Vinyl flooring is a very affordable flooring option that is gaining popularity. Made from a combination of synthetic materials – including vinyl, felt, fiberglass, dyes, ethylene and chlorine – vinyl flooring is extremely easy to clean and maintain, and it has the great advantage of being waterproof. Vinyl comes in sheet, tile or plank form, and is available in a vast array of colors and patterns. It can even be made to mimic stone tile or hardwood. If you are a handy individual, installing vinyl yourself is very easy to do! Here are some of our tips and tricks for installing vinyl in your home.
Measure the Room
Before purchasing either sheet, tile or plank vinyl, take measurements of the room. This will tell you how much you need. When you decide on the type of vinyl you want and pick your color or pattern, be sure to purchase a bit extra. This is to ensure that you can center the pattern or, if you have tile, you have extra to replace a damaged section.
Prepare the Subfloor
Vinyl can be placed on a subfloor or you can install it directly over ceramic, concrete or existing vinyl floors. No matter what you are installing vinyl over, the subfloor must be clean, dry and even. Vinyl is soft and will show any bumps or grooves, therefore, imperfections need to be filled in. If the subfloor is especially smooth, a bit of primer can help vinyl adhere.
Prepare the Vinyl Flooring
Before you can start installing vinyl, you need to let the flooring acclimatize. This means that the flooring needs to be left out in a similar temperature to the room where it will be installed, if not the room itself. Tile or plank vinyl can just be left out in the room. Sheet vinyl should be unrolled and then left out. No matter what type of vinyl you are installing, it should be left out for at least 24 to 48 hours as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Laying the Floor
If you are laying sheet vinyl, you can make a template of the room and cut the vinyl, with some extra all around, to fit, before laying it. Or, you can start laying out the floor and make relief cuts against obstructions. You can either use double-sided tape (for smaller rooms) or spread adhesive with a notched spreader and firmly press the vinyl to the subfloor.
Tile vinyl is available in self-adhesive, glue down, or tongue and groove. Before you permanently stick the tile to the floor, trial fit one row the length and width of the room to get an idea of what the final floor will look like, and make adjustments as needed. Then, start in the middle of the room and work your way out, until you can no longer fit full tiles. Cut tiles as needed and fit the partial pieces against the wall. Apply pressure to the entire floor to secure fit.
Final Touches
Once you’re finished installing the vinyl, replace the moldings and trim. Wait at least 24 hours for the adhesive to dry. Once dry, you can carefully replace any furniture back into the room. In order to best protect the floor, use protectors underneath heavy furniture, such as dressers and sofas, or on the legs of coffee and end tables.
Installing vinyl on your own is totally doable. But if you need help from a professional installer, Windows Floors & Decor is happy to make any recommendations for installers in your area. Contact us today!