Brad, I know you have been a fan of the original Allure, but I was just wondering if you had an opinion of the flooring I have heard described as the click style waterproof vinyl plank flooring. I know it can be more expensive but the lack of the potential problem of the glue strip seems appealing. Also I understand it can be had with the attached sound reduction material on the bottom.

Any thoughts?

I'm getting a click luxury waterproof vinyl put into a new house. I have no idea how well it will work.

The biggest benefit of Allure, for rentals, is that it is very easy to remove and replace one plank if a tenant does some damage to the floor.

O.K., so let's just say I go with the original Allure, which I haven't yet decided, but if I do, I assume I need some form of underlayment, since it doesn't come with it already attached. What is recommended to reduce sound and what is a vapor barrier? Is it a different type of underlayment that also reduces sound or is it a separate item used in conjunction with a sound reduction underlayment?

Thank you for any and all advice.

When I remove the carpet and padding, I do have hardwood floors underneath. They would be in need of significant sanding and several coats of the appropriate finish. However, they are level. Does that affect what type of underlayment to use if I decide to go with Allure? Lastly, anyone think I should choose to go with refinishing the hardwood? It will not add to the rent I can get compared to Allure or some other type of vinyl planks. I have never used any of the old hardwood floors in the building.

Love the original Allure with Grip Strip.

Don't use an underlayment with it, you actually are not supposed to. If your floor is not smooth, overlay the floor with 1/4 inch plywood.

If vapor barrier is needed, you need to use either plastic (whatever the directions say - 10ml or 6 I believe) Or use RedGard on the floor.

This particular unit is above the carport so I don't think sound is a problem, but for those units in the future, how does allure perform concerning noise for tenants underneath the Allure flooring?

The only two story we've used it on was designed for it, with baffles between stories and concrete floors like commercial construction.

Lifeproof at Home Depot clicks together very well and has the pad on it, but does require a flat floor. You likely won’t have any problems clicking them together.

The Home Decorators brand at HD is a different matter. It is quite prone to having problems with clicking together and staying clicked together.

Allure requires no underlayment and you should not use one. It is more forgiving of floors that are not perfectly flat.

Products that require an underlayment or have an attached underlayment are going to be more effective for sound dampening. Allure or Home Decorators will not.

dino,

Laid several thousand feet of original sticky stip Allure and still loving it! Esp at turnover with a once over with a damp Swiffer. My housekeeper top coats it with MopNGlo and it looks fantastic!

Anything click lock seems much slower to install. My helper just did a laminate floor and it was PAINFUL!

My applicants really lke the original hardwood floors. Shop around for a god price on refinishing.Most have dark stains so we sand them to bare wood, apply a medium to dark stain, 2 coats of Lowes extra thick satin poly. Satin reduces the glare so the dings are hard to see.

Hardwood in IN. Vintage hardwood in an older home is SUPER IN. Hardwood will endure and is tough.

We just did 2 complete houses by sanding, staining, polying the original subfloor. Looks amazing!

So, my first choice is refinished hardwood. We get a WOW! factor that Allure does not get., so hopefully easier to rent an I like to think a few bucks higher rent.