Then trim the jambs to size.Īttach spacers around the bottoms of the walls. Remember to leave about 1/16 of an inch extra for caulking. If it’s higher than the position of the existing jambs, mark the level on the jambs. To check this, lay a vinyl flank on top of the sub-floor. You may also need to trim your door jambs. Take care not to damage the boards, and you’ll be able to replace them when your planks are down. If there’s any paint sticking them to the wall, run the blade of a utility knife along the edge first. Now use a pry bar to remove any baseboards that make contact with the floor. Older products can contain asbestos, which is very dangerous if you inhale the dust. Note that if you have old vinyl flooring in place already, don’t sand it. If there is, use a self-leveller to fill in any low spots, and sand or grind away any high spots. Use a level to check there’s no more than 3/16 of an inch difference in 10 feet. Make sure your sub-floor is clean and flat. That will give the planks time to adjust to the temperature and humidity before installation.

Place your vinyl flooring in the room where it will be laid for at least 48 hours before you start work. And if you run them towards a light source, it will give the room a more open aspect. But if you’re flooring a room that adjoins a hallway, laying the planks in the same direction can look good. Pro tip: When it comes to deciding which way to lay your floor, personal preference is key. That’s a great way of knowing exactly how everything will look when it’s finished. Once you’ve got your flooring, you can even lay it out before fixing it in position. It’s a good idea to sketch out the layout before you get started. Most manufacturers recommend offsetting joints by at least six inches between rows. Stagger the joints to avoid any weak patches. And you won’t want a very narrow row at one end. You won’t want to have a plank that’s very short just as you step over the threshold. And think about where you’ll position each row. Next, decide which way you want your planks to run. If you’re going to lay them in a pattern, like herringbone, add an extra 15 percent. That will give you the amount of flooring you need to buy, allowing for some wastage. If you plan to lay your planks in a straight line, add 10 percent to this total. If your room is an irregular shape, break it into smaller rectangles and squares and work out the surface area of each shape. If your room is square or rectangular, the result will be its surface area. Measure the width and length of the room and multiply the two measurements together. That will allow you to purchase the right amount of flooring. Start by working out the surface area you’ll need to cover. Step-by-step Guide on vinyl plank flooring installation Step 1: Measure the surface area of your floor Grinder or sander (if your floor isn’t completely flat).Underlayment (if you’re laying a floating floor).Tools & equipment for installing vinyl plank flooring Step-by-step Guide on vinyl plank flooring installation.

Tools & equipment for installing vinyl plank flooring.

Installing vinyl plank flooring