Using Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring is an excellent way to add value to your home while also keeping your floors looking great. There are several things you will want to keep in mind when installing a floor, including which adhesive to use, which direction to run the flooring, and how to trim the edges.
Decide Which Direction To Run Flooring
Choosing which direction to run luxury vinyl plank can have a big impact on the finished look of your room. When laying out your planks, you should consider the location of natural light sources, focal points, and other room elements.
A large entryway or window can provide plenty of natural light. In addition, it can be a good idea to lay out the flooring in a way that emphasizes the grain of the planks. A simple, yet elegant, way to do this is to run your planks in the same direction as the main light source in your room. This will make the room feel larger and more open.
One way to get an idea of how your planks will look is to draw a sketch of the layout. Then, cut a corresponding line, parallel to the wall, at a right angle.
This will help you to measure the length of the longest wall in your room. Then, divide the measurement by the width of the plank. This will give you an idea of how many cuts will be required.
If you don’t have the time to draw a sketch, there are other ways to figure out which direction to run your luxury vinyl plank. For example, if you’re installing the flooring in an open-concept area, you may want to use flooring that’s more aesthetically pleasing to other rooms. Similarly, if you’re running the planks in the same direction, you should think about how transitions will affect your design.
Choosing which direction to run your vinyl plank can be tricky, so it may be worth it to consult with a professional installer. This will ensure that the floors will last and provide the best overall look.
While the traditional adage is to measure twice and cut once, you may need to do both. If you do not, you may have to spend extra money to buy extra material to trim the waste. Fortunately, you can use a box cutter to cut the plank patterns.
When deciding which direction to run your luxury vinyl plank, you can play with the colors, textures, and patterns to create a unique look.
Determine Which Adhesive To Use
Depending on the type of vinyl plank flooring you are installing, you may need to use a specific adhesive. You should check with the manufacturer before you decide which adhesive to use. Some types of vinyl plank flooring require a paint-on primer to fill in the pores of the subfloor.
Most manufacturers recommend that you have at least six inches between the seams of the planks. It is important to allow a little room for expansion during the warmer months. It is also important to have a quarter-inch to half-inch perimeter around where the plank meets the wall.
Some types of vinyl plank flooring are designed to be installed without adhesive. This allows you to quickly install the flooring. However, you will need to make sure that you do it properly.
The first step in installing vinyl plank is to determine the direction you want the planks to run. You can do this by dividing the room width by the plank width. This will give you a rough idea of how much extra material you will need to cut the waste. You can make this easier by using a carpenter’s square.
Once you have determined the direction you will be running the planks in, you should buy extra planks to ensure that you have enough for the whole room. Buying extras will ensure that you have enough planks to replace the ones that get damaged or worn out. You should buy at least 15% extra flooring for the more complex lay patterns.
Once you have determined the direction you want the planks to go, you should lay the vinyl planks out. You can place the first plank with the short edge lining up with the junction of the chalk lines. This will minimize the amount of cutting you will need to do.
You can then lay the planks in sequence along the chalk line. You should try to lay the planks so that they will stagger in order to avoid seams. This will make the room look more natural.
After the flooring has been installed, you should wipe away the adhesive from the planks. If you have a glue-down style of vinyl plank, you should let it set for about 24 to 48 hours before walking on it.
Laying The Flooring
Regardless of whether you are installing vinyl plank flooring on a new subfloor or over an existing one, there are many steps you need to follow before installation. The first step is to plan and determine the direction you want to lay the planks in. This will help you determine how many cuts you will need to make.
In order to determine the best direction to install the flooring, consider the natural light sources in the room, the transitions between the rooms, and other features in the room. These factors will affect the overall look of your floor and will help you decide on the best way to lay the planks.
Once you have determined the direction you will be installing the flooring, mark the first row of planks with a chalk line. This will ensure that the first row is square. Once the first row is installed, you can move on to the second row.
If you are installing the flooring over an existing subfloor, you will need to prepare the room and the subfloor by cleaning the area. Using denatured alcohol, you can wipe the underlying floor clean.
Once the floor is clean, you can start laying the planks. You will need to use the manufacturer-recommended adhesive and start at the center of the room. Then, working outward, apply the adhesive to each plank. The edges of the planks will need to be trimmed so that they are level with the subfloor.
When you have finished laying the first row of planks, it is time to cut the planks to size. This is a good opportunity to check for any fasteners that are already on the floor. If you do not see any, it is a good idea to cut the last row of planks to half their original width.
Whether you are installing the planks over an existing floor or over a plywood subfloor, you will need to patch the area. Use a concrete patcher or plywood-leveling compound to remove any bumps and dips in the subfloor.
Once you have a smooth subfloor, you can begin laying the vinyl planks. Make sure to use shims and a 1/4-inch expansion gap around the perimeter of the room. This will prevent the floor from warping in the middle.
Trimming The Flooring
Whether you are removing or installing vinyl plank flooring, you will want to make sure that you cut the material correctly. While vinyl is lightweight and forgiving, it can crack and split if it isn’t cut carefully.
In order to cut the planks, you will need a specialized cutter. You will also need to wear protective eyewear and handle power tools carefully. You should mark each section with a carpentry pencil, and use white chalk or grease marker to indicate where you want to cut.
If you need to make a large cut, you will probably need to use a jigsaw. If you aren’t comfortable using one, you can also cut the planks with a utility knife. The guillotine-style blade is particularly useful for cutting vinyl planks. You will need to push the blade against the backing rather than forcing it through.
If you are trying to cut a curve in the flooring, you will need to break two cuts at the ends of the row. In addition, you will need to cut the bottom of the notch.
To score the edges of the plank, you will need a pair of sharp scissors. You can also use a carpenter’s square to make a straight line.
After you have made the cuts, you can reuse the planks for the next row. You can also cut a small section of vinyl for filling in small gaps or to help you work around obstacles.
You can also use a self-retracting tape measure. This type of tape has a metal lip on the end, which makes it easier to attach to the vinyl planks. Pull the tape measure toward the desired cut location, and double-check the measurement.
Before you start installing the planks, you will need to patch the concrete subfloor. If the surface is uneven, use a floor-leveling compound. Once the floor is level, you can use a pneumatic Brad nailer to attach the baseboards.