vinyl flooring for unheated camp

[spauldeen]

We are considering a project to resurface the floor of an unheated cottage with vinyl "planks" - about 1/8" thick and 4-6" wide. Two suppliers advise using adhesive, applied with temp. above 65 degrees. Another says, use linked, or interlocking, planks without adhesive because adhesive will crack and heave due to extremes of summer/winter temperatures.
Feedback on experience with vinyl flooring alternatives and installers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[SAB1]

I installed the Vinyl plank in finished space above my unheated garage last spring. I used the interlocking product that floats leaving a good 1/4in around the outside edge so it has room to expand. So far so good no problems. I do recall the directions said to install it when the temp is 65 degrees or better which I did.

[SAB1]

Oh yeah, its very easy to install yourself. They recommend cutting with utility knife but I found it easier to use a chop saw for the ends and the table saw for ripping anything that need to be ripped. I had 3 rooms to do, two were 12x12 and the other 14x24. Had it done in 3 days.

[feb]

We replaced some linoleum in the kitchen and bathroom 10 years ago and all they used was glue. This cottage sits totally unheated and empty all winter long so it does experience temperature swings, just at a very slow pace. We haven't had any issues yet. But when I do visit in the winter to check in on the place the floor does creak when I walk around so I limit how much I walk on it.

[jetlag100]

My husband installed a tile floor in my Dads cottage years ago (not heated) and he (my Husband) is a professional installer..he told me that he used regular flooring adhesive. Once it's dry (installed at the proper temp.) it's dry. It won't freeze..that floor he installed years ago is probably still in the cottage. Never had a problem with it year after year.

[Outdoorsman]

I have used ADF Flooring (http://www.adfflooring.com/) in Concord NH for several jobs. First class work and very professional.

[SAB1]

I think it may matters what you use for product. Interlocking vinyl plank needs to float. If you glued it the shrinking and expanding would buckle the seams.