Trade Secrets From the Pros to Make Your Job Easy. Vinyl plank flooring can usually be laid right over existing flooring, but if there are any high spots, they should be sanded down to create a flush surface for the new floor. As with previous rows, join these narrow planks end-to-end, then fold the tongues into the grooves of the previous row. New moldings installed alongside new flooring makes for a very polished, elegant look. How to Install Vinyl Flooring. Your last row might be slightly uneven because few rooms are truly square. Leave a 1/4-inch gap at the wall and at the ends; spacers can be placed against the walls to establish this expansion gap. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. It would help if you also took note of this as you determine direction and arrangement. During installation, you can mix planks from different boxes to blend the dye lots/patterns to create a more uniform appearance. Each break was quite clean. 4. Pressed together and rolled, the planks would form a tight bond. The underlayment was fastened to the subfloor with screws 8″ apart in each direction, and all joints and fastener holes were filled with patching compound. Ideally, this includes baseboards, base shoe moldings, and case moldings around doors. Vinyl sheets are softer and are made of vinyl resting on a backing sheet of fiberglass. Often, removing doors from their hinges helps with installation, too. At least 48 hours prior to installation, place the new vinyl plank flooring in the room for acclimation. This is the guide for only who loves how to stagger vinyl plank flooring!. Clear debris from level, clean floor or subfloor. Layout pattern. First, use a carpenter's square and utility knife to score partially through the face of the plank. Vinyl flooring is a great way to change the appearance of a room without spending too much money. Trim molding is typically attached with thin brad-like nails, and it can be removed by carefully prying it off with a flat pry bar. In addition to being waterproof, the vinyl planks had the texture of real wood grain, were heavy enough to feel solid underfoot, and had a convincing look complete with knots and splits. Test fit the first row of vinyl planks down the length of the wall. Vinyl plank flooring comes in a few different sizes. Below are a few hints and tips to keep in mind when using vinyl plank flooring on walls. In this bathroom, the existing underlayment, which was covered with adhesive from floors past, also had some water damage due to a toilet-seal leak. Ring shank nails or staples work well, too. How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring | Tips & Tricks - YouTube After the floor is laid, re-attach the baseboards and trim, preferably using an pneumatic brad nailer. Vinyl planks do not exceed 40ft length and a 20ft width. The foam backing on the planks also makes this flooring softer underfoot. Perfect every time! Run the knife lightly across the face of the plank several times rather than trying to cut it in one pass. When installing the replacement luan, careful measuring was necessary to make sure floor penetrations would align with cutouts in the underlayment. My son chose a rustic pine plank-style flooring, ideal for areas that get wet. Plan to stagger rows so that end joints do not fall at the same point for adjacent rows. In our case, we decided with little hesitation to rip out the underlayment and replace it with 1/4″ luan plywood. Installing vinyl plank flooring is easy, and depending on the size of the job, you can likely complete the work within a single afternoon. The products we saw were virtually indistinguishable from ‘the real thing.’ Even better, all we needed to do the job was a carpenter square and a utility knife. A drawbar tool can be used to gently pull the end plank to snug-up these joints. The hole for the toilet drain, and notches for for valves and piping, were cut with a saber saw. Step 5 â Apply Adhesive. The brand you choose to go with ⦠Because of this, it can typically be installed over existing flooring. The first step is to prep the room where you will be installing the vinyl plank flooring by removing all furniture and sweeping any debris or dirt. Ensure that Walls are Smooth and Clean. During installation, mix planks from different boxes to blend the dye lots and patterns for a more uniform appearance. These are just a few examples of how you can use vinyl flooring in your home. It is easy to cut, requires no bonding to the subfloor, and snaps together edge-to-edge and end-to-end. Use your level to check the surface of the floor. Today Iâm sharing how we installed new vinyl plank floors over top of our existing ceramic tile flooring with just a few easy steps to ensure it was properly level. Vinyl Tile Flooring Installation Labor, Basic Basic labor to install vinyl tile flooring with favorable site conditions. If the remainder had been less than 2″, we would have had to ‘rip’ an inch or two off the first plank we put down. If you install it on top of laminate, the vinyl plank flooring will end up uneven and look unprofessional. You can place shims between the floor and wall to ⦠If you are laying the flooring over a plywood subfloor, fill any depressions with a floor-leveling compound. Do not install under permanent kitchen cabinets when floating; Do not install on concrete unless proper moisture testing is ⦠The corners and adhesive need to match up just right, and your floors may need an underlayer or a bit of repair before installation. How much does the Vinyl Flooring last upto? Sometimes old underlayment can be reused. We tore up the old underlayment using a hefty prybar and banged home the nails left behind. I knew that vinyl flooring had come a long way since the days when I was a young father, but even within the past few years, there have been eye-popping advancements. After making the cutouts, first attach the plank to the adjoining plank while holding the cut-out plank upward, at an angle. Most luxury vinyl planks attach edge-to-edge and end-to-end with a fold-and-lock type of tongue-and-groove system. Alternatively, you can use a fine-tooth handsaw to cut straight through the entire plank. You will have to buy the type of flooring material that is suitable for this technique of flooring. Position the first plank from the starting wall using ¼-inch spacers. Photo: JProvey. And then baseboard is another leap forward⦠itâs so exciting! Joe Provey, 11 Indoor Gardening Projects Absolutely Anyone Can Do, 8 Easy and Affordable Garage Floor Options, Easy-Care Entryway: Replacing Carpet with Tile, 5 Little-Known Advantages of Linoleum Flooring. Installing vinyl planks is a cost-effective way to provide different looks to your home. Your goal is to create the flattest, smoothest surface possible as the underlayment for the vinyl plank flooring. Start with a full plank at the center, and work to either side, so that cut planks at the ends will be of equal length. Ideally, the surface should be smooth, flat, and tightly sealed. Vinyl plank flooring is also ideal for high-moisture areas such as bathrooms and basements since the material is completely impervious to water. As you can see, vinyl flooring is a simple to install, low-cost solution to your flooring needs. (Did I mention my grandson’s penchant for splashing at bath time?) Luxury Vinyl is a floating floor, meaning that it isnât attached to the subfloor. Photo: JProvey. DIY installation is free, except for tools you might need to purchase. Installing Click Lock Vinyl Plank Flooring Trim the short tongue edge from the first vinyl plank. Vinyl plank flooring, like laminate or wood flooring, needs to have a layout that is pleasing to the eye. One thing that hasn’t changed about installing vinyl flooring—or any type of flooring, for the matter—is the need for a perfectly smooth and level underlayment. In step 4 of the question of how to install vinyl plank flooring, the most important step is to wait for the floor to dry. While you may find some smaller than this these are the most common two sizes you are likely to find. You can technically install vinyl plank over laminate flooring, but itâs not advised due to the physical properties of the vinyl plank and laminate and the methods with which both are installed. Vinyl plank flooring is made to look like real wood but skips the large price tag. If the floor is level, carry on. Vinyl plank flooring can usually be laid right over existing flooring, but if there are any high spots, they should be sanded down to create a flush surface for the new floor. If you are laying vinyl plank flooring over a concrete subfloor, fill any cracks or divots with concrete patcher. If not, finish the cut by lightly running the utility knife through the fold. After working out the area, you need to find oua retailer who offers cheap vinyl plank flooring. Vinyl plank flooring installation cost is $1.50-$2.75 per square foot for most jobs. If you do manually nail, use a nail-set to recess the nail heads below the surface of the trim. In this post, we will be providing you with tips on how to install stick down luxury vinyl flooring ⦠At least 48 hours prior to installation, place the new vinyl plank flooring in the room for acclimation. For ease of installation, it is always best to remove the trim that makes contact with the floor. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. It may snap off by itself. Today Iâm sharing some tips, tools, and tricks to installing vinyl plank over concrete. How to Install Allure Vinyl Plank Flooring, How to Install Shoe Molding or Quarter-Round Molding, How to Fit Baseboards With Mitered Inside Corners, Vinyl Plank (Luxury Vinyl) Flooring Review: Pros and Cons, How to Save Your Laminate Floors From Water Damage, How to Prepare for Hardwood Floor Installation, How to Choose the Right Subfloor Leveling Techniques, Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring Comparison Guide. Vinyl Plank Flooring Sizes. One plank lies flat on the subfloor, while the other plank is held at an angle and placed into the first board's receiving groove. Manufacturers recommend that end seams be offset at least 6 inches from row to row. Vinyl plank and vinyl sheet flooring can mimic natural wood or other materials without the cost and upkeep. Deane Biermeier is a contractor with 27 years experience in home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. If necessary, a draw bar can be used to tug this final narrow plank into place against the previous row. Visually, the flooring layout will be most pleasing if cut planks are of roughly equal lengths at the opposite side walls. Door case molding is relatively easy to remove and replace, and removing it produces a cleaner installation. Of course, there is no sawing involved in vinyl plank flooring. Vinyl plank flooring is flexible enough that it can usually be bent enough to get fit around door frames and other protrusions. Vinyl planks are slippery, so be very careful when pulling back on the blade. CAUTION. Just be sure that fastener heads are set below the underlayment surface; otherwise they will telegraph through to the finished floor. The first move in installing vinyl plank flooring over concrete is to determine the area that needs to be covered. When using tongue and groove planks, vinyl flooring installation should start in a lefthand corner with the tongue facing the wall. Tips on Installing Vinyl Plank Flooring. We used Golden Select Vinyl Plank in Smokey Barrel. If you have a pressure-sensitive adhesive, you should be able to roll to the floor with a paint roller. The original floor in our Toyhauler was everything but this, so we ended up installing our new planks directly over the new subfloor. While you could have purchased solid hardwood or engineered wood or ceramic or porcelain tile, you may well have chosen vinyl flooring because you knew you could do it all by yourself and very inexpensively. However, if you need to wrap the vinyl around the edge of the stairs, sheet vinyl might be better for the job. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Then slowly fold down the cut-out plank until it locks into place with the adjoining plank. Make sure to cut it narrow enough to provide a 1/4-inch gap between the planks and the wall. Of all of the do-it-yourself floor coverings, vinyl plank flooring (also known as luxury vinyl) is one of the simplest to install. By Joe Provey. Use a tape measure to establish the exact area and add an allowance of 5 square feet for any emergency during the flooring. Prepare the Floor. My son recently asked for help installing vinyl flooring in his bathroom. The best vinyl plank flooring will give you years of trouble-free use, is easy to maintain and suits the style and décor of your home . Do not install in wet areas like patios and showers, or in exterior areas; Do not install over radiant heat. No more boring patterns or unconvincing imitations of wood, tile, and stone. Depending on the nature of the obstruction, it may be necessary to disassemble previous planks in order to navigate the cutout plank into position. The planks have a click-lock system that closely resembles that of laminate flooringbut vinyl fl⦠Folding the second board until it lies flat and parallel to the first board helps to draw the boards together and lock them in place. Born out of the DIY generation of home improvement, vinyl plank flooring is an affordable surrogate for traditional hardwood floors. Installation Preparation Engineered Vinyl Plank Flooring. This was not one of those times. Lengthwise cuts are best made with a utility knife guided by a long straightedge, using multiple passes of the knife until the planks are cut to the desired width. But baseboards or shoe moldings will usually obscure this unevenness. Once the first row is laid, continue across the floor with subsequent rows, first joining the planks end-to-end, then positioning the new row along the edge of the previous row and folding its tongue into the groove of the previous row. Vinyl Plank Flooring Prices To remove the brads from the trim, pull them straight through the molding from the back side, using pliers. Tip: You may install vinyl over vinyl if the existing floor is one layer thick. With an installation process easy enough for a DIYer, this flooring option will give any space a polished look that will last for years. Fold the plank back. When things suddenly and drastically changed this spring with the pandemic and our spring break holidays ... Read More about How to Install Vinyl Plank Over Tile Floors With a few tools, you can transform any room of your house and give your tired floor a facelift in as little as a few days. wide, youâd divide 123 by 5.75, which is 21.39. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Install one row at a time clicking the ends together. Prying Up Damaged Floor Underlayment. How to Install Vinyl Flooring. Next, you will need to measure the ⦠Vinyl sheets are around $4 per square foot, whereas the vinyl planks are $7 per square foot to install. In a small bathroom, the most visible row might be the one that runs alongside the bathtub. Measure the width of the room, and divide it by the width of the exposed portion of the plank before you start installing vinyl plank flooring. At the far wall, the last row of planks may need to be trimmed lengthwise to fit. The most common vinyl floorings are 36 and 48 inches in length and can range anywhere from 4 to 12 inches wide. Screwing Underlayment to Subfloor. What I found surprised me. You may Choose to Create a Focus on a Particular Area in the Room When installing vinyl plank flooring, it is important to plan accordingly for the expansion and contraction of the floor. Upon dividing the width of the room by the plank width of 6″, we found that the remainder—2-1/2″—would indeed be wide enough. Before getting started with installing your vinyl plank flooring on any of the walls in your home, it is crucial to ensure that the surface it will be installed on is clean, dry and smooth. So we took a trip to the local home center to pick up materials and supplies. Then, flip the board over so that the finished surface is facing down. Copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Of course, things arenât often ideal in the world of remodeling and some floors need to be fixed before vinyl floor installation. Installing Vinyl Plank Flooring on the Staircase. To do so, plan to leave an expansion gap between the floor and the wall that is anywhere from 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch. Flooring went down last week and that always takes a project from âwork siteâ to âalmost finishedâ in a hot minute. Make sure that end joints are staggered so they are at least 6 inches away from the end joints in the previous row. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years. To cut the planks, we only had to measure and then score the flooring the back side with a utility knife. Cut, fit and attach vinyl tile. Install the second plank by holding it at an angle and inserting its tongue edge into the first plankâs groove edge. Vinyl Plank Flooring Installers In Your Area Vinyl is a great flooring choice for every room in your house, but it can be frustrating to install, even for the most avid DIYers. If the level of the floor has been raised enough, it may be necessary to trim the ends of door case moldings to fit the reduced space. Your goal is to create the flattest, smoothest surface possible as the underlayment for the vinyl plank flooring. Manually nailing with a hammer, while possible, can easily damage the trim, while a brad nailer does this work effortlessly. Perhaps the only tricky part of the job was ensuring that, upon reaching the other side of the room, we didn’t end up with a too-narrow final plank (less than 2″ wide). Floor or subfloor on top of laminate, the last row of vinyl resting on a backing sheet of.... But thicker vinyl plank flooring in the world of remodeling and some floors need be. 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