All Forum Posts by: Daria B.

 Yes you are correct. The store LL folks were not any help at all, which is why I called the company tech support and at least they knew the products.

I would love to not have to pay for underlayment. 

Investors are 50/50 install/don’t install. Stores of course want to sell but I have had store sales people also say it’s not necessary - but it could be done if I were wanting to 1st, not mess up the warranty given the 6mil plastic mentioned in the install instructions, and 2, use it if the floor isn’t necessarily level or want to have added buffer for sound.

This property is also in MD where it gets cold. The slab is a finished walk in level of that makes a difference. I don’t know of that’s considered at-grade level.

 At this point I think flooring is the worse ever to pick out. I thought I would have this issue with kitchen cabinets but that was the simplest of all decisions.

 I wish I had time but the contractors need to keep moving and I don’t want them to stop all because I can’t get the flooring. I have been dealing with a lot of sales personnel that do not know their product. It’s been research and read research and read. 

When I spoke with the LL tech it was “recommended” speak on certain things like this product does not require underlayment caveat that by having specific concrete and wood subfloor sections in the installation instructions that should be abide by. So while it does not require underlayment, it is recommended if wanting to dense the sound more when walking over top or added protection for moisture.

I also looked to the contractor for knowledge and in their experience it’s what ever products they have installed and what worked - that’s if anyone has come back and said “hey I have a problem with the floor”.

@Keith Lewis

According to the installation instructions and the tech at LL I called, both say put down the 6mil plastic over concrete and then the underlayment. This is just for the concrete. 

Several manufacturers reference the 6mil over concrete at install, otherwise, something about the warranty being voided or the fact they give the buyer a hard time if there are issues. 

It’s a townhouse 3-lvl, 1st lvl walk in so the entire lower level is concrete heated space. Upper 2-lvls are OSB/plywood that was covered in carpet from onset of new construction. Flooring has never been finished where the carpet was installed.

To-date, there have never been moisture issues that I was aware of.

This flooring does not have an attached pad.

@Account Closed

I too did the same thing, every store look-touch-feel-experience. 

In my case, it's a rental and I have a budget that is already looming over. Mostly because I underestimated what I thought flooring would cost. I got 3 contractor estimates and who I choose so far I am pleased with - they are right on top of everything. So for Home Depot even with a contractors reduction, it was too much. All in all I didn't do too bad and likely am overboard on what I feel is good-bad-indifferent on some cost because I am a frugal person. LOL I do shop around and also want the better-best quality for a good price-point that I can live with.

Regarding the environment, I should have been thinking of that as well but it was not something that was at the top of my list. I think I did ok and do not see anything in the specs on this particular flooring so hopefully I am good to go. 

@Kevin Sobilo Thanks!

I am putting down plank and not tile. I looked back and didn't see if I mistakenly said it was tile. This flooring is a LVP that is going over concrete and wood subfloor.

@Keith Lewis

Thank you for the info!

Isn't LVT (tile)? I am putting down LVP (plank). 

Some of the investors in my group swear against LL for many other reasons. 

I have tried several other flooring stores through all of their products with no luck in product and/or pricing and it came down to getting it from LL because my contractor could get a better price. I would have liked to get the flooring from Floor n Decor but the Gaithersburg MD store was sorely lacking what I wanted to get and was discounting products so quickly that I couldn't get anything in the quantity I needed.

After much more research and speaking with LL tech support about their recommended underlayment, I was reminded about the 6mil (also in the installation instructions) that needs to go down over the concrete.

 Hadn't thought of the seams, thanks for that tip.

The 6mil vapor barrier must be consistent throughout all manufactures. Home Depot said the same thing for one of their products. The sales associate actually said if that is not done then it would possibly void the warranty and the company would likely not honor it.

I managed to find their installation instructions and it actually says underlayment is not required but obviously can be done. Caveat that by saying the 6mil still needs to be done for concrete.

 It's a click lock. 

Tranquility XD is the brand from Lumber Liquidators 4mm Edgewater Oak Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) Flooring - 50 Year Warranty

They talk about installing over Hydronic Radiant heating systems but nothing of concrete or wood subfloor.

The web site does not have any information on the floor for underlayment specific. I had to ask at the store, which is where I get differing opinions from the sales people. Trying to find someone who really knows about the product and not just sell me something has been challenging.