How do I properly install click vinyl

Hello everyone,

in our new building, we plan to install click vinyl (ourselves) in some rooms. Especially in the basement, we find vinyl to be a suitable solution, but we are also currently considering using vinyl in the office and elsewhere. Our screed is already in place, and the heating program has been completed for 1-2 weeks. We should probably still have the residual moisture measured before we start laying it.

However, the question arises for us about the correct installation. We have cement screed throughout the house and basement. The whole house also has underfloor heating; in the basement, some rooms have underfloor heating, but not all the ones where we want to install vinyl. Under the screed, there is already impact sound insulation (I believe XPS) installed everywhere.

Can we generally lay vinyl directly on the screed, or is a foil or something similar needed between the screed and the vinyl? We probably don't need impact sound insulation anymore, right? Basically, the screed looks quite flat to us as laymen, but of course, there are screed joints between the rooms. Does the screed need to be sanded again before laying, or can we start right away?

Is there anything else we should consider when choosing the vinyl?

Thank you very much for your tips!

We are planning the same way and ended up with wineo. In our case, we even requested the exact build height from wineo so that we can plan the screed in such a way that we have perfect height transitions between the rooms/to the tiles. Wineo offers the appropriate underlay/impact sound insulation for every click vinyl. Their YouTube has great tutorials on installation and what to watch out for. Planeo also has a lot of tutorials on their channel. If you dive into it once, all your questions should be answered. If you still have questions, usually an employee will reply to you within a few hours on the YouTube comment. Since everything is still settling a bit, you do not lay over the screed joints but make a clean transition. For the vinyl, make sure it is compatible with underfloor heating. Remember the wall distance. Measure before laying the first row how wide the last row will be and calculate it once. This way you can avoid the last row becoming so narrow that it does not hold properly. It also looks better then.

Uh, yeah. I bought a Golf... when do I need to get an oil change and can I use diesel, since it’s cheaper at the gas station?

There are a felt 25 million click vinyls from 2 million manufacturers. Under certain circumstances (unlikely but possible) your chosen vinyl isn’t suitable for underfloor heating? Acoustic insulation integrated?

Basically, you have to follow the installation instructions of the manufacturer. If you don’t, you can forget claims in case of damage or warranty by 98%.

And... never take the expansion joint lightly. Always meet the minimum according to the manufacturer. A friend laid his vinyl almost touching the wall... after a year everything was ruined. That stuff expands...

.... Under the screed, there is already (impact sound) insulation laid everywhere (I think XPS).

Can we basically lay vinyl directly on the screed, or do we need a foil or something similar between the screed and vinyl? We actually don't need any impact sound insulation anymore, do we? Basically, the screed looks quite level to us as laymen, but of course there are screed joints between the rooms. Does the screed have to be sanded again before laying, or can we start right away?

Do we need to pay attention to anything else when choosing the vinyl?

Thank you very much for your tips!

The impact sound insulation under the screed has absolutely nothing to do with the impact sound insulation under the vinyl. At least one approved foil (allows the floating vinyl to slide) should be laid. Impact sound insulation for vinyl exists in a thousand variants (strengths, thicknesses, materials). Choose a variant from the manufacturer's list of approved products and install the same. Even desk workers with two left hands can do it themselves if they want to ;-)

Regarding sanding the screed, leveling compound, expansion joints, etc., a floor expert like would be appropriate here

Thank you very much for your detailed answers! I will actually consult the manufacturer of the flooring. I was not aware that vinyl could be constructed so differently. But learned something new again. :) Impact sound insulation is definitely a good idea. According to the product description, the click vinyls available are all suitable for underfloor heating at least. The expansion joint is definitely planned and spacers have also been ordered. :)

However, I have now read various opinions about the vapor barrier (between the screed and the impact sound insulation). Somehow, you read many different opinions? As far as I know, a vapor barrier has already been installed between the concrete and the insulation.

The additionally installed impact sound insulation, i.e., not integrated, sometimes also serves as a vapor barrier. Order samples and once you have found your covering, discuss everything with the manufacturer. The opinions on the internet are not relevant.