How To Do Vinyl Plank Flooring Installation On Your Own Like A Pro?

Vinyl flooring is becoming increasingly popular. Not surprisingly, vinyl is considered a true all-rounder in the flooring sector. The special advantage of such a floor is easy installation, which can be done qualitatively and quickly with your own hands. The simplest option is a laminate with a lock that folds like a constructor.

This work is done quickly, and the coating is ready for operation after plank flooring installation.  They are not afraid of water, resistant to dirt and mechanical damage. It can be laid in all types of rooms. 

Therefore, installing vinyl laminate has become more relevant than ever. In this article, we will explain as clearly as possible the whole algorithm of actions with all the nuances. 

What are the General Rules for Installing Luxury Vinyl Planks?

It is possible to properly lay vinyl laminate with your own hands without the help of a master. The general rules of laying vinyl boards are reduced to the fact that the floor surface must be flat and can have no more than 5 mm differences. Below, in the next section, we will dwell in more detail on the technology of laying each of the listed types of vinyl laminate. But first, let us remind you of the important rules:

• As it has been said, the surface has to be flat. Otherwise, the floor will be crooked, and cracks will quickly appear. Therefore its service life will be greatly reduced. It is also essential that before laying, the floor’s surface is clean without dirt and dust. It is necessary to vacuum thoroughly before laying the flooring.
• If the plank flooring installation is laid on a “warm floor” system, it should be switched off and not switched on for a few days after the work is finished.
• Before laying, the laminate package should be in the room for at least 24 hours so that the material adapts to the conditions.
• Also, a significant point applies to the underlayment. It is used when installing the locking method or laying vinyl laminate with adhesive tape. The self-adhesive laminate flooring does not need an underlayment.

What are the Ways for Installing LVP Flooring?

Vinyl laminate differs from classic laminate and has peculiarities that must be considered when installing it.

First, plank flooring installation depends on the type of laminate:

• Vinyl laminate with a lock is laid classically. One tile is inserted into the other until the characteristic click. Thus, the entire floor is laid in this order.
• Glue-based vinyl laminate is glued to the floor with an adhesive already applied to the back of each tile and protected by a film until it is laid.
• Vinyl laminate with adhesive tape. Unlike glue-based laminates, this laminate has adhesive on the end face, which allows you to glue one PVC tile to another.
• Vinyl adhesive laminate. It is glued to the floor with a specialized adhesive for PVC coverings.

Below, you can read about laying each of the above coverage types. 

Installing luxury vinyl plank with a lock

Laying vinyl laminate with a lock is similar to laying standard laminate using an underlayment, which hides slight irregularities in the floor and cushions the coverage.

1. Firstly, you need to measure the room and decide on the location of the plank vertically, horizontally or diagonally. Each case depends on the room size, the lighting level and other things, and personal preferences.
2. Installation of plank flooring begins with the room corners, making the indentation from the wall at least 5-10 mm. The standard method of laying “in a row” is often used when the panel is shifted relative to the previous one in each row. Laying vinyl laminate with a lock does not require special skills. Tiles are inserted into each other until it clicks.

For laying laminate with a mechanical lock, you may need:

• A cutting tool (jigsaw, hand saw, or others)
• Spacers
• Angle, level, or ruler
• Measuring tape
• Hammer

Do not hit the tile with a hammer or other object (to adjust it), do it through the block, so you will not damage the lock or the tile itself.

Installing a luxury glue vinyl plank

Before installation, you have to know several tips:

• Remember that you do not need underlayment to install adhesive-backed vinyl laminate. We will consider the variant with boards on an adhesive basis, for the installation of which it is sufficient to remove the protective film from the back of the panel. But it would help if you bought a special adhesive when installing laminate without an adhesive backing.
• The plank flooring installation on an adhesive basis is carried out in the same way as with conventional laminate. Still, the panels are not inserted into each other but maximally (i.e., with a minimum gap) fixed tightly to each other. Each tile is glued to the floor and pressed with a soft roller for better adhesion with the substrate, smoothing the surface.
• The laying of lvp flooring tiles depends on their size and type (rectangular or square). There is also a sheet laminate. The laminate manufacturer can provide instructions with the recommended laying schemes included in the laminate box. But the most popular patterns you can find on the Internet.

Installing luxury vinyl plank flooring on an old subfloor

Finally, we would like to point out that we do not recommend laying vinyl flooring on old subfloors. You can do so if this move is well thought out and the old subfloor has been carefully prepared.

Otherwise, put vinyl laminate on the old flooring if you decide to skimp on subfloor preparation. It can turn out to be an uneven floor that will last only a few years.

Follow the rules for installing vinyl laminate flooring, and your vinyl flooring will last its maximum life.

Bottom line

Remember that plank flooring installation is not an easy task. However, reading this article will probably make it easier for you. Also, you can find more valuable articles on our site, such as how to make distressed wood. Remember that the key to quality work is careful preparation beforehand. So before you start, read valuable tips, consult a professional, or watch a training video.

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