On Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:13:04 -0500, mcp6453 wrote:

The floor covering in my kitchen is vinyl. It's past time to replace it. While
the modern trend is to put hardwood floors in kitchens, we have an elderly dog
that would destroy those floors. Therefore, we have pretty much decided to
install a "felt-backed" Linoleum-type product.

The salesman said that if our subfloor is 3/4" tongue and groove, we have to
install some wood is the same as or is similar to 1/4" plywood. Whatever the
material is, the cost is $19 per sheet at Lowes. Adding that wood doubles the
cost of the new floor. Since we are only going to have the floor for a few
years, I want to spend no more than is necessary. Unfortunately, the existing
floor has to be replaced. It's tearing.

He said that the present vinyl should be removed since it's floating. The new
vinyl will be glued. Lowes will not remove and dispose of our vinyl. We have to
do it or have it done.

Why does the new vinyl have to have the 1/4" wood addition? Can someone help me
understand what the correct process is here? Don't beat up on the sales guy as I
could have repeated some of what he said incorrectly.

The 1/4 luan is used when the subfloor is in a conditions that will
allow dimples. cracks, etc., to show up later. A good idea, depending
on what you have.

There are some products that do not require using glue. Instead they
have double sided tape around the edges. The floor needs a good
cleaning (old clue on concrete). Even after I removed vinyl and
scarped the concrete the installer removed even more debris. I thought
I did a great job.

Be careful using Lowes/HD. They do get orders mixed up. The tape
material I mention above is an example. The RE Agent ordered "glue
down" vinyl, but the installer brought "tape down". It was to late to
change the order because of deadlines. The kitchen turned out great,
well installed and such. Given that, some installers are not all
equal when dealing with Lowes/HD.

2 cents FWIW