One of the numerous impactful renovations for manufactured homes is flooring promotions. The most common fabric for this is vinyl plank flooring because it is affordable, durable, and adaptable.
How about putting vinyl plank flooring into a manufactured home? The answer is yes! In this guide, you’ll learn how to install and tips for choosing the right vinyl plank flooring.
Key Takeaways
- Vinyl plank flooring is highly suitable for manufactured homes due to its resilience, water resistance, and easy maintenance.
- Proper planning and installation can make vinyl plank flooring a lasting investment for manufactured homes.
- Key factors to consider include flooring thickness, underlayment, and climate considerations.
Why Choose Vinyl Plank Flooring for Manufactured Homes?
Vinyl plank flooring evolved as a hit in history time, because of how much more valuable it performs than the old means such as carpet or laminate.
- Affordable: Vinyl plank flooring is one of the numerous affordable choices available, running from about $2 to $5 per fair foot to hardwood or rock.
- Durable and Resilient: The prevalence of Vinyl Plank Floors are Scratches Resistant and Excellent High-Traffic Areas. Perfect for those who have relatively narrow floors inside manufactured homes.
- Water Resistant: Usually, vinyl planks are watertight and well-suited for areas that are inclined to moisture like kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms.
- Low-maintenance: People with a wild schedule or who just despise long cleaning would certainly love vinyl plank flooring as they are rather hidden in terms of care.
For manufactured homeowners in pursuit of a modern but still affordable flooring choice, vinyl plank flooring creates an excellent option.
Different Types of Vinyl Plank Flooring for Manufactured Homes
Understanding the kinds of vinyl plank flooring can help you decide which one is most suitable for your manufactured home. The major types include Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): A higher-grade plank designed to mimic real wood or stone with a natural formation.
LVP is a little thicker and more durable compared to laminate flooring. Waterproof Vinyl Plank: Best for the wettest spaces, waterproof vinyl plank provides the highest water resistance level.
Rigid Core Vinyl: Has an additional more solid core layer that provides stability and durability, ideal for manufactured homes since it is less susceptible to temperature changes. Choosing the right kind will depend on your lifestyle requirements, budget, and even the better room where it shall be installed.
Preparation and Planning: Key Steps Before Installation
Implement these essential steps before installing vinyl plank flooring to make the process a breeze:
- Check the Subfloor: Look for signs of damage on your existing subfloor (i.e. cracks, moisture problems) and repair it accordingly.
- Step 1: Measure Your Floor Space – The very first step is to get accurate measurements for the area of the room that you need to cover with vinyl planks. It is suggested to purchase additional fabric because there will always be cutting waste.
- Select a Suitable Underlayment: Select vinyl planks need to equip underlayment that safeguards the subfloor from wear while providing insulation. Check if your vinyl type already has an underlayment or what underlayment it is compatible with.
- Let Them Acclimate: The LVP needs 24-48 hours to acclimate to the temperature and relative humidity of your home.
This helps protect from buckling, creeping, or warping post-install. Proper preparation makes for an easy, enduring vinyl plank floor in your manufactured house.
Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Vinyl Plank Flooring
Here’s a short guide to establishing vinyl plank flooring:
Step 1: Lay the Underlayment (if necessary)
- Lay the underlayment in rows, overlying seams slightly to provide full range.
Step 2: Start Laying the Vinyl Planks
- Start from a hub of the room, putting the first row of planks with spacers to keep a small gap between the wall and the planks.
Step 3: Cut Planks to Fit
- Bar and cut the planks as required for the advantages of using a utility blade.
Step 4: Install Successive Rows
- Use a staggered design for each row to form a more realistic look.
Step 5: Final Touches and Clean-Up
- Remove the spacers, add baseboards, and wash up to show your recently established flooring.
By pursuing this course, you can reach a professional-looking floor that improves the aesthetics and functionality of your home.
Best Practices for Maintaining Vinyl Plank Flooring
While vinyl plank flooring requires minimal maintenance, here are some tricks to keep it looking just like new:
- Regular Cleaning: Regularly sweep and mop with a gentle cleaner to avoid scuffing the surface of the floor.
- Limit Water: While vinyl is relatively water-resistant, too much excess water can enter the seams and cause internal damage.
- Floor Protectors — Apply pads on furniture legs to avoid scratches.
Following these procedures will keep your floor as beautiful and stable as the day it was installed.
Climate Considerations: Managing Expansion and Contraction
Because manufactured homes can have extreme temperature changes, you need to account for expansion and contraction with vinyl plank flooring.
Those vinyl planks that aren’t glued or nailed down are called floating, and they tend to be more forgiving of temperature fluctuations. Choosing an underlayment appropriate for temperature differences can also assist in floor stabilization.
Choosing the Right Thickness and Wear Layer for Durability
Vinyl plank flooring comes in various thicknesses, which can impact its comfort, durability, and resilience. Here’s a quick overview:
| Vinyl Thickness | Ideal Use |
| 2-3 mm | Light traffic, low-cost areas like bedrooms |
| 4-5 mm | Moderate traffic areas, living rooms |
| 6 mm+ | Heavy traffic, kitchens, and entryways |
For the wear layer, opt for at least 12 mils for general use and 20+ mils for high-traffic areas. Thicker vinyl planks are more comfortable underfoot and offer greater sound insulation.
Pros and Cons of Vinyl Plank Flooring in Manufactured Homes
For a balanced perspective on the disadvantages and advantages of vinyl plank flooring, we have this:
- Pros: If a homeowner is on the lookout for a more cost-effective solution, then this workwear can also do wonders. Waterproof: For places that see a lot of moisture. Lifespan: Resists scratches and normal wear.
- Cons: Risk of Fading: Direct sunlight for long periods may eventually fade. Vulnerable to Sharp Items: If sharp items are thrown, they can cause some disrepair.
Weighing these advantages and disadvantages will assist you in deciding if vinyl plank flooring is right for your manufactured home.
Conclusion
Can you put vinyl plank flooring in a manufactured home? Absolutely! If you’re looking to update your manufactured home with gorgeous, long-lasting floors on a budget, vinyl plank flooring is an amazing choice.
Vinyl plank flooring is the ideal solution whether you need it to be waterproof, require low maintenance, or want the look of real wood. What do you think? Could vinyl plank flooring be the answer to your manufactured home questions? Tell us in the comments—and check out our other blogs for more tricks on home improvement!