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Vinyl plank flooring is a durable and low-priced alternative to hardwood flooring . Most vinyl board flooring is urine - resistant or waterproof ; some style even have anti - microbial treatments , making them fantabulous choices for kitchens and can . Thanks to a scratch - resistant top coating , vinyl group plank can also hold up very well to in high spirits - dealings area .
For handy homeowner , vinyl plank is a pipe dream : At around $ 3 per square foot , it is more low-priced than solid hardwood flooring ( around $ 7 a straight fundament ) and organise hardwood flooring ( around $ 5 per straight fundament ) . Many consumers choose to install vinyl radical board themselves and lay aside the cost of professional installation — and because it has pre - attached underlayment and simple click - and - lock facility , laying new vinyl floor is a DIY - friendly project . This step - by - dance step scout will walk you through the straightforward cognitive operation of installingvinyl plank flooring , such asLifeproof vinyl plank flooring , which is sole to The Home Depot .
Photo: The Home Depot
Cost to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring
When it come to quality flooring choices , vinyl group board flooring is one of the least expensive to install . You ’ll typically spend between $ 2 and $ 7 per square foot on vinyl plank flooring , depending on quality , according toAngi .
Generally mouth , the higher the price , the higher the quality of the flooring . Less expensive options might be thin or a peel - and - stick edition with thin 2- to 3 - mil assume layers .
Higher - tone , more expensive floor may have waterproof linings with thicker 12- to 22 - ml break layers , built - in rug pad , and anti - mold and anti - mildew treatments . You may see these merchandise , such asLifeproof vinyl plank flooring , available at The Home Depot , labeled as sumptuousness vinyl board flooring ( LVP ) . Installing LVP is n’t any more unmanageable than other vinyl group flooring products .
Photo: iStock
Underlayment for Vinyl Plank Flooring
Underlayment acts as a buffer storage between floating vinyl board floor and the subfloor . It adds cushioning to the flooring that gain walking on it more comfortable , and make a moisture barrier that prevents mould and mould growth under your trading floor . Underlayment reduce interference and can also cover minor imperfectness in the subfloor .
Underlayment come in drum roll that search like carpeting , which you roll out to cover the floor prior to installing the floor . If you choose a vinyl radical plank flooring Cartesian product with a pre - attached rug pad , likeLifeproof luxury vinyl plank flooring , you could skip instal underlay before installing the flooring .
take note : Underlayment is used for floating vinyl group plank flooring that does not have built - in underlayment . Do n’t expend underlayment if you ’re installing peel - and - stick vinyl flooring .
Photo: Kalinovsky / Depositphotos
Subfloor Considerations
Regardless of the price , style , and tone of the vinyl plank flooring , you have to start with a smooth , savourless subfloor surface if you desire the flooring to bet arrant when it ’s instal .
Keep in mind that if the subfloor has deflection , crack , missing chunks , or ( most usually ) mismatched wrinkle , the vinyl plank floor will show it . It might bounce , wear raggedly , or show humps in the base . Make the necessary repairs in the subfloor prior to installing the vinyl board .
Tools & Materials
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Before You Begin
As with any type of hard board floor , vinyl plank flooring can shrivel and swell with change in humidness . Take vinyl board take aback out of the corner and place it in the room where you plan to install it at least 2 Day prior to installment to give it prison term to acclimate to the temperature and humidity of the room . fail to do so could cause gaps to form between plank , or cause board to buckle between the seams .
Guide to Installing Vinyl Plank Flooring
While installing vinyl radical board flooring requires some specialised tool and technique , it ’s a DIY - friendly line . The follow steps and tip will help you successfully complete the project .
Step 1: Inspect the subfloor, and make repairs if necessary.
If you ’re establish vinyl plank floor over a Sir Henry Wood or concrete subfloor , firstmake certain the storey is level , flat , and smooth . Otherwise you could stop up with visible imperfectness in the novel flooring .
Step 2: Remove the baseboards.
nock the caulk line of the baseboards with a public utility company tongue , and then slip in a putty tongue behind the baseboard . intercept the knife with a hammer to gently pull the skirting board by from the wall . Next , slip a pry bar behind the skirting board toremove the baseboardfrom the rampart .
As you work along the distance of each rampart , be measured not to damage the trim , if you plan to reinstall the baseboard after you set up the vinyl plank flooring .
Pro tip : Number each baseboard as you get rid of it , so you have it away where they all go when it ’s sentence to reinstall them .
Photo: Kalinovsky / Depositphotos
Step 3: Install new underlayment, if necessary.
If the vinyl board flooring you ’re installing does n’t have rug pad adhered to its underside , you ’ll have to lay a roll of underlayment . ( You ’ll find some good options in ourguide to the best rug pad for vinyl plank flooring . ) Remember that peel - and - control stick floor do not require underlayment .
Step 4: Measure the room.
Before you commence repose the vinyl radical board , you necessitate to measure the room to make certain you do n’t end up with small shaving of blow out of the water to install when you reach the diametrical bulwark .
Choose which direction you plan to launch the flooring , then appraise the duration of the elbow room that ’s perpendicular to the direction of the floor . Divide that measurement by the breadth of one vinyl plank .
For good example , if the room is 107 inches long , and the vinyl group floor is 5.5 column inch spacious , separate 107 by 5.5 inch : 107 / 5.5 = 19.45 in .
The decimal amount in your computing represents how wide the last plank will be at the other side of the room ( in pct ) . Do some quick maths to ensure that this share wo n’t be less than 2 inches .
The decimal time value ( .45 ) represents 45 percent of the 5.5 in , which is about 2.5 inch ( 5.5 x .45 ) , a suitable width for the net course of planks .
Should the width be less than 2 inches , cut the first board slightly thin to attain a wider concluding dustup .
Step 5: Set the first plank.
Begin by set the first tongue - in - groove plank of vinyl flooring in the corner of the room so that the grooved edge faces away from the wall . Use the spacers include with the flooring to create a 1/4 - inch col between the bulwark and the plank to permit for enlargement .
Step 6: Install the first row of vinyl plank flooring.
For click - lock chamber vinyl board flooring , connect the second board to the first one by lifting the second plank at an angle and connecting the tongue to the channel in the first board . Drop the 2nd board to the story to lock them together , then practice the tapping block and mallet to tap each piece securely in place . Use the spacers as you go to maintain a 1/4 - inch buffer between the wall and the flooring . Continue tear planks together until you ’ve reached the close of the row .
For peel - and - peg vinyl group board flooring , remove the support and hold the plank so that only the edge is touching the previous wrangle . Adjust its placement before laying the plank flat and press it in place . apply the roll to flatten the adhesive against the substratum .
Pro tip : Vinyl plank flooring often has repeating patterns on the plank . Before installing the flooring , sort the planks by practice . As you set up the flooring , rotate through each board pattern to fend off ending up with identical plank side by side .
Step 7: Install additional rows.
Cut a plank to a distance that ’s at least 6 column inch shorter than the first board by scoring and snapping it , or byusing a orbitual sawor miter saw . By cut the first board in the second rowing shorter , you will keel the seams between each row , creating a more raw look .
Start a 2d row by attaching the foresightful seam of the first plank in the 2nd quarrel to the first board in the first row , using the tapping block and mallet to lock them firmly into place . Use the tapeline measure or scribes to assess and cut yap for vents , pipes , sewer drains , and other obstacles .
check that to stagger the seams randomly as you start each row . When you ’re all done , the wrinkle should neither trace up nor have a perfect rule like a brick wall .
Pro tip : Keep the flooring off - cuts , so you could apply them to come out or finish rows . Using different length helps create staggered seams while reducing waste .
Final Thoughts
Installingvinyl plank floor has its pro and cons , but it ’s a jolly straightforward way to make a significant impact on a elbow room . As long as the subfloor underneath is in good shape , a vinyl plank trading floor can provide a saucy and voluptuary feel for any space . By following the stride and lead above , DIYers can instal vinyl board floor of any type .
FAQs
It depends on the size of the room and condition of the existing story , but most vinyl board flooring undertaking take less than a day . Once the first course of action is in , the workflow increases and DIYers can cut across ground quick .
Yes , it ’s possible to paint vinyl radical flooring . sandpaper the glossy finish off the top , then priming the story with latex paint should cater a proper substrate for latex blusher . Just be sure to coat the ruined ware with a clear-cut , lasting sealer .
When installing board flooring , whether it be vinyl or wood , there are three rules to consider . First , you could follow the flow of the plank in the hallways and join rooms to keep the space from experience jerky . secondly , for south - face wall ( in the northern hemisphere ) , it makes gumption to set up the planks north to south , as the Sunday ’s ray pouring through the window can complement the texture . Finally , if neither of those scenario apply , simply deploy the planks along the longest walls .
Vinyl plank take aback intersection are much better than they used to be . Today ’s products are less prone to warping , splitting , separating , or wearing than products made 25 twelvemonth ago . However , improper installation or poor quality substratum and underlay can still make the same government issue .
Older peel - and - joystick floor are prone to separating due to excessive moisture , hapless installment , unsatisfactory substrates , and age . raw vinyl group plank story might separate with excess heat energy or cold , which causes the plank to expand or contract .
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