Installing vinyl plank flooring is an easy beginner-friendly project. Get all the details of how to prep the floor and install step-by-step! We needed to install new flooring in our kitchen/entryway/staircase area. It needed to be durable, waterproof, and easy to maintain.
Of all the do-it-yourself floor coverings, vinyl plank flooring (also known as luxury vinyl) is one of the simplest to install. It is easy to cut, requires no bonding to the subfloor, and snaps together edge-to-edge and end-to-end.
Installing LVP can be quite simple. It's definitely a doable DIY project. Your main concern will be to have a flat and solid subfloor for it to go over. And just be sure to read and follow all instructions as far as how to install it and take your time.
When comparing vinyl plank to laminate, it's a close race as to which is easier to install. However, the installation of vinyl plank requires fewer tools and steps, so it's the superior choice in this category.
1. Luxury vinyl tiles or planks: These more durable versions of vinyl floors are also easier to install. They use a “tongue and groove” system you'll find with most floors in this tier.
Both flooring types are compatible with underfloor heating, although vinyl is slightly more efficient. Vinyl floors have the lowest thermal resistance of all Pergo flooring solutions and act as excellent thermal conductors.
Vinyl stands up the best against excess moisture and spills, and it can be less expensive than laminate. However, laminate gives a more realistic wood look to enhance the design aesthetic in your home.
Don't want to deal with removing baseboards? You can leave them in place, but you will need to leave a ¼” gap between the baseboard and flooring, to account for expansion over time. You may want to purchase some quarter-round pieces in a matching color to cover up this gap.
Also, keep in mind that some apartment complexes and Homeowner Associations may actually require you to have your flooring installed with a sound barrier. So yes, you do need underlayment for vinyl plank flooring.
If you are wondering where you start laying vinyl plank flooring, the best place is perpendicular to the longest wall. Why? Because it keeps the amount of cutting you have to do down.
After you've installed brand-new vinyl flooring, you should wait at least a day before walking on it because: The seams need to cure: The adhesive under your vinyl sheet, plank or tile flooring needs at least a day to acclimate to the floor underneath it after installation.
Begin the first row of flooring by placing the planks with the tongue side facing the wall. Install the second plank next to the first by aligning the tongue into the groove and press the plank down to snap it in place. When you come to the end of the first row, cut the length of plank needed to complete the row.
Subfloor must be clean, structurally sound/tight, and visibly dry. Floor must be flat to within a 3/16” in 10' radius tolerance.
Laminate flooring also wins out over vinyl when it comes to environmental sustainability. Vinyl is produced using petroleum, which isn't a renewable resource. Its production generates toxic chemicals.
Unfortunately, most types of flooring are susceptible to damage from the sun. Over time, vinyl flooring can fade in direct sunlight.
Laminate and vinyl planks feature plastic design and wear layers. But vinyl planks also have plastic cores, while laminate cores are made from wood composites. This is one of the most important differences between the products. Vinyl planks and tiles are waterproof, especially the more recent WPC and SPC products.
Vinyl plank flooring is versatile and all, but it will never be real wood. Despite vinyl's popularity, hardwood is still the most popular and desirable flooring type. If you're looking to change the floors to increase your home's resale value, investing in vinyl might not be worth it.
While new styles of luxury laminate flooring look beautiful, hardwood tends to be the best flooring to increase home value. Made of natural materials, hardwood exudes a luxurious aesthetic in any home whether it's old or brand new.
The rule of thumb is to use 4mm to 6mm thickness in heavily used areas of the house and 4mm and below for areas like the bedroom.
Vinyl plank flooring has all the visual appeal of solid hardwood flooring. Learning how to install vinyl flooring is something you can do yourself. Vinyl flooring costs a fraction of the price of hardwood, making it a great option for beginner home-improvers.
In the same vein, it's typically recommended that planks are installed parallel to the longest wall of the room. So, if you're installing vinyl planks in a 12 foot by 18 foot living room, run the planks parallel to the 18 foot wall. This will make smaller rooms feel bigger and wider.
Vinyl flooring installation typically takes between 1-2 days to complete. Some types of vinyl flooring, such as plank and tile, need a few days to acclimate to the temperature and humidity in your home prior to the installation. This process prevents expanding and contracting after the flooring is installed.