So You’re Thinking of Installing LifeProof Flooring?

I have had LifeProof Vinyl Plank Flooring from Home Depot in my home for over 3 years now and it’s the number one item I get asked about.

I thought I should just have a brain dump of all the things I get asked about, how I feel about it, do I regret it etc.

You can also find all of my other LifeProof Flooring posts and videos here.

The first time putting LifeProof flooring down was in our Kitchen. We had a leak with our refrigerator that ended up cracking the tile and creating a little damage to the subfloor. It was the perfect reason to get new flooring.

When I installed it I was in love. I love the color, the ease of installation and the overall look of it. It was actually the first time I have ever put in a drop and lock flooring.

I had put down Allure Traffic Master Grip Strip vinyl plank flooring in other parts of our house that is made by the same manufacture. Out of the two, LifeProof is my favorite.

One of the biggest questions I get asked is about the transition strips I have in the rooms. Let me tell you why I had to use them. I did our kitchen floor 6 months before the rest of the upstairs of our home. I had no idea that I would love this flooring so much…so 6 months later we put it in the rest of our home. That is why there is a transition strip in the door way of the kitchen as well as from the kitchen to the dining room.

As for the other transition strip from the dining room to the living room, that was not planned. When I got to that spot, there was a line in the floor. Our house is a modular home and it was the seem where it was put together. The seams were not even. I could not get the flooring to lay flat. So the solution I chose was to put a transition strip. Do wish it wasn’t there? Of course.

That is the reason for the transition strips. Also, they can be little difficult to find on the Home Depot website so here is the direct link to the transition strips.

This flooring is one of the easiest floorings I have ever done. I did our whole upstairs by myself. It took about 3 days but that is with breaks and two children that were 3 and almost 1. So we I could’t lay the floor during nap time etc.

If you are any bit handy, you can lay LifeProof flooring.

A few tips I have learned while laying LifeProof Vinyl Plank Flooring:

• You don’t need any special cutting tools to cut the flooring. You only need a straight edge and a utility knife to score and then snap the plank.
• If you come to an odd cut, I found it easy to use a jigsaw to cut the flooring.
• First measure wall to wall before laying down the planks. You should not have anything less that 12″ on either end. If you do cut the first plank accordingly.
• Make sure you’re opening a few boxes and pulling from each of them if you have a variety pattern like I do with Seasoned Wood.
• With odd cuts make a pattern with paper or cardboard first.
• Wear knee pads!

Frequently Asked Questions About LifeProof Flooring

What do I clean it with?

I use an all purpose cleaner. It’s a green cleaner and I add a few drops to warm water. You are not to use vinegar or a steam mop with this floor.

What about pets nails?

I don’t have a dog. I have one cat that doesn’t scratch the floor. I have furniture felt pads on all my furniture that sits on the floor. Even my dinning room chairs. That way when the kids are pushing them around I don’t have to worry about scratches.

Did I remove the baseboard moulding?

Yes. I like to remove it then put it back instead of purchasing quarter round to add around it. I think it looks cleaner.

Is there any noise when walking on it?

No. There should be no sounds when you walk on it. If you hear a snapping or some other sounds it is now laying flat and was put in incorrectly.

What pattern did you use with the multi-width planks?

I believe it was the third partner on the instructions but I kinda did my own thing where I needed to.

Tools for Installation:

• Flooring
• Tapping Block
• Mallet
• Utility Knife
• JigSaw

For More information, before and afters and even videos I have done on LifeProof Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring visit here.