In an upstairs unit of our 1970s fourplex we ripped out carpeting in order to install Allure LVP to clean/beautify/unify three areas, which had three different floorings--LivingRoom, Kitchen, and Bathroom. The existing flooring underneath is simply MDF board over floor joists. We're concerned about doing a good job on the installation of the LVP adhesive planks. To that end I have several inter-related questions here for ya'll. Please feel free to address any or all of them.

1) How important is it to level the flooring areas completely level with each other? We don't plan to have any transition pieces, although perhaps we should.

--Should we pull/scrape off the current linoleum squares in the kitchen? We spent a boatload of time working to get several layers of linoleum/congoleum up off the bathroom floor and still didn't get it all off. We're not excited about scraping off more in the kitchen but we'll do it if it's essential. We used floor self-leveller around the toilet, which was obviously not level with the rest.

2) Should we put down underlayment?

-- If so, what kind?

3) (Now that I have the carpet pulled up!) I am concerned about noise carrying into the downstairs unit with the carpet and padding being gone. I've just spent a bunch of time researching soundproofing methods-- acoustic underlayment, acoustic mat, damping compound, Safe'nSound insulation, cork, Green Glue vs. Quiet Glue Pro, etc. and I'm just confuzulcated now. Do we need soundproofing? If we do, what kind (s) would you suggest as best? Can we combine sound-proofing with/into underlayment?

We are just starting to replace old carpeting with the LVP flooring. In fact, I have had applicants tell us they prefer "hard" floors -- citing they are easier to clean, look better and more up-to-date. Plus if they have allergies, it is a big plus.

One question we did have is do you still use regular vinyl in the baths and kitchen, or just use the LVP throughout the whole unit (we have apartments)?

aimee,

Carpet is out of fashion. Of the last 5 leases I signed 4 new residents made a point of telling me they loved the house because it did NOT have carpet. I did not ask #5.

People want carpet free.

MDF is made of sawdust and is perfectly smooth. My guess is you have OSB Oriented Strand Board which is chips of wood glued into a flat sheet and used for subfloors.

I have not used LVP. For Allure: Cracks and bumps will show thru so the surface must be smooth.

Some OSB is rough and you’ll need to spread a thin coat of levelling compound or crack filler.