Flooring under Ikea Billy bookcases (vinyl, plank, installing, cabinets) - House -remodeling, decorating, construction, energy use, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, building, rooms - City-Data Forum

masst243 · 01-27-2021, 11:25 AM

Hi!

We are looking at ripping out our carpet in our downstairs (cement floor underneath). We plan on installing a wall of Billy bookcases as a 'built-in' look. We want to replace with a wood flooring, preferably vinyl plank floor. Do we go under those bookcases? Will the weight of the bookcases cause the vinyl plank to buckle or dent?

kab0906 · 01-27-2021, 11:37 AM

Put it under. The next homeowner will thank you.

K'ledgeBldr · 01-27-2021, 12:53 PM

Run the new flooring underneath- not so much for the next occupants, but to protect the wood of the bookcases from moisture absorbed by the concrete.

Hemlock140 · 01-27-2021, 02:59 PM

I would go a step farther. We have several of those, and the bottom is not flat, but the weight is all on the bottom of the two side panels. This is why they need to be anchored to the wall to avoid tipping. Those will leave indentions in the vinyl plank floor. My suggestion is to buy some 1/4 or 3/8" plywood or MDF and rip to the same width as the cabinet depth, and place them on the floor first, the cabinets on top. That will spread the load, and if you ever move them, or the next people do, the floor will still be flat.

masst243 · 01-27-2021, 04:25 PM

Thank you everyone and thank you Hemlock140 for the suggestion! We do plan on anchoring them to the wall.

robr2 · 01-28-2021, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K'ledgeBldr

Run the new flooring underneath- not so much for the next occupants, but to protect the particle board of the bookcases from moisture absorbed by the concrete.

Fixed That For You.

Gerania · 01-29-2021, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robr2

Fixed That For You.

That is a wood product. It's more sensitive to moisture than solid wood, but a tree died to make it.

robr2 · 01-29-2021, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerania

That is a wood product. It's more sensitive to moisture than solid wood, but a tree died to make it.

The Billy is particleboard which yes, is made of wood particles. It is even more susceptible to moisture than the Hemes or Havsta which is sold wood.

K'ledgeBldr · 01-29-2021, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robr2

Fixed That For You.

Fixed?
No; you just muddied the waters for another argument- which has no bearing on the subject at-hand!

Coolair · 01-31-2021, 10:57 PM

The anchoring idea is very creative and useful my cousin was asking me the same and finding the solution for the flooring i think it helps him too.