Prep the Floor Use a grinder to lower the high spots and a chisel to remove any bumps. If you have old linoleum or vinyl flooring, you can leave it be if it's in good condition. If you see indentations or a rough texture, use an embossing leveller to create a smooth surface.
Remove all furniture from the room as well as any existing vinyl or carpet floor coverings. Check for nails and tacking strips, before thoroughly sweeping and vacuuming the subfloor. Make good any damage such as holes/cracks in the subfloor (this can be done by using a repair mortar).
Please follow these requirements: Subfloor unevenness cannot be greater than 3/16 of an inch over a 10-foot span or 1/8 inch over a 6-foot span. Subfloors must not slope more than ½ inch per 6 feet (25 mm per 1.8 m) Subfloors must be structurally sound.
The application fluid helps float the graphic onto the resulting surface to prevent the vinyl from sticking before you want it to. Nevertheless, for most vinyl installations, you should not apply the graphics wet, especially if you can do a dry application.
Prep the Subfloor
Before you install your vinyl sheet, make sure the subfloor is levelled perfectly and is free of gaps, gouges, or seams. You can use a combination of level compound and pre-mixed floor patch to fill the low spots. If the dips are deep, you will need to repair the subfloor.
Typically, moisture barriers are needed when vinyl flooring is installed on top of a concrete subfloor or crawl space. Please refer to the manufacturer guidelines, installation instructions, and warranty information for more details.
If the old floor has a rough texture or some indentations, use a coat of embossing leveler. Applied with a straight-edged trowel, the embosser will create a smooth surface to support the new floor. Damaged or loose vinyl flooring should be removed.
Generally speaking, LVP can be installed directly over subfloors such as concrete or ceramic tile assuming they're clean and level. Additional underlayment may be required if installing over existing hardwood or vinyl sheet floors to protect against moisture damage and sound transmission.
Foam: Being one of the least expensive underlayments you can buy, foam fits as the perfect choice to be put under your vinyl floor, especially if your subfloor is made of plywood. However, make sure that you have no moisture issues as foam and water aren't a good combination when it comes to flooring.
If your sub floor is uneven we recommend you use a good-quality latex self-levelling compound, alternatively smaller uneven spots of more than 3mm can be filled with a rapid-drying deep-fill compound. For all subfloors, we recommend a final skim of Ardex Feather Finish to ensure the smoothest possible finish.
Vinyl is one of the most affordable types of flooring, at a cost of just $1 to $2 per square foot for vinyl sheet flooring and $2 to $7 per square foot for vinyl planks. Professional installation for vinyl floors costs another $3 to $10 per square foot.
Generally, commercial spaces — like office spaces, restaurants or retail stores — experience heavier than normal foot traffic and therefore can benefit from vinyl flooring that is glued down (since the glue provides extra support in keeping the flooring in place).
Between the subfloor and vinyl flooring, you can use materials like foam, felt, cork, or particle board as underlayment, depending on your needs and subfloor type.
Prep your subfloor so it's clean, dry and level within 3/16-inch change per 10 feet. Use a self-leveler on low spots and/or sand high spots of wood or concrete. Don't sand old vinyl flooring as it may contain asbestos.
Not all vinyl has to be glued to the floor. Heavy duty 'stay flat' vinyl doesn't shrink or lift, so you can lay it without using adhesive. If you're laying cushioned vinyl, you should glue it around the edges and at joins. Thinner, non-cushioned types need to be stuck down all over.
Generally speaking, vinyl sheet flooring will last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, while vinyl plank and tile flooring will last 15 to 20 years. The thickness of its wear layer vastly impacts vinyl flooring's lifespan, so pay attention to this detail when purchasing your flooring.
Does vinyl flooring devalue a home? It's possible. While vinyl plank floors are affordable and versatile, they might not boost your home's resale value like hardwood or tile would.
Some disadvantages of vinyl flooring include: Cannot be repaired. Can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Shorter lifespan than wood floors.
If the wood is rough or porous, sand it so that the surface feels smooth to the touch. Then make sure there's no sawdust or residue on the wood before applying the vinyl. If it's been painted or sealed, allow a few weeks for the paint or sealant to cure before applying vinyl.
Warping. To produce high-quality sound, vinyl records should be kept flat. When a record is exposed to water, it might distort, creating uneven playback and potentially rendering it unplayable. This is because vinyl records are made of PVC, a form of plastic that softens when wet.