So you’re thinking about redoing your floor and vinyl plank flooring has come up as an option on multiple sites. You’re pretty intrigued by the idea of a fashionable, easy-to-maintain, and durable flooring option, especially since you’re tired of all the chipped materials that pops up from the old hardwood or tile corners.
Vinyl plank flooring is making a comeback. It’s no longer than cheap and gaudy look you’re picturing from the 70’s. In fact, these days, it’s a very popular option for homeowners to achieve a flexible and sleek design look.
Many homeowners and designers are choosing vinyl flooring because you can get the look you want without the huge price tag. Vinyl flooring is waterproof and scratch resistant, making it ideal for homes with kids, pets, or lots of foot traffic. You won’t have to worry about indentations when you drop your hydroflask or worry about your dog leaving scuff marks around your entrance when a guest arrives.
Vinyl flooring is meant to be durable to last a lifetime and can be made to look like wood, marble, stone, decorative tile, concrete, and more. It’s also easy to install and easy to clean and maintain. That sounds pretty ideal to us.
There are three types of vinyl flooring – sheet, tile, and luxury. Sheet vinyl flooring is typically 6-12 feet wide and easy to lay down and install. This is ideal for very large areas.
Tile flooring is typically 9-12 square inches and mimics the look of ceramic tile but is more economical. You can usually estimate the number of tiles you’ll need by doing some area math inside your home. Because the tiles are so small, they’ll also be easy to cut down when you’re measuring and laying each row of planks.
Luxury tile can simulate wood, stone, and other natural elements and comes in long planks typically 7x48 in. This is a great option when you want a certain aesthetic and want uniform and neat lines.
Vinyl flooring planks and sheets can range from $2-$7, which makes it a very affordable option for a lifetime of use.
Because of their durability, they’ll last in your home for a very long time with little maintenance. Their scratch and indent-proof properties will keep it looking new and fresh for years to come. You can get the aesthetics you want without worrying about the wear and tear that comes with natural materials.
Do you have some vinyl in mind and are ready to take your floors to the next level? Read on for our step-by-step guide on installing vinyl flooring!
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You’ll want to lay out your sheets, planks, or tiles for two or three days to let the planks acclimate to your home. This ensures that the flooring and your home environment have the same humidity levels and temperature. Acclimation prevents your planks from developing gaps over time and prevents the locking system from failure.
While the planks are acclimating, you can prep the rest of your floor. You should remove the baseboards and molding and set them out of the way if you plan on reusing them.
You also need to clean the surface of your floor very well. You should sand down any protrusions and remove and staples, nails, and debris that could affect a flat and level surface. We recommend you use denatured alcohol for cleaning to help ensure everything gets picked up and excess moisture isn’t left behind.
Underlayment">2. Add an Optional Underlayment
Underlayment fills in the imperfections on the floor, which helps the overall installation process. If there are bumps or dips in the subfloor, the vinyl flooring locking system may become uneven.
An underlayment can also serve as a moisture-resistant and soundproofing layer. This can be done to help with easier installation, but it is also not required.
You can take chalk and mark where you want the vinyl to start. You can measure from a fixture where you want the flooring to be centered at, such as a window or a door, and work from there.
You could also start in the center of the room, which can help your installation look more symmetrical. Starting at the edge of the wall is also a perfectly valid way to begin your vinyl floor installation.
The first row is installed by lining up your tiles piece by piece on your starting line. You’ll need to interlock the planks until you get across from wall to wall. Make sure you go slowly and that your planks are in a straight line.
When you reach the wall, you can cut the end pieces. We recommend leaving about ¼” space for expansion between the board and the wall. You can use a utility knife to make shallow cuts in the plank until a mark is clearly defined, and then you’ll be able to bend and snap the plank easily.
When you’re lining up the next rows, you’ll want to stagger the joints. This will give you a more natural look when you’re finished. We recommend an offset of about six inches from row to row.
Most planks will have grooves or a lip that allows you to click the planks into place if properly aligned.
Continue installing the rows until you reach the wall. Use the same scoring method to cut the boards with an expansion gap that can be covered by the baseboards.
Once all your boards are in place, you can nail the baseboards back down. All you’ll need for this is a nail gun to attach the boards. You can fill old holes with caulk and repaint the trim once the baseboards are intact.
With everything in place, give a good mop and sweep to make sure you pick up all the debris and dust from your installation journey.
Installing vinyl flooring can feel like a daunting and difficult task, but it’ll be worth it in the end. Vinyl floors are waterproof and indent-proof, so you’re protected against drops and spills. It’s also scratch resistant, so you can put on “Old Time Rock And Roll” and Tom Cruise your way around your living room as much as you like.
When you’re ready to take care of your flooring, you’re going to need a reliable way to get rid of all the junk and debris that comes with home renovations. Call Discount Dumpster to arrange for your fast and efficient dumpster rental.
With one phone call, you can arrange for a dumpster to be delivered to your home. You can keep it for as long as you need, and when you’re done, we’ll come pick it all up.
We make dumpster rentals easy so that you can focus on the projects that really matter.
Give us a call when you’re ready to install your new vinyl floors!
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Table of Contents Is Vinyl Plank Flooring Better than Other Options? Types of Vinyl Flooring How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring 1. Acclimate the Planks and Prep the Floor 2. Add an Optional Underlayment 3. Determine your Layout 4. Stagger Your Rows 5. Reinstall Baseboards and Add Finishing Touches Is a Vinyl Floor Right for […]