underlayment for SPC floors

last year

I’ll be in installing SPC floors in a few months and need some advice about the underlayment.

Situation:
We currently have wood floors and they squeak every where. We also hear every footstep when someone is walking upstairs.Some of our subfloors are uneven and they will be replacing those.

Contractor recommendation:
My contractor said he must install luan sheeting (no clue what this is) to help with the sound and squeak. Good old ChatGPT is advising not to use luan for various reasons.

Question:
I’m confused. Please help me as you can imagine all of this is costing a lot of money and I want to get it right. Should we or should we not use luan sheeting? Is there
Something else better?

Thank you in advance!!

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Comments (7)

cat_ky
last year
Plywood should be used, rather than luan. Luan is not for floors.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
Luan is fine to create a smooth surface for under linoleum. It won’t address any of the problems you mention. Interview more contractors, this isn’t your guy.
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PRO
PPF.
last year
last modified: last year
Plywood should be used, rather than luan

In this case, luan is plywood.

Luan is not for floors

Luan has been used for underlayment for a very long time.

I’m confused

Discuss with your contractor. Ask them how they will mitigate sounds, and how they will eliminate squeaks. Ask how they will correct the uneven subfloor. Ask why they intend to install luan and how it will help with sound and squeaks.
dblmnt1x
Original Author
last year
Thank you! To clarify, he never implied this will stop the squeaking. He is going to reinforce the existing subfloor with screws and replace any that need to be replaced. He wants to add the luan for 2 reasons 1) to create a smooth surface and 2)build up the floor since I’m going from wood to SPC so that we can try and avoid replacing my baseboards.
millworkman
last year
Make certain that the underlayment used is approved for use under the SPC floors you are installing. All manufacturers will tell you what they allow there floors to be installed over and the level of flatness required. Pay heed to this if you want an actual product warranty.
dblmnt1x
Original Author
last year
Says I don’t think nothing, as long as the subfloor is clean and flat. Technically the underlayment is attached (a1.5 mm antibacterial underlayment)
PRO
Minardi
last year
You are not digging close enough in the specs, warranty, and installation instruction. Your subfloors must be flat to 3/16" in 10', have a vapor management system installed, and there must not be any additional cushioned underlay.