Luan as Underlayment And Tools and Materials

 Luan as Underlayment And Tools and Materials


Vinyl flooring is strong and available in a rainbow of colors and patterns, making it a top choice in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Once installed, however, vinyl flooring forms tightly to the surface beneath it, showing uneven patches, bumps and depressions. Luan, a thin plywood underlayment material, is lightweight and not too difficult  install. Luan provides a smooth surface on which to install vinyl, it's not suitable for all types of vinyl flooring.



Luan Wood Video Series
Bending Luan Wood Video
Installing Luan Wood Video
Cutting and Installing Vinyl Over Luan
Installing Luan Over Subfloor
Laying laminate over Subfloor
Making Tile Flush With Subfloor
Attaching Luan To Subfloor
Working With Luan For Do It Yourselfers

Luan as Underlayment

It is 1/4 inch thick and it comes in 4-by-8 sheets. Being Made of mahogany, luan is manufactured by layering thin strips of mahogany at right angles and bonding them together under pressure to form large panels. The panels has a rough side and a smooth side. The smooth side faces upward when installing luan as an underlayment.

Tools and Materials

Setting luan requires a few basic carpenter equipment tools, like staple gun and a circular saw. A knife comes in handy for cutting the luan to fit around corners. Stock up on 1/4-inch crown staples that are 1 inch ilong. Luan installation doesn't require an adhesive between the subfloor and the luan, but if an adhesive is called for, choose a subfloor adhesive. A measuring tape and a chalk line are indispensable for making accurate cuts in the panels.

Installing Luan Panels

Luan installs on top of a subfloor since the sheets are not structurally sound and cannot take the place of a subfloor. Start in one corner of the room and lay a full sheet of luan perpendicular to the direction of the subfloor panels. Leave a 1/16 inch gap between the walls and the luan panel. Use a staple gun to insert 1/4-inch crown staples every 6 inches across the plane of the luan panel and every 2 inches along the edges. Install additional luan panels the same way, and leave a 1/16-inch expansion gap between panels.

Helpful Tips and Techniques

Use a chalk line as a guide on the backside of the panel. Cut luan with a circular saw from the backside to prevent splintering the face of the sheet. Luan is lightweight and thin enough that you can cut small areas from the front side with a utility knife. Make several medium-pressure cuts in the same groove rather than trying to cut through the panel with one forceful cut. Since vinyl flooring shows every bump and depression, it’s imperative that the staples are flush with, or slightly below, the surface of the luan. An easy way to check is by pulling the edge of a large metal taping knife over the surface of the luan. If any staples are sticking up – you’ll hear the clicking sound of metal hitting metal. Tap extending staples lightly with a hammer to drive them flush with the luan surface. Before installing the vinyl, sweep and vacuum all dust and small particles from the luan underlayment.

Things to Think About

When using luan as an underlayment for vinyl, it’s better to use sheet vinyl flooring as opposed to vinyl tile. Although luan offers a very smooth surface, it does not withstand moisture well and tends to swell and deteriorate when wet. The seams between vinyl tiles allow water from spills or mopping to soak into the luan, which can result in swollen plywood and lumps that are visible on the surface of the vinyl floor.

Thinking about Vinyl Flooring

Manufactured  flooring manufacturers list other types of underlayment that are similar  with their product. Some manufacturers will not warranty their vinyl product if you install it over luan, especially if you’re installing vinyl tiles. Alternatives include 3/8-inch, laminated AC-grade plywood and hardboard-type panels of a similar thickness.



Luan Wood Video Series
Bending Luan Wood Video
Installing Luan Wood Video
Cutting and Installing Vinyl Over Luan
Installing Luan Over Subfloor
Laying laminate over Subfloor
Making Tile Flush With Subfloor
Attaching Luan To Subfloor
Working With Luan For Do It Yourselfers