Once you have decided that vinyl flooring is the best option for your home, the next question is installation.

Most people go for a professional vinyl flooring installation, but many also opt for a DIY one. DIY installation is not too difficult but requires technical knowledge, some professional tools, and an extra pair of hands.

This post is a helpful guide for all people unable to decide if they want professional installation for vinyl flooring or try their luck with the DIY option.

An In-depth Guide to Help You Pick the Best Installation Method for Vinyl Flooring

Important Tip before Installation

Regardless of the installation type you pick, don’t forget to acclimate vinyl flooring. It is the process that allows the flooring material to adjust to the temperature and humidity of the new place. The experts recommend letting the flooring sit for 2-3 days between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels of 35 to 75%.

Acclimation helps avoid issues like buckling, warping, or gaps after installation when the flooring expands or contracts due to temperature changes. We always recommend all our customers in Dubai to acclimate vinyl before installing, as it ensures longevity.

DIY vs. Professional Installation: Pros and Cons of Each Option

DIY Installation

Pros

• Highly cost-effective; you can save up to 20% of the total project.
• Flexible; you can work at your own pace and plan around your free time.
• Learning experience; installing flooring yourself can be a learning experience not only for you but for the people working with you. Many people engage the kids in the family to help them learn new skills.

Cons

• Skill and tool requirement; you need some special tools and skills to successfully install the flooring. While tools can be rented easily in Dubai, you can learn skills through video tutorials or observing other professionals installing the flooring.
• Potential errors; no matter how much theoretical information you gather, you can still make errors if you don’t have actual experience of installing flooring.
• Warranty voiding; some manufacturers require that installation be done only by licensed flooring professionals in Dubai; otherwise, the warranty gets void. Don’t forget to check this before opting for a DIY installation.

Professional Vinyl Flooring

Pros

• Ensures quality; professional installation ensures that you get the best out of your flooring, and most professionals provide guarantees on installation.
• Expert workmanship; professionals have the most advanced tools, knowledge, skills, and expertise to handle installation for different types. Further, they can give a perfect look at edges, tight spots, and corners, which most DIY installers can’t handle.
• Stress-free; opting for professional installation helps you stay relaxed. They also offer advice on materials, patterns, layout, and maintenance.

Cons

• Costly; you have to pay around 20-30% of the total materials costs in lieu of installation.
• Dependability; you have to depend on the contractor’s availability. This may delay the overall duration of the project. However, we, at Dubai Flooring Company, ensure our team’s availability at your preferred time.

When to Hire a Professional Vinyl Flooring Installer or When to Go for a DIY Installation?

The pros and cons have made it clear when you should hire a professional and when you can go for a DIY installation. We suggest that you only go for DIY installation if you can get the right tools, have some prior knowledge, and handle the project.

One way to check if you can complete a project is to start by installing a few of the tiles or planks in a room or a small place. If it starts well and you think you can complete it without any mistakes, go ahead. Otherwise, call professionals right away and let them handle the work.

Moreover, DIY installation is only recommended for small areas. You can’t install flooring in a large space like retail stores, hospitals, hotels, schools, or even a whole house yourself.

Professional installation is better in areas where there are a lot of corners and edges or places where you need to cut the tiles or planks a lot.

When the subfloor requires repairs or removal that you can’t do yourself, professional installation is the right option. If you are unaware of local building codes regarding flooring, it is better to hire a professional.

DIY Vinyl Flooring Installation Guide

So you’ve decided that you want to go with DIY flooring installation but don’t know how to do it. Relax; this quick guide will help you install 6 types of vinyl flooring vis-à-vis vinyl flooring.

Tools and Supplies needed for DIY Vinyl Flooring Installation

• Roller (75 to 100 pounds)
• Moisture meter

Most homeowners don’t have these two tools with them. You don’t need to purchase them for a one-time installation. There are many shops in Dubai that rent these on a daily basis.

The following are easily available and not very costly either.

• Flooring adhesive
• Flooring primer
• Level
• Trowel
• Measuring tape
• Utility knife
• Carpenter’s pencil and square
• Chalk-line reel

Glue-Down Vinyl Flooring

• Remove any flooring or adhesive present on the surface before starting your work.
• Ensure that the subfloor is flat using measuring tape and a level.
• Correct any imperfections greater than 3/16 of an inch over a 10-foot span by either using Portland cement or grinding the raised parts.
• Check that the moisture level of the subfloor is not more than 14%. Once all these things are okay, thoroughly clean the subfloor with a vacuum or a mop. The condition of the subfloor plays a critical role in the quality of installation and the total life of the flooring. Prime the surface with a primer before moving to the next step.

The above 4 steps will remain the same for all the 6 types discussed here.

• Measure how much flooring you need for the specific area. It is better to order 10-15% more material to accommodate any breakages or wastage during installation.
• Set up a flooring guideline in the room. This will ensure the installation is square to the room.
• Now grab the adhesive and start spreading it on the floor with the help of the trowel. Ensure that the trowel is at a 45-degree angle while spreading.
• Let the adhesive sit for 60-90 minutes or until it changes color.
• Place the first plank or tile along the guideline. Cut the last plank with a utility knife after measuring the required size. Make sure the side is straight and don’t leave any space at the edge of the wall.
• Continue in the same way for the rest of the room. You’ll need to cut the planks widthwise for the last row in the same way as you cut the planks sideways.
• Use the roller to apply pressure on all the planks. This ensures that all planks stick with the adhesive properly.

Click Lock Vinyl Flooring

• Prepare the subfloor and place it along the wall after trimming the short tongue edge.
• Hold the second plank and install it in such a way that its tongue edge locks with the first plank’s groove edge, ensuring that both snap with each other.
• Complete the first row in a similar fashion, trimming the last plank as required.
• Upon reaching the second row, lock the planks with the ones in the first row as well. Continue in the same way, cut the last row widthwise.

GripStrip Vinyl Flooring

• These come with pre-installed adhesive strips and don’t require adhesive. Start by placing the planks or tiles’ cut edge against the wall.
• Now place the planks edge to edge, overlapping the adhesive strips at an angle of 45-degrees.
• Apply some pressure to each plank after installing it so it holds with well the adjacent ones.

Peel and Stick Vinyl Flooring

• Once the subfloor is ready, simply peel the covering at the back and place the planks or tiles on the floor. Apply some pressure to each plank so it sticks to the floor snuggly.
• This is one of the easiest types of vinyl flooring to install, and we recommend it if you want to save hugely by opting for DIY installation.

Loose Lay Vinyl Flooring

This one is quite similar to installing glue-down vinyl flooring, as it uses double-sided adhesive tape instead of a liquid adhesive. There are different types of taping patterns depending on the details of the place.

• Perimeter pattern for small rooms not bigger than 150 square feet
• Full spread for commercial spaces
• Diamond pattern for residential spaces bigger than 150 square feet

Once you prepare the subfloor, pick the suitable pattern, and get to work. The rest of the installation process is the same.

Sheet Vinyl Flooring

• You can install it using adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape; both are perfectly alright.
• Spread the sheet on the area and mark the spots with the exact size where you’ll need to make cuts. Cut on these marks.
• Spread the selected adhesive. It is better to check the manufacturer’s recommended adhesive to avoid any warranty issues.
• Unroll the flooring, ensuring no wrinkles or irregularities. Once the flooring is spread, use a roller to apply pressure so that the flooring sits nicely.

Final Words

Dubai Flooring Company, DFC, a leading flooring solutions provider in Dubai, is a one-stop place for all your vinyl flooring needs. We offer one of the largest flooring collections in Dubai, with top-of-the-line colors, designs, and patterns. So, don’t forget to give us a call and discuss all your flooring needs.