vinyl flooring for unheated camp

spauldeen · 12-30-2015, 11:19 AM

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 · 12-30-2015, 11:38 AM

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 · 12-30-2015, 11:42 AM

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 · 12-30-2015, 11:45 AM

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 · 12-31-2015, 05:37 PM

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 · 12-31-2015, 05:55 PM

I have used ADF Flooring in Concord NH for several jobs. First class work and very professional.

SAB1 · 12-31-2015, 07:17 PM

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.

12-30-2015, 11:19 AM	#1
spauldeen Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	vinyl flooring for unheated camp 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.

12-30-2015, 11:45 AM	#4
feb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Meredith (Winnisquam) & Nashua, NH Posts: 209 Thanks: 25 Thanked 20 Times in 17 Posts	Worked for me so far 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.

12-31-2015, 05:37 PM	#5
jetlag100 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Revere, Massachusetts and Moultonborough, N.H. Posts: 311 Thanks: 228 Thanked 79 Times in 50 Posts	Flooring adhesive 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. Last edited by jetlag100; 01-01-2016 at 09:39 AM.

12-30-2015, 11:38 AM	#2
SAB1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 1,165 Thanks: 182 Thanked 297 Times in 220 Posts	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.

12-30-2015, 11:42 AM	#3
SAB1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 1,165 Thanks: 182 Thanked 297 Times in 220 Posts	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.

12-31-2015, 05:55 PM	#6
Outdoorsman Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 815 Thanks: 113 Thanked 193 Times in 126 Posts	I have used ADF Flooring in Concord NH for several jobs. First class work and very professional.

12-31-2015, 07:17 PM	#7
SAB1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 1,165 Thanks: 182 Thanked 297 Times in 220 Posts	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.