Guide written by:
Kate, Flooring Expert, Swansea
Vinyl plank floors are officially on the rise. These days, you are sure to find a range of vinyl flooring on the shelves of any DIY or flooring shop. Used to revamp old lino or any other type of floor, vinyl planks come in a wide variety of styles so you're sure to find the perfect solution for any room of the home.
There's also a lot of choice when it comes to installation with a multitude of different formats and methods to choose from. Whether you go for a glue down floor (such as a loose lay or self-adhesive vinyl floor) or a click floor, the same basic installation rules apply but the techniques do differ.
Any DIYer should be able to fit a vinyl plank floor. But you will have to be able to take accurate measurements and be comfortable using a utility knife.
You will need a full day to fit a glue down vinyl floor stretching 20-30 m².
For a click floor of the same size, set aside around half a day for installation.
1 person
Prepare the surface: an essential step for any installation
Glue down flooring
Click flooring
A metal straight edge
A good utility knife
A pencil
A pull bar (optional)
Spacers
Your surface needs to be properly prepared before you attempt to lay the vinyl plank floor.
It is very important to start with a level surface. If your floor has any major level differences or bumps, you will need to take steps to make it perfectly flat before you start fitting the vinyl floor. Otherwise, since vinyl planks are not thick, your floor will conform to any irregularities.
It is essential to level out the floor before installation and this may involve using a self-levelling compound.
Additionally, be sure to store your vinyl planks in the room where they will be installed for at least a day prior to fitting.
Most vinyl plank floors are fitted as floating installations. This means you can easily dismantle the floor without damaging the surface itself.
Fitting a floating vinyl plank floor is very similar to installing laminate.
It is usually recommended to fit an underlay first.
After rolling out the underlay, fit your first full plank in one corner of the room.
It's important to leave an expansion gap around the perimeter of the room. To leave the required gap (usually around 8 mm), you can use wooden spacers.
Slot the second plank along the shortest side of the first and continue laying full planks along the wall until you run out of room.
Use a utility knife to cut the last plank in the row to size. Use a straight edge to run your utility knife firmly along the board to score it.
Please note that your cuts should be made on the decorative side of the board and not on the underside. It is recommended to use a pull bar to slot the last plank in a row into place.
Set about installing the second row using the off-cut from the first row (as long as it measures over 25 cm) before slotting in a full plank. Repeat the process until your entire surface is covered. Be sure to lock the planks together properly to prevent them from disconnecting later on. The type of locking system used can vary depending on the product.
If you decide against a click vinyl floor, the other option is to install a glue down floor. The basic installation method is the same except that the floor is held in place by adhesive.
Once again, start by fitting a full plank and cut the last plank in a row to size. Use this off-cut to start the second row and repeat for the next row.
Alternatively, you might want to install a loose lay vinyl floor. In this case, you will need to apply a tackifier using a notched adhesive spreader.
Leave the tackifier to cure according to the instructions before installing your vinyl planks. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the product.
Your vinyl planks will be held securely in place but it will be possible to remove them if you need to change them.
Just like with loose lay vinyl floors, you will have to apply adhesive. However, a glue down floor needs to be held in place using a permanent vinyl floor adhesive. Use a spreader tool designed for this purpose to apply the correct amount of adhesive (usually about 300 g per m²).
Leave the glue to set for the time indicated in the instructions and install your vinyl planks following the method described above.
Easy to install, self-adhesive vinyl plank floors save you waiting around for the adhesive to partially cure before installation as you would with a loose lay or glue down floor.
The planks come with film on one side which you simply need to peel off before installation.
Self-adhesive vinyl planks can also be fitted using vinyl adhesive. Alternatively, it is possible to find self-adhesive vinyl planks designed for loose lay fitting.
If you are fitting a click vinyl floor, pay attention to any extreme temperature changes. PVC will expand and contract. As such, if you are installing a click vinyl floor in a glass room or in front of patio doors, be sure to read all instructions carefully. The manufacturer may well recommend partially gluing down the floor.
Guide written by:
Kate, Flooring Expert, Swansea
Flooring is my life. I love what I do, and I've been doing it for as long as I can remember. So, I'm not bragging when I tell you I know all there is to know about every flooring product. From laminate, parquet and linoleum to PVC, carpeting and tiling, my workdays are spent learning about manufacturing processes, composition, performance, laying techniques and maintenance methods. I've certainly seen my share of mistakes made on construction sites because of what was essentially a lack of information or understanding of the product. Flooring elements are constantly evolving and being improved upon - even us pros can find it hard to keep up! Some of us in the industry use language that is overly technical or loaded with jargon you'd have to be an expert to understand. What's more, flooring salespeople are often so focused on closing the sale that they don't take the time to explain the products in any detail. That's why I want to pass on my knowledge in a way that's clear and accessible, and maybe a bit fun too. Because flooring shouldn't be a chore!