The list of vinyl flooring’s benefits is exhaustive. However, one advantage that allows vinyl flooring to gain a clear lead among its competitors is the ease of installation it brings.

Vinyl flooring is typically divided into 6 types when it comes to installation methods. The best part is that you can go for a DIY installation if you have the right tools, some experience with flooring, and the correct guidelines. This post deals with the latter aspect of DIY vinyl flooring installation.

Tools Required for Installing Vinyl Flooring

• Measuring tape
• Utility knife
• Carpenter’s pencil
• Carpenter’s square
• Chalk-line reel
• Flooring adhesive
• Flooring primer
• Trowel
• Level
• Roller (75 or 100 lbs)
• Moisture meter

Some of these supplies are costly. You don’t have to purchase them because you only need them once. The good news is that there are various equipment rental services in Dubai that you can use. In the above list, only roller and moisture meter fall in this category. All the other tools are not too costly, and they are needed in different DIY projects. Moreover, all of these tools will be used while installing different types of vinyl flooring. For a smooth installation, read all the instructions that came with your flooring.

How to Install Glue Down Vinyl Flooring?

Preparing the Subfloor

So we assume that you have all the tools ready by now. The success of the entire process hinges on how well you prepare the subfloor. Imperfections in the subfloor can show on the surface of the new flooring. We don’t want this to happen to you; that’s why we are putting extra emphasis on how to prepare the subfloor.

First of all, remove any flooring, underlayment, or adhesive on your floor. Vinyl flooring must never be installed atop other flooring. Use level and measuring tape to check the subfloor’s flatness. Make sure you correct any indentations greater than 3/16 of an inch over a 10-foot span by filling with Portland-based cement. Now undercut door casings to ensure that the flooring slides easily under each casing. While trimming the casings, place a scrap piece of new flooring below the flush cut saw to ensure correct height.

Once all these things are done, sweep or vacuum the subfloor to remove any debris. The subfloor should be clean, dry, and flat.

You don’t want your subfloor to have moisture, as moisture can damage the flooring above it. So, use a moisture meter to ensure that moisture level is below 14%. If not, call flooring professionals and discuss how you can reduce it. The last step is only for spaces with porous floors. Use the primer from your supplies to prime the surface.

Preparing for Installation

Now comes the technical part; this will help you determine how much flooring is required for your project. Start by measuring the length and width of the room; multiply them to find the area. Then divide the area by the square feet provided on the box; this will give you an idea of how many boxes of vinyl flooring you need in that room.

Dubai Flooring Company recommends ordering at least 10% more material so you can handle any breakage during installation and cutting waste. Another useful tip before installing vinyl flooring is to check that the batch number is the same on all boxes to ensure seamless and smooth installation. Acclimate the boxes for 1-2 days to let them adjust to your home’s temperature.

Now you need to set up a flooring guideline for the starting row. Determine the placement of your guideline by taking into consideration the width of edge rows. Measure the short dimension of the room and divide by the width of the planks or tiles. Plan ahead and ensure that the first and last rows will be at least half the width of the planks.

Measure the long dimension of the room and divide by the length of the planks, ensuring the first and final planks in each row measure at least 8 inches long. Decide your starting point and snap a chalk line to ensure that the installation begins on a straight line.

The Installation Begins

The step starts with spreading adhesive. Pour some adhesive on the floor and use a trowel to even it out. Make sure you maintain a 45-degree angle while spreading the adhesive.

Let the adhesive sit for 45 to 90 minutes or until there is a tacky touch or a change in the color of the adhesive. As you can see in the image below, the sea-green color has changed to a darker shade.

Start by putting your first plank or tile against the wall along the guideline. It is essential to follow the guideline, as it ensures that the installation is square to the room.

To finish the starting row, you’ll have to cut the last plank to size. Do this with the help of a carpenter’s square and utility knife.

You can also use a Guillotine for cutting planks. It results in 100% accuracy; we suggest you rent it if you want excellent results and want to speed up the entire process.

Continue working like this until you reach the last row. This will take some time, depending on the size of the room. So it is better to work in pairs.

For the last row, find out the width of the planks you need and then cut them accordingly. This can be achieved by putting the planks on the last row and tracing a line across these planks with a pencil.

Cut along the line and install the planks for the edge row against the wall. Make sure you don’t leave any expansion gaps. For any ridges or edges in the row, cut the planks using a utility knife.

The installation is almost complete. Use the roller to secure the flooring and clean the surface. Bingo! You have successfully learned how to install glue-down vinyl flooring.

How to Install Click Lock Vinyl Flooring?

This is much easier to install than glue-down flooring and is often the first choice of handy homeowners. The subfloor prepping and measuring parts are the same as explained above.

The major difference is in laying the floor. Read the steps below to find out how Click Lock vinyl flooring is installed.

• Grab the first plank and trim the short tongue edge and lay it appropriately spaced from the wall.
• Install the second plank by placing it in such a way that its tongue edge is inserted into the first plank’s groove edge. Lower the second plank to snap both planks together.
• Complete one row and trim the last plank as required.
• During the second row, you will need to attach the planks to the first row and to one another. Continue this way and complete the entire room.
• Trim the border planks as explained in the glue-down method above and leave gaps for expansion if you didn’t acclimate the floor.

Installation Guide for GripStrip and Peel and Stick Vinyl Flooring

GripStrip and Click Lock vinyl flooring have similar installation methods. The major difference is that click lock flooring has interlocking planks that lock together via tongue and groove joints. The GripStrip planks or tiles come with a factory-applied adhesive that sticks the planks to each other. GripStrip and Peel & Stick vinyl flooring have a similar installation method with some differences. We will explain both here.

GripStrip Vinyl Flooring

• After preparing the subfloor and acclimating the vinyl flooring, lay the first layer of vinyl along the wall. For planks that are cut, the cut edge must face the wall.
• Place the planks edge to edge while overlapping the adhesive strips at a 45-degree angle as shown in the image below.

• Use a hand roller to press down the planks while applying equal pressure to each plank. Keep working across the floor and ensure that each plank fits snuggly and is tightly pressed along the GripStrip seams.
• Trim the planks when you reach the border in the same way as we explained above.

Peel and Stick Vinyl Flooring

This one is the easiest to install. It is simply like applying a sticker.

After readying the subfloor and measuring, start from one corner of the room, peel off the backing from the first tile or plank, and place it on the subfloor. Be careful and take your time while laying the planks, as lifting the plank again can affect its adhesiveness.

Gently press the plank to ensure that it sticks nicely. Now continue with the other planks until you reach the end of the room. Cut the last planks or tiles as per the size and stick them too.

How to Install Loose Lay Vinyl Flooring?

You’ll need double-sided adhesive tape to install loose lay vinyl flooring. First of all, you’ll need to select the adhesive pattern for the floor. A perimeter pattern is best for small rooms not larger than 150 square feet. A full-spread adhesive is recommended for commercial spaces. For residential spaces larger than 150 square feet, a diamond adhesive pattern is suggested.

Once you decide the right pattern, spread the tape accordingly and set up the chalk line reel. Begin your starting row by laying the first plank or tile against the wall along the guideline.

Finish the starting row by cutting the last plank or tile to size. Complete the entire room in the same way. We have already explained the cutting process in detail above.

How to Install Sheet Vinyl at Home?

Vinyl sheet is a common type of vinyl flooring that comes in 6 or 12-foot-wide rolls. Its installation can get tricky if you don’t know how to handle large rolls.

Once you have prepared the subfloor and measured how much sheet you need, spread the sheets and mark the places where you need to cut them. Some manufacturers recommend using adhesive, while others suggest using double-sided tape. Don’t forget to check the flooring manufacturer’s instructions to ensure a smooth installation.

Cut the sheet along the marked lines. Spread the glue or apply the double-sided tape as per the instructions. Unroll the sheet vinyl starting from one corner of the room. As you unroll the flooring, don’t forget to press it firmly to the subfloor and reach the opposite wall carefully.

After all the flooring has been spread, use a roller to ensure the bond gets firm. You can now cut any excessive materials around the edges. Finalize the look of the flooring by installing transition strips.

Clean the floor and let it cure. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to find out how much time your new floor needs to cure.

What is Acclimation, and why is it Essential before Installing Vinyl Flooring?

Acclimation is simply letting your newly arrived vinyl flooring get accustomed to your home’s temperature. It typically takes around 1-2 days for vinyl to adjust to a new temperature range.

If you instantly install the new flooring, it can wrap or buckle. This happens due to vinyl’s ability to react to the change in temperature by expanding or contracting. The rest-time ensures that the floors expand or contract before installing.

Final Words: Just a Helpful Tip for Installing Vinyl Flooring

It is better to call flooring professionals if you aren’t comfortable installing the floor yourself. Or, you can give it a try, and if you feel like you won’t be able to complete the project, contact us. Dubai Flooring Company, DFC, is a leading flooring solution provider in Dubai. We know how to create the magic in your home vis-à-vis floors. DFC is a one-stop place for all your flooring needs in Dubai.