Home Vinyl Flooring Can I Install Laminate Flooring Over Vinyl Flooring?

Can I Install Laminate Flooring Over Vinyl Flooring?

by Bestlaminate
Published: Last Updated on 20 comments 4 minutes read

When installing new flooring, it is essential to ensure that the installation surface meets certain criteria. Before you begin, it’s crucial to properly prepare your subfloor. Here are some important steps to follow:

  1. Your installation surface must be sturdy, level, and in good condition.
  2. Clear away debris and thoroughly clean the area.
  3. If your subfloor doesn’t meet these requirements, it’s best not to proceed with installation.

Laminate flooring is a type of floating floor, which means it is not secured to the subfloor and instead “floats” on top. It expands and contracts with temperature changes, so it is crucial to install it on a sturdy surface to ensure its longevity.

It is important to note that floating floors like laminate or vinyl should never be installed over existing floating floors. This can create an unstable surface and lead to irreparable issues such as buckling, separating planks, and damage to the locking system.

Installing Over Vinyl Flooring

When it comes to installing over vinyl, the guidelines differ depending on the type of vinyl flooring.

Floating Vinyl Flooring

For floating floors like vinyl planks, it is generally not recommended to install laminate flooring on top. It is best to remove the existing flooring and thoroughly prepare the surface before installation.

Glue Down Vinyl Flooring

For glue down vinyl, as long as the existing flooring is sturdy and in good condition, you can install laminate flooring on top. However, if there are any signs of peeling, gaps, or damage, it should not be used as a subfloor. An underlayment will still be needed over a glue down vinyl subfloor.

Sheet Vinyl Flooring

For sheet vinyl, you can install laminate flooring on top as long as the existing flooring is sturdy and in good condition. It is important to choose the appropriate underlayment for your project.

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If you decide to install laminate flooring over vinyl flooring, it is crucial to ensure that your subfloor is in good condition. With proper preparation, you can enjoy your new floors for many years to come.

If you have any questions, please write them in the comments below or call us at 1-800-520-0961 and our sales representatives can help you with your purchase!

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20 comments

Dan March 23, 2023 - 8:37 am

I have a glued down sheet vinyl floor in good condition, on top of a heated cement slab. Can I install another floor over top ? if so which floor material will allow the transfer of the i floor heating best.

Reply
Rachel Vahcic March 23, 2023 - 4:37 pm

Thanks for your question, Dan! You can install flooring on top of the sheet vinyl as long as it is level. We would suggest using vinyl plank flooring as it is 100% waterproof, easy to install and extremely durable!

Reply
Michael February 16, 2023 - 3:00 pm

I have a glue down vinyl floor. I want to install a waterproof laminate over that. Any water that would get between the two floors would not be able to evaporate. I am worried about mold. Would an underlayment solve this problem?

Reply
Rachel Vahcic February 17, 2023 - 9:26 am

Thanks for your question, Michael. As long as your floor is level, you can install directly over the glue down flooring. Most laminates do require an underlayment so we would suggest using one with an attached vapor barrier.

Reply
Francine H Jackson March 13, 2021 - 12:17 pm

I have vinyl plank flooring with the attached underlayment. It is almost a year old but I am just not happy with it. It is installed over concrete subfloor. It is good quality vinyl flooring. Ca I install engineering wood or lqminq53 over it?

Reply
Vanessa March 16, 2021 - 9:25 am

Hi Francine! If the vinyl that you have is a floating floor, you would have to uninstall that vinyl in order to replace it with laminate or engineered wood. If the vinyl is glued down to your subfloor, you would be able to install a floating laminate or floating engineered wood over top.

Reply
joe May 19, 2020 - 9:42 pm

I have cement floors and can not get up all the 12″x12″ vinyl tiles for someone used some adhesive to glue them down Can I put 7mm laminate down with a 2 in 1 underlayment?

Reply
Alana Kane May 29, 2020 - 6:31 am

Hi Joe, thanks for the question. You can install laminate over the tile as long as you have a level starting point. You may need to use concrete leveler to create a smooth surface before you begin your installation.

Reply
Lee February 7, 2020 - 8:42 am

I have sheet vinyl over 1/4″ luan underlayment in my kitchen, and carpet in my dining room. I intend to remove the carpet and install 1/4″ luan over top of subfloor in the dining room. My intention is to install Cortec Pro Plus SPC planks so to make one entire floor in both rooms. I want to leave the sheet vinyl in place in the kitchen. Will the slight transition (approx. 1/16″) at the end of the existing vinyl cause any problem, or show up in the finished floor? The vinyl planks will be crossing the transition perpendicular to the end of the sheet vinyl.
Thank you for your advice.

Reply
Alana Kane February 8, 2020 - 12:53 am

Hi Lee, thanks for the question. I would add a transition t-molding or reducer between the kitchen and dining room to transition room to room without issues. I hope that helps! If you need more COREtec information, give us a call at 800-520-0961

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