Flooring Install - First or Last?

[BackroadAdventures]

Hello Fellow Skoolie owners!

As I prepare to kick off my conversion build, a BIG question has been rolling around in my head... put my flooring down everywhere and build on top of it, or build everything, and then install the flooring as the last piece to build puzzle.

I intend to keep my bus for some time, and with a family of 6 on board, I want to ensure the flooring can handle everything for years to come. I see that many of you fellow skoolie owners have opted to install your finished flooring first, and then build out on top of it all. I am curious to know why you chose this route, and what your plan is when the flooring may require repair or replacement? Tell me about the pros and cons of your decisions. Thanks!

 

[desrtdog]

I would put down a subfloor first, then layout the compartments/built-ins, before putting in the final flooring. (I used LVP flooring from Home Depot.) Doing this will mean a bit more cutting/fitting on the finished floor, but will also make it easier to replace if needed (as it's not screwed down under a 2-by-something).

 

[BamaBus]

I think a reason some choose to put the complete floor down first is to get an immediate sense of accomplishment. This would be ok if using a solid sheet of linoleum or maybe a hard wood nailed in place. However a LVP or any floating floor needs the ability to move with temperature variations and movements caused by the bus flexing. If using LVP I would put it down afterwards but also would use a high quality product. I am currently putting down a vinyl plank floor throughout a house and there has been plank separation even with the utmost care.

 

[fo4imtippin]

I'm putting vinyl sheet flooring down before the walls. I will even curl the edges up to make a pan on the walls. If I want to upgrade or it's damaged, I'll lay lvp between all the built ins.

 

[Danjo-SKO]

Do it last. You’re going to be constructing on top of it for some time so it’s prone to damage

 

[nikitis]

Make it the last demo item, but only put in the subfloor up to the osb/plywood, then get the fake hardwood tiles after installing all the walls/cabinets

 

[rossvtaylor]

If you're putting in LVP or any of the click-together floating flooring, then definitely put it in last so it's not trapped and is free to move.

 

[nikitis]

If you're putting in LVP or any of the click-together floating flooring, then definitely put it in last so it's not trapped and is free to move.

Man Ross, I didn't even know the floors would do that. I was suggesting putting them in last so they would not need to use so much material, but not for those reasons, glad you chimed in. I would have done mine last anyway and cut them out around the walls just to save on material, but now I have 2 reasons not to.