Why are you not supposed to lay vinyl flooring over luan?

Question

We bought vinyl flooring after installing our floors topped with luan got the box home and read that you are not supposed to install over luan. Why?

Answer 1

all good answers but the correct answer is that if u were to take lauan plywood and cut it u will see voids in the 3 or 4 plys....the void is the reason that lauan is not recommended for vinyl and will void the warranty....

lic. gen. contractor

Answer 2

lauan is the underlayment of choice for sheet vinyl, as long as it is rated as exterior, has water resistant glue. am not really sure what you are reading.  you will be fine. just make sure all seams and staples\nails are skimmed over.

Answer 3

although I have installed vinyl over luan in the past, I am hesitant to do it in the future......the problem I think that they are talking about is when the glue is applied, the top layer of the wood on the luan can peel away from the rest of the wood  causing the vinyl to pucker in certain spots...I install a lot of vinyl over luan and have had this problem only a couple of times, but if I were you and you have already installed the luan go ahead with the installation just before you put the vinyl over the adhesive make sure you don't notice the wood peeling away in any spots........

Answer 4

My understanding is that lauan is soft and may not properly support the vinyl (especially if it is a thinner one), so that it will dent.  Also, lauan is not as high-quality now as formerly, so it may delaminate especially in wet areas like kitchen and bath.