Are you wondering how do I install vinyl plank flooring? Well, this post will walk you through all the important steps!
Installing vinyl plank flooring is easier than you think. With a little know-how, just about anyone can install vinyl plank flooring and revitalize the look of their home.
Waterproof vinyl plank is a versatile flooring type that works well in different spaces and rooms.
Read on to learn how to install it on your own!
PRO TIP: Read these flooring tips to transform your home this spring before you start! We know you’ll love it!
Follow these steps to install vinyl plank flooring:
1. Remove any baseboards you may have lined on the walls.
2. Line up the flooring on the perimeter of the room you would like to install it in.
3. Use a sharp utility knife to make any adjustments if needed for the perimeter.
4. Mark the center of the room, make sure all your boards are even and if not, use the utility
knife to adjust them.
5. Cut the “tongue” (the protruding side) off of the first row and lay it down.
6. Apply the tongue of the second row pieces into the groove you created in the first row.
7. Just simply lay down the pieces into the tongues and grooves until they click together.
8. If applying texture to tiles, use a tin snip to perforate the vinyl.
It really is as simple as laying down the flooring and just connecting it like puzzle pieces! There is no need to add glue or any underlying flooring to get them to stay in place. They are very versatile and don’t require any extra work. If you need or do not understand how to install the planks still, many websites offer more instruction and pictures to show how to do it.
What exactly are Vinyl Planks?
Vinyl planks are considered luxurious, wood look-alike flooring that come in non traditional
long strips rather than their counterparts, sheet vinyl and vinyl tile. They are easy to put down and connect well to each other in a simple ‘click- lock” groove system.
There are 4 layers to vinyl planks. The top layer of aluminum oxide does its job to prevent
scratches and dings. In addition, there's a clear film-like layer. This layer is there to protect any extreme rips or tears. With vinyl plank flooring, you clearly don’t need to worry about being gentle as it’s very durable!
Another layer of your vinyl plank flooring is there to mimic wood and other materials. Finally, there is a backing layer made of vinyl that makes almost 90% of the thickness of luxury vinyl. Vinyl planks are waterproof, so you don’t need to worry about any spills or water damage as well.
Why would I want to install Vinyl plank flooring?
Glad you asked! Here are the main reasons you should install vinyl plank flooring in your home!
At most, you can expect to pay up to $5 per square foot. This is cheaper than actual wood
flooring which can cost up to 10 times more than the vinyl. Don’t let this deter you from vinyl planks, think of the quality and the wooden look of the planks. Also these are well worth your money for easy installation, or if you are not wanting to do the work yourself, you can hire a professional to install the planks for you adding up to $3 per square foot.
Vinyl wood planks are at every home improvement store.
You can find vinyl wooden planks at any home improvement store like Lowe’s, Home depot,
etc. Also, you can find them at any flooring store you may have locally. They can be found
almost anywhere that has flooring or some sort of home improvement items. You even could order them online in bundles if there are no local stores you can visit. It is easy to obtain vinyl wood flooring wherever you are as long as you have an internet connection or store.
The differences between vinyl plank flooring and other flooring.
The differences vinyl planks give you against other flooring is they are much quieter to step on, waterproof unlike some flooring, they are heavy duty so it will take a lot to scratch them compared to actual wooden flooring. Also, they are able to mimic any flooring you would like, let’s say you want a hardwood floor but you do not want to pay the price per piece. That is where the vinyl flooring comes in at over half the cost, and easier installation without any glue to hold it in place. However, laminate flooring is almost the same as vinyl. Both are waterproof and have the same click system, but laminate has proven to make noise if you step heavily onto it, while vinyl is silent and you won’t get a small headache everytime you step! This floor is perfect for the kids to run around on, or even for your beloved Fido to jump and play freely on without you worrying about scratches and marks.
A flooring company can install them for you.
If you do not want to do the work yourself, you can hire any flooring company to come and
install it for you. Flooring Pros of Augusta, Georgia offers floor installation services whether you purchase the flooring with them or not. You can call them today and get a free estimate on flooring installation and rest assured that you are choosing an excellent flooring company!
In addition to this, it’s important to note that vinyl flooring is one of the cheapest to install.
Another great reason to choose vinyl plank flooring and have it installed professionally.
What to look out for in vinyl plank flooring after installation.
What to look out for in vinyl plank flooring after installation.
Given that vinyl planks are softer than other flooring, you also have to watch out for the
temperature in the room you wish to install the flooring. Vinyl flooring reacts to hot and cold temperatures and can curl if too much moisture is absorbed into them. You have to watch out when you install the planks to avoid peaking. Peaking means when you do not have enough space in between your planks, it causes the planks to lift up from the joints. Make sure you leave some room for expansion and contraction if you are installing in a warmer or colder than usual room, also avoid direct sunlight as much as possible so the planks do not warp. While the planks are waterproof, they are not stain proof. It is best advised to wipe up any spills immediately to preserve the look of your flooring.
What are you waiting for?
Go install vinyl plank flooring in your home today! You won’t regret this amazing decision and neither will your floors. Make sure to take all proper precautions and keep in mind of your spacing between each plank and keep the temperature controlled in the room. Just keep up with all spills and then you have nothing to worry about. Well, now you know how to install vinyl plank flooring!
