ᐅ How to Properly Install Click-Lock Vinyl Flooring

Hello everyone,

In our new build, we are planning to install click vinyl flooring ourselves in some rooms. We find vinyl particularly suitable for the basement, but we are also currently considering using vinyl in the office and other areas. Our screed is already installed, and the heating program was completed 1–2 weeks ago. We will probably still have the residual moisture measured before starting the installation.

However, we have questions about the correct installation method. The entire house and basement have a cement screed. The whole house also has underfloor heating, and in the basement some rooms have underfloor heating, but not all the rooms where we want to install vinyl. There is already an impact sound insulation layer (I believe XPS) installed under the screed everywhere.

Can we generally install vinyl directly on the screed, or is a membrane or something similar needed between the screed and vinyl? We technically don’t need additional impact sound insulation, right? From a layperson’s perspective, the screed looks fairly level, but of course there are screed expansion joints between the rooms. Does the screed need to be sanded again before installation, or can we start right away?

Is there anything else we should consider when choosing the vinyl?

Thank you very much for your advice!

We planned the same way and ended up choosing wineo. In our case, we even requested the exact installation height from wineo so we could plan the screed accordingly, ensuring perfect height transitions between rooms and to the tiles.

Wineo offers the appropriate underlayment and impact sound insulation for each click vinyl product. Their YouTube channel has excellent tutorials on installation and important things to watch out for. Planeo also has many useful tutorials on their channel.

If you dive into these resources, most of your questions should be answered. If you still have questions, an employee usually replies to YouTube comments within a few hours.

Since everything is still settling, you should not cover screed joints but create a clean transition. Make sure the vinyl you choose is compatible with underfloor heating. Remember to leave an expansion gap at the walls. Before laying the first row, measure how wide the last row will be and calculate it carefully. This way, you can avoid the last row becoming too narrow to fix properly, which also improves the overall look.

Um, yes. I bought a Golf... When do I need to get an oil change, and can I use diesel fuel since it's cheaper at the gas station?

There seem to be about 25 million click vinyl options from 2 million manufacturers. It is possible (though unlikely) that the vinyl you chose is not suitable for underfloor heating.
Is impact sound insulation integrated?

Basically, you must follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
If you don’t, you can forget about any claims for damages or warranty cover in 98% of cases.

And... never underestimate the expansion joint under any circumstances. Always meet the manufacturer’s minimum requirements.
A friend installed his vinyl almost touching the wall... after a year, it was all ruined. The material expands and contracts...

julian113 schrieb:

.... Underneath the screed, there is already impact sound insulation (I think XPS) installed everywhere.

Can we generally install vinyl flooring directly on the screed, or is a membrane or something similar needed between the screed and the vinyl? We probably don’t need impact sound insulation anymore, right? From our perspective as laypersons, the screed looks quite level overall, but there are naturally screed joints between the rooms. Does the screed need to be sanded again before installation, or can we start right away?

Is there anything else we should consider when selecting the vinyl?

Thank you very much for your advice!

The impact sound insulation beneath the screed has absolutely nothing to do with the impact sound insulation required under the vinyl. At least one approved membrane (which allows the floating vinyl floor to slide) should be installed. Impact sound insulation for vinyl comes in thousands of variations (different densities, thicknesses, materials). Choose an option from the manufacturer’s list of approved products and install exactly that. Even desk workers with two left hands can manage this as a DIY job if they want to ;-)

Regarding sanding the screed, leveling compounds, expansion joints, etc., a flooring expert like @KlaRa would be the right person to ask.

Thank you very much for your detailed responses! I will definitely consult the floor manufacturer. I wasn’t aware that vinyl flooring could have such different constructions. Learned something new. 🙂

It seems that impact sound insulation is definitely needed. According to the product descriptions, all the click vinyl options available are suitable for underfloor heating.

An expansion joint is definitely planned, and spacers have also been ordered. 🙂

However, I have come across various opinions regarding the vapor barrier (between the screed and the impact sound insulation). There seem to be many different views on this. As far as I know, a vapor barrier has already been installed between the concrete and the insulation.

The additional impact sound insulation layers, which are not integrated, sometimes also serve as a vapor barrier. Order samples, and once you have chosen your flooring, discuss everything with the manufacturer. Opinions found online are not relevant.