How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring Quick and Simple | Beginner’s Guide

How to Install Vinyl Plank FlooringIf I have to share only one reason why vinyl plank flooring is my favorite, then definitely it’s going to be the simple installation. This is one of those options to go for when you don’t really have no idea or clue about such flooring installation but still want to do it yourself. 

In short, it’s the finest choice for beginner floor installation. With the simplicity of installation, it also leaves a luxurious feel on the floor to give a boost to your home’s look.

Now before you get all confident and start sticking those planks like Legos, here me out. Let’s talk wholly about how to install vinyl plank flooring quick and simple. Is it necessary? NO DOUBT IT IS!

How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring as a Beginner

The process of vinyl plank flooring is easy. But that does not mean you can do it right out of the box without any previous studies. And I’m glad that you took the effort and searched through the internet to learn some quick and effortless tips for installing vinyl plank flooring.

Also, some people like to have additional stability with installing plywood underlayment. However, it’s not a compulsory step to include. You may read this article to know further about the necessity of underlayment for vinyl plank flooring.

Below I’ll simplify the method of this installation keeping a beginner’s approach in mind. Make sure you walk through the guide to completely understand the installation process and avoid common mistakes that are pretty bound to happen. Let’s Get on It!

Before Starting, Prepare Well

First of all, the tutorial I’m about to share will need about three hours of your time for every 120 square feet of area installation. Get ready to spend a few dollars on this project. The supplies you’ll need are suitable vinyl plank flooring, a saw with a fine-tooth blade, a utility knife, a straight edge, and one tape measure. Before getting ready for the actual installation make sure you prepare this way.

Start with a Planned Layout for Flooring

You need to start your first row parallel with the wall that is most visible in that particular worked room. For example, in a tiny bathroom, the row alongside the bathtub is usually better visible than others. And on the opposite wall where vanity and counter stays should be less in focus.

Start laying the first row with this picked wall and go working across the room. Due to the true squareness of a room, there could be unevenness in the last row. Baseboards are usually used to unclear such problems.

The ends should not be meeting each other so make sure you are staggering subsequent rows. Plan on which direction to install vinyl plank flooring will work best.

Start laying from the center of the room working outwards on the wall’s sides. For non-square large rooms, there will be an exponential increase of unevenness as you keep on moving. And this could lead to a very improper-looking last row. For such cases. Laying down a row in the room’s middle is accurate. So that problem gets divided by half lessening the overall visual impact.

Trim Removal for Easy Installation

There’s a trim that usually makes contact with the floor, you should remove that. Baseboard, casings, door trim, and quarter-round come into this list. 

Sometimes, you should also think about removing the door. Through door trim removal you can easily replace and make the installation results look cleaner. If it’s not possible to do such trim removal, simply cut vinyl flooring around those obstacles.

Use a pry bar to get rid of the door casing that is attached with brad-line nails, the thinner ones. Pull back using the tool and straightly get them out from the backside using a plyer. Set the trim aside if it’s in a good condition to reuse.

Cutting Vinyl Plank

Use a utility knife to cut the planks. You want to lightly run the knife on plank’s face a few times. Don’t go for deep cuts since it might damage. Be extremely careful, these planks are quite slippery. To cut straight through the board, one can also use a fine-tooth saw.

For tiny rooms start from one side and work through the other. After dry fitting boards into the room, you will visualize the final look of the product. Don’t go for the entire layout on the floor. Just use enough to reach another side of the room from one side.

Now flip the board over. You will have the finished surface facing down this way. You need to fold the plank back now. There are chances of snapping off itself. If that does not happen, use the utility knife to run through it lightly.

Making Connection & Protrusions Cut

Usually, vinyl plank with high quality includes a fold and lock type of tongue in the groove system. This helps to go for an end-to-end or side-to-side attachment. You should hold one plank at an angle while laying another on the subfloor. 

It should be in the receiving groove of first board. Until lying flat, you should fold the second board. It should be parallel with the first one. This will draw boards together and securely connect them. Use a heavy-duty scissor or tin strip to create a protrusions cut-out next.

Fitting the Protrusions

Install the plank first by attaching to the adjoining one. Make sure to hold the cut-out plank at an angle upward. The cut-out plank should lock into place and to do so, gradually flow it down.  

The protrusion on long side plank works for wall-side cut out walls. This is not right for the short side. Use 10 to 15 degrees of angle for fitting planks. The board movement may get impeded with door trim on the short side type of protrusion.

Baseboard & Trim Installation

Once the floor is done, reattach trim and baseboard. You can use an electric brad nailer or even manual nailing. The later one is not appropriate for thin baseboards and trim. So better go with an inexpensive brad nailer.

Frequently Asked Question

How to install glue down vinyl plank flooring?

Using an adhesive tape of liquid glue stuff, this type of vinyl plank flooring is used. It takes a long time to install but more permanent than regular ones as well. One should consider expert installation since the task takes a long time.

The process follows a dividing of floor to visualize tile placement. This will help to strategically install vinyl plank flooring over tile. Then starting from the center to install it. A trowel helps to spread the adhesive. After the tile-laying, one needs to keep the temperature between 18 to 29 degrees Celsius for 2 days. And then the installation should be done.

How to install peel and stick vinyl plank flooring?

This method also demands similar floor preparation and layout as the glue-down flooring. You just need to simply peel off the adhesive backing off. And then stick to the subfloor next gradually to complete. 

In this method, you should start from the corner of room. Leaving around quarter-inch of expansion gap will help to move freely. Working in a row to get all across space is the best way here. Once all rows are done, a baseboard or quarter round will help to cover the gap in vinyl and wall.

Conclusion

Bravo! You have learned the whole thing about how to install vinyl plank flooring quick and simple. Use the method well to do some flooring installation yourself. But make sure you keep the points in mind tightly. Don’t be reckless, avoid being hasty and a good result should wait for you by the end.

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