Timber Flooring Over Existing Vinyl
- Feb 25
- 3 min read
How to Prepare Difficult Subfloors for a Perfect Oak Finish
Renovation projects often uncover legacy floor coverings such as old vinyl or lino that are not easily removed. In many New Zealand homes, particularly mid-century builds, vinyl has been installed directly over concrete or fibre cement substrates using strong adhesives that can be extremely difficult, time-consuming, and costly to remove without damaging the subfloor.
When vinyl or lino cannot be fully removed, the correct preparation of the subfloor becomes critical to the long-term performance of your new timber flooring.
At Marchand Luxury Oak, correct substrate preparation is a non-negotiable part of our installation and warranty requirements.
This guide outlines best-practice preparation for floors where existing vinyl or lino remains in place and levelling compounds such as Stopgap 1200 or equivalent fast-track levellers are required.
Step 1: Assess the Existing Vinyl or Lino to lay timber Flooring Over Existing Vinyl
Not all vinyl floors are suitable to be overlaid. Before proceeding, try and lift the vinyl first, otherwise ensure:
The vinyl is well bonded and stable, with no lifting, bubbling, or moisture issues.
There are no signs of moisture ingress, mould, or soft patches beneath the vinyl.
The floor is structurally sound with no movement.
Any loose, damaged, or contaminated areas of vinyl must be removed prior to levelling.
Step 2: Grind and Sand Exposed Substrate Areas
Where vinyl has already been removed in patches, or where edges and corners are exposed:
Mechanically sand or grind these areas to remove old adhesive residues and create a clean, sound surface.
Feather the edges where vinyl meets bare concrete or substrate to reduce height variation.
This step is critical to ensure the levelling compound bonds evenly across mixed surfaces.
Step 3: Vacuum Thoroughly
Before priming or levelling:
Give the entire floor a thorough vacuum using a high-powered industrial vacuum.
Ensure all dust, grit, debris, and loose particles are removed.
Step 4: Prime the Floor to Lay Timber Flooring Over Existing Vinyl
All substrates, including existing vinyl and exposed concrete, must be primed:
Apply the primer evenly across the entire floor surface.
Allow the primer to fully dry in accordance with the technical data sheet before proceeding.
Step 5: Apply the Levelling Compound
Where vinyl cannot be removed, a high-performance smoothing compound such as Stopgap 1200 (or fast track30) is used to create a uniform, stable surface for timber flooring installation.
Key requirements:
Floor height deviation should not exceed approximately 3 mm over 3 m.
Once poured:
Use a spiked roller to de-aerate the compound and achieve the best possible surface finish.
Allow the compound to cure fully before any timber installation begins.
Why This Matters for Timber Flooring Performance
Timber flooring is only as good as the surface it is installed on. Uneven, unstable, or poorly bonded substrates can lead to:
Hollow spots
Movement or deflection
Premature wear
Noise underfoot
Long-term performance issues
Correct preparation ensures:
A perfectly flat finished floor
Maximum adhesion of adhesives
Long-term stability of engineered oak boards
Protection of your Marchand flooring warranty
Summary
Levelling over existing vinyl or lino is absolutely achievable to lay timber flooring over existing vinyl, but only when the correct process, materials, and preparation standards are followed. Cutting corners at the substrate stage will almost always lead to issues later.
At Marchand Luxury Oak, we strongly recommend installers engage qualified flooring preparation specialists and follow manufacturer specifications closely to ensure your floor performs beautifully for decades to come.
Luxury is in the details, and the detail starts beneath the floor you walk on.
