When it comes to flooring options, you might be surprised by all of the different options you have available. One of those is LifeProof flooring. Can you put it on stairs?
LifeProof flooring can be installed on stairs but you have to glue it to the stair. Even if you are using a type of flooring that snaps together with tongue and groove, any floor that goes on the stairs should be glued down.
As you will learn in this article, the reason why LifeProof flooring must be glued to the floor when you put it on stairs is for safety reasons. Of course, as a type of luxury vinyl plank, it is going down in any room so this is not going to be anything new.
When you put this or any other luxury vinyl floor on the stairs, you really have something that is beautiful and will work well with the rest of the home. That being said, it is something to consider because of all of the options that are available.
Can You Put Lifeproof Flooring On Stairs? (How To)
One important thing to keep in mind when choosing a type of floor is exactly what you are getting. Most people choose LifeProof because they trust Home Depot or because they feel it must be a good choice because they saw an advertisement for it.
To be certain, there are benefits to purchasing LifeProof vinyl flooring, even when you compare it to other types of luxury vinyl plank. Perhaps the biggest benefit is the fact that it is less expensive than other types of vinyl flooring for the most part.
At the same time, however, you need to recognize that it is also something that is advertised heavily. More than likely, you have seen your fair share of LifeProof vinyl flooring commercials, and that is because Home Depot tries to sell it through those means.
Aside from the fact that it is advertised frequently, there are some benefits to the flooring that make it a good choice. This includes the fact that it is low VOC, which is important when considering vinyl.
Vinyl floor is made out of the same material as PVC. In most cases, it tends to leach out volatile organic compounds into the air for a very long time. You still get those VOCs when you purchase LifeProof flooring, but you just get fewer of them.
It’s also a good choice to put on stairs because it is lightweight and thin. Since you are gluing it to the floor when you put it on the stairs, it goes down easily.
You also don’t need any type of underlayment because LifeProof flooring has its own underlayment. A number of brands also provide this benefit, but if you are going with LifeProof flooring in other parts of your home, why not simply carry it over to the stairs?
We will now consider some of the benefits and issues associated with LifeProof and similar types of vinyl plank flooring. Will then look into how to install this type of floor properly.
Should You Put Lifeproof Flooring On Stairs?
When you do any DIY home project, it’s always a good idea to consider both the good and the bad associated with it. We’ve already considered some of the good, so what are the potential problems of installing LifeProof flooring on stairs?
Warranty – It is always a good idea to consider the warranty and most people recognize that LifeProof flooring has a good warranty policy in place. There is something that you may not know about this warranty, however, and it can really make a difference in whether you choose it or not.
LifeProof does offer a warranty but it does not cover anyone who purchases the home after the flooring is in place. It is only for the first owner, so the resale value of LifeProof flooring is not necessarily where it should be.
Damage – You might be choosing LifeProof flooring because you found out that it is easy to install. When you install it on stairs, however, it has to be glued to the floor and that creates a problem in some cases.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 18, 2022.
Since it is possible to damage LifeProof flooring, what happens if it gets damaged on the stairs? It is going to be difficult to tear up the floor on the stairs to put new down, so it is something to keep in mind.
Admittedly, this is an issue with any vinyl plank flooring you put on the stairs, but it is still a problem, nonetheless.
Indoors Only – Many people who have put down LifeProof flooring said that it doesn’t do well when it comes to direct sunlight. That is why it is typically best used inside rather than outside.
You can put it outdoors and it will stand up to the elements, but it may end up fading if the sun hits the stairs throughout the day regularly.
Environment – One of the big problems with vinyl plank flooring, including LifeProof flooring is the fact that it will leach VOCs into the atmosphere. Admittedly, LifeProof is known as a low VOC option, but it is still going to have those VOCs, nonetheless.
In addition, it’s not environmentally sustainable or friendly because you can’t recycle it. You will be able to live on the floor for a decade or more but once it comes up, it goes straight into the trash heap.
These are just some of the things to consider when choosing LifeProof flooring for your stairs. If you have your mind made up and are ready to proceed, let’s consider how to get the job done.
What Tools Do You Need To Put Lifeproof Flooring On Stairs?
You’re going to need some special tools for putting down LifeProof flooring when you install it on stairs. Fortunately, the tools are minimal but you will still need to get them together in advance. Gather the following:
Broom and Dust Pan
Belt Sander
Scraper
Hammer
Non-Marring Rubber Mallet
Tape Measure
Level
Straight Edge
T-Square
Utility Knife with Blades
Stair Tread Gauge
Floor Roller
Brush or Sponge for Glue
What Preparations Do You Need To Put Lifeproof Flooring On Stairs?
Preparing for a project is always going to be an important part of getting the job done. This is especially true when you are installing LifeProof flooring or any other flooring on stairs. After all, you need the job to go well because you don’t want to create a hazard.
Flooring Removal – If there is any existing flooring on the stairs, it should be removed prior to putting down the vinyl plank flooring. You should also remove the trim so that you are down to the subfloor.
Measure – Make sure that you have enough vinyl plank flooring for the job. You don’t want any seams from left to right on the stairs, so you will be cutting full pieces. There can be a lot of waste in the process.
Repair – If there are any damaged stairs or anything that shows up after you remove the old flooring, it should be repaired at this point. This includes any squeaks or groans that may have been heard in the old flooring. These will also transfer over to the LifeProof flooring.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 18, 2022.
Nails and Screws – Carefully look at the stairs and run a scraper over them to see if there are any protrusions, such as nail heads or screws. You need everything to be level, so make sure there are no protrusions.
Clean – As a final step, sweep the stairs and remove all of the dust and dirt. Any dirt on the stairs could show up under the vinyl and any dust will keep it from adhering.
How To Put Lifeproof Flooring On Stairs
Now is the time when you actually put the flooring down. It’s an exciting part of the project and one that can make you proud of your work.
Cut Plank – After measuring the width of the stair, you should begin cutting the planks to that measurement. You want to be as precise as possible, even if things don’t quite square up properly.
Fortunately, it is easy to cut vinyl plank flooring, such as LifeProof flooring. Mark the tile using a square and then cut it using a straight edge and utility knife. After scoring the title, flip it over and bend it backward. It will snap along the edge.
Dry Run – Before you make any permanent changes and begin gluing down the floor, you should place it into position dry. You do this to make sure everything fits properly before the actual installation takes place.
When removing the floor after installing it dry, make sure you stack it in a way that you are pulling from the top. This will make it much easier for you to glue it down.
Glue – Spread the glue over the bottom of the LifeProof flooring. You can then put it in place and press it down to secure it.
Stair Nose – Cut the stair nose to size. If it includes a shim, the shim should be going down first and the nose applied on top of it. Otherwise, you should glue the nosing and put it over the tread so it covers the edge of the stair.
Roll – As a final step in the process, rent a floor roller and make sure that everything adheres properly. This is also something that will be done naturally as you use the stairs.
You can put LifeProof flooring on stairs but it has to be glued down. Clean the subfloor on the stairs and repair any damage. Afterward, you can cut the LifeProof flooring and glue it to the subfloor. Finish things off with a matching nosepiece.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 18, 2022.