So you’re looking to install vinyl flooring somewhere in your home. You’re probably wondering if you can do it yourself, rather than pay specialists to do. Or you might be a handyman as a hobby. Either way, you’re right. You can install vinyl flooring yourself! It’ll take a bit of time, and the final product might not be as good as a professional’s, but it’ll save you money, and give you the satisfaction of knowing you did it with your own two hands! Listed below are the most important steps to follow when doing your project, However, keep in mind that each type of flooring and adhesive might have its own special instructions. Don’t forget to read them!

Step 1

Before you install your new floor, you need to prepare the surface on which it will be laid for the smoothest installation. You can install it onto an existing floor made of vinyl or linoleum, concrete, parquet, wood, laminate, or tiles. However, each floor requires a different type of preparation. The bottom line is that the subfloor needs to be dry, even, and clean. Vinyl is a soft type of flooring that will show any bumps and raises underneath, so you need to ensure you level out any bevels, joints, or cracks with a leveling compound. If leveling is too hard or extensive, you can also use textile backing with your vinyl. However, this is only for smaller irregularities. Additionally, make sure you have cleaned your subfloor thoroughly and allowed it to completely dry before you start the installation. A bumpy floor will show, and a surface that is too smooth will not help the flooring stick.

Step 2

Flooring cannot be installed fresh from the shop. You need to acclimatize it to the room you will be installing it in for at least 24 hours beforehand. Additionally, you need to measure out how much you need. If the room in question is relatively regularly shaped, you can measure the size of your room and cut the flooring accordingly, leaving about 3-5 inches for leeway. If there are nooks and crannies that need to be taken into account, or if you’re flooring a bathroom, you should stencil the pattern of the room onto paper, and then transfer it to the vinyl.

Step 3

Time to install! If you’re flooring a narrow room, such as a corridor, lay the sheets along the length of the room. Generally, however, it should be installed in the direction of the main light source. Moreover, sheets that are laid consecutively should be installed in the opposite direction, to ensure that it looks even. To make sure your flooring lasts as long as possible, avoid laying joints in areas with heavy traffic or doorways. If your room is small, you can simply ay your floor on top of the old one. If its medium sized, use double-faced duct tape. If its larger, install it with an adhesive or glue.

Installing your vinyl flooring yourself isn’t too hard, if you’re handy with DIY projects. Just remember to add skirting for a clean finish!