and unharmed.
Avoid adding any underlayment because the carpet already provides the padding you need and the extra material could reduce the height of the room.
The carpet fibers should also not be longer than a quarter inch. If they are too long, the carpet won’t offer the support required to keep the new flooring in place.
No laminate or vinyl flooring should ever be installed over that plush carpet in your bedroom or living room, for example. They won’t provide the support your flooring needs to keep the tongue and groove system locked properly because such carpets are typically very soft.
Benefits Of Removing The Carpet
Despite the fact that laminate or vinyl flooring can be set up over carpet, most industry experts advise doing so. You can start over with a clean slate by getting rid of the carpet, and there are additional advantages as well.
Reduces Allergens
The carpet will inevitably become covered in debris, dirt, dust, and other common allergens. Even though you can remove them by vacuuming the carpet, if the cleaning is not done correctly and a new floor is laid over the carpet, the allergens will become trapped beneath the floor and you won’t be able to remove them from your house.
Removing the carpet also lessens the possibility of moisture buildup. The moisture trapped under your flooring will eventually turn into a mold-growing environment if you cleaned your carpet but for some reason it did not completely dry before the new flooring was laid on top of it.
This mold will grow underneath your laminate or vinyl flooring, which will shorten the life of your flooring and increase the risk of respiratory allergies and diseases for you and your loved ones.
Floor Becomes More Even
Your flooring will deteriorate more quickly in any area that receives a lot of traffic. If you lay laminate or vinyl flooring over carpet in a heavily trafficked area, the carpet fiber will eventually shrink and make your new flooring uneven.
Moreover, if your flooring is floating over a carpet whose pile is beginning to contract, the flooring will start to strain, leading to it to snap or warp at the joints.
What To Do If The Carpet Is Removed?
It is advised that you dispose of the underlayment as well if you decide to remove the carpet prior to installation. The carpet underlayment is typically too soft and may not be able to support the new flooring well.
Additionally, make sure the subfloor is clean, smooth, and in good condition. Sand any ridges to give your planks a flat surface.
Remember that depending on the type of floor you are installing, you might need to install a new underlayment. The subfloor’s type and whether the flooring has padding built in or not will determine this, though.
You won’t need any underlayment if you’re putting down padded flooring on top of a wood subfloor. To add additional insulation and stop water vapor from penetrating your new flooring, underlayment is necessary if you are laying down the flooring over a concrete subfloor.
Whether you are installing flooring over a wooden or cement subfloor, you will need an underlayment if the flooring doesn’t come with one already attached.
Keep your underlayment as thin as you can for the best results. If the floor is raised by a thick underlayment, the height of the room may be reduced, and you may need to trim the door frames to allow the door to open and close properly.
Install Laminate Flooring Over Carpet
The Max Tiles Raised Modular Flooring product, which also happens to be one of the most adaptable options available, is the only option Greatmats recommends for a laminate flooring over carpet application. From the home to the workplace to the commercial building, it is a great option for almost any environment. The simplicity of installation is one of this flooring’s best features. Cleaning the carpet thoroughly is the first step in installing this laminate flooring over carpet. No matter what kind of flooring will be installed, it’s always a good idea to have a clean subfloor that is free of dirt, dust, and debris. Make sure you have a table saw or jigsaw, a box cutter or utility knife, spare blades, blade lubricant (WD-40), and spare blades. Place the Max Tiles on the floor of the room where they will be installed and give them 24 to 48 hours to get used to it.
Installing is actually very simple once you’re ready to start. Being 12 by 12 inches and weighing slightly more than 2 pounds, the tiles are incredibly manageable. This laminate flooring can be installed over carpet without glue, so installation time should be minimal. You might need to cut your tiles to fit for wall-to-wall snap together flooring installations, in which case you will use a table saw or jigsaw. It is advised that you also keep a lubricating spray oil on hand to use on your blade if this is the case. This will prevent it from heating up too much and possibly melting the plastic tile tray.
Simply start in the center of the space and move outward. Over hard surfaces, the individual tiles interlock with ease. To secure the nubs in place, simply place them on top of the surrounding loops and step on them. If you discover that the carpeted floor does not offer enough resistance to snap the tiles together, slide some plywood under the connection areas to create a firmer surface. Plywood can be moved to each area where new tiles are being connected because it is not necessary for it to remain in place, and then removed once the installation is finished.
Installing laminate flooring over carpet is a task that one person can complete. Once put together, this product creates a floor that fits snugly and securely and won’t come apart or have gaps. To add a finished, professional edge, you can also choose to add optional ramped borders and corners.
You will benefit from a variety of features and advantages if you choose this laminate flooring over carpet. First, this flooring can be put in, taken out, and put back in again for temporary flooring over carpet or other surfaces because it is so simple to install without adhesives.
Almost any indoor location or space can use the flooring. Because of the raised design, it can float over a subfloor, allowing air to circulate underneath and halting the growth of mold and mildew in damp areas. By offering an air-buffering space beneath the tile’s surface, the space also has some thermal advantages.
A resilient, commercial-grade vinyl surface is another feature that keeps the floor looking brand-new for years. Waterproof, slick-proof, and scratch-proof are all qualities of Max Tiles. They are made in the USA from the best materials, and cleaning them is as easy as using a damp mop, hot water, and regular household floor cleaner. See more about What Size Rug For Under King Bed
Over Carpet: Install Vinyl Flooring Straight
You might be able to lay LVT vinyl planks directly on top of a hard, low pile carpet if it has been installed properly (i.e., there are no folds or wrinkles). Only a hard, low-pile carpet that is flat will work for this. Lay down on the floor on one side of the room and inspect the carpet from that angle to determine if it is level. Then turn to a different wall and look once more. Are there any bulges or dimplings? If the answer is no, you’re in luck because the carpet was set up correctly on a level subfloor, allowing you to cover it with vinyl flooring.
The likelihood that the vinyl planks won’t have the necessary support, click together properly, or make noise when you walk on them increases if the carpet is not level and smooth. If the carpet is mostly even, replacing the planks with vinyl tile squares might help. However, attempting to lay a hard, flat floor over an uneven surface will never be successful.
You should be able to install vinyl planks or tiles directly on top of the carpet, provided you are satisfied with the condition of the carpet. Use a vinyl click system rather than one that needs to be glued down if you want to be able to take the vinyl flooring out when it’s time to get the carpet back. As an underlay, consider the carpet.
But first steam clean the carpet and allow it to dry completely to avoid a revolting surprise when you remove the vinyl after a few years. Otherwise, dirt and moisture will get trapped under the vinyl’s plastic underlay, which can result in the growth of mold and stains that, once they’ve been there for too long, are impossible to remove. Be very cautious if you install vinyl flooring over carpet because this can also occur if a spill is not cleaned up right away and liquid seeps under the vinyl.
Although the installation guidelines for click vinyl planks vary slightly depending on the manufacturer, they are typically very similar. It is wise to take care and avoid shoving the planks into position if you plan to reuse the vinyl in the future. The floor will be simpler to remove if you do it this way. Don’t anticipate that every plank will hold up during removal, though. Choosing vinyl planks with a high UV resistance rating will ensure that the color stays fresh for many years.
Over Thick Or Uneven Carpet: Install Vinyl Flooring
Without additional work, installing vinyl flooring over carpet won’t be possible if the carpet isn’t level or has a high pile. I would seriously re-consider the idea unless that is a risk you are willing to take. If you install another floor on top of high pile “luxury” carpet, you may permanently damage the textile.
As with low pile carpets, begin by steam cleaning the rug and make sure all stains are eliminated before ensuring the rug is completely dry. With these types of carpets, this is even more crucial because you run the risk of having an unsanitary mess of bacteria and mould growing in the dust that is stuck to the high pile.
Plywood planks, which don’t have to be particularly thick, must be placed on top of high pile carpet in order to create a surface that is suitable for installing vinyl flooring. Due to the potential cost increase, unless you have a serious carpet issue, it is frequently not worthwhile to do.
You should be able to install vinyl flooring normally after fastening the plywood planks on top of the carpet. Make sure the seams are attached together (you can do this with tape) and as flat as possible if you’re using several plywood planks to cover the entire room. If the plywood planks have gaps between them, the vinyl won’t lay flat and will move when you walk on it.
Any type of vinyl, not just vinyl planks, can be used with this system. You can use roll vinyl flooring or even peel and stick vinyl flooring, but if you have this issue I would recommend choosing something opulent and attractive, like hardwood vinyl flooring. The only option that has a chance to be reused after removal is click vinyl, making it the most favored by rental companies.
How Can I Make The Most Of My Installation?
As was already mentioned, using a low-pile carpet will give you the best results. Prior to putting in the flooring, you must lay plywood over carpets with plush and thick fibers. To prevent raising the floor too high, the plywood must be thin enough.
While you’re at it, stay away from using flimsy underlayments like foam or cork sheets because they won’t be strong and stable enough to keep the planks neatly in place.
Due to shifting floorboards caused by placing your flooring directly over a high pile carpet, the seams may open up very easily, especially in areas with heavy traffic.
Consider your flooring’s thickness as well. The removal of the carpet would be a more practical choice if you have thick laminate or vinyl planks and a high-pile carpet. You won’t need to worry about shortening the room’s height if you remove the carpet before installing your thicker planks.
The End
It’s crucial to remember that installing vinyl flooring over carpet will likely result in it not aging as well as if it were installed over a solid hard wood subfloor and underlay. Which is acceptable if your plan is to rent the property out for a while and then restore it to its original state. The carpet should be removed, though, if you really plan to stay in the house for a while. If you have the option, remove the carpet and begin installing vinyl flooring on a clean, flat wood subfloor.
Please post a comment if you have any queries. I appreciate your reading.