Many homes in Sanford's established neighborhoods — Lee's Crossing, Westover Hills, and the streets just off Horner Boulevard — were built between the 1950s and 1980s. These houses have real character, but they also have subfloors that have lived hard lives. Before you commit to luxury vinyl plank, there are a few Lee County–specific things worth checking.
The Subfloor Is Everything
LVP click-lock flooring requires a surface that is flat to within 3/16" over any 10-foot span. In newer builds that's rarely an issue. In a 1960s Sanford ranch house, it's almost always an issue — sagging joists, settled concrete, or layers of old flooring built up over decades can create dramatic waves the plank will telegraph right through.
We start every LVP job in an older home with a moisture reading and a 10-foot straightedge survey. Where we find dips greater than 3/16", we self-level or grind high spots before touching a plank. Skipping this step is the single biggest cause of click-lock failures we get called in to fix after another installer has walked away.
What to Do With Existing Original Hardwood
A lot of Lee County homes have 3/4" solid oak under the carpet that was laid in the 1970s. The question we get most often: do we pull the carpet and keep the hardwood, or install LVP over the top?
If the hardwood is flat and professionally sanded, LVP over the top is a perfectly sound approach — but it raises the floor height by 5–6.5mm which can create transition issues at doorways and adjacent rooms. Pulling the carpet to expose and refinish original hardwood is also worth pricing out; in many cases it costs less than new LVP once materials are factored in. We'll give you honest numbers on both options.
Choosing the Right Wear Layer for Sanford's Climate
Central North Carolina's humidity swings between 30% in dry winters and 75%+ in August. Cheaper rigid-core LVP from big box stores is often rated for 55–85°F and 25–70% RH. That range barely covers a Sanford summer with the AC running. Our silver and gold series are rated to 85°F and 75% RH; the platinum and signature series are rated to 95°F — better suited for sunrooms, finished porches, or spaces where AC is inconsistent.
If you're installing in a garage conversion, enclosed porch, or a room over a crawl space with questionable insulation, spend the extra 30 cents per square foot for the thicker wear layer. You'll thank yourself in year three.
Getting a Quote in Sanford
We measure your space for free, provide a written quote that includes subfloor prep (not a surprise add-on later), and show you samples from all four series at your home so you can see exactly how the plank looks in your specific lighting. Our Sanford showroom on US-1 is open Monday–Friday 8am–4pm and Saturday by appointment.
Ready to Get Started?
Ready to talk floors? Call <a href="tel:910-709-1097">(910) 709-1097</a> or stop by our Sanford showroom. Free measure, written quote, no obligation.