Who would’ve thought that vinyl click would get so popular? Us! We love the stuff thanks to its easy installation, impressive durability and cost-effectiveness, and what’s more, its global popularity is on the rise. If this has whetted your appetite for LVT or you already had a flooring makeover in mind, you’ll want to read on to learn how to fit vinyl click flooring like a professional.
This guide has been designed for beginners and intermediate DIYers alike, so fear not – the process is fairly simple and easily replicable by anyone competent with general handiwork and with a steady pair of hands. Let’s get into it.
First up, what is vinyl click flooring?
For newbies undertaking the installation of vinyl floor tiles, before we go into how to lay them, it’s worth cultivating a good understanding of what exactly they are. This way, you’ll know what the process will entail from the outstart.
Put short and sweet, vinyl click flooring is a type of luxury vinyl tile (LVT) that combines the practical benefits of traditional glue-down LVT with the convenience of a click installation. By click installation, we mean that no adhesive is required during the fitting process, and this is because each plank or tile is manufactured with special tongues and grooves that allow them to slot together in a system that sits above the floor. We flooring experts call this a “floating floor”.
You guessed it! Thanks to this straightforward installation method fewer materials are required and a slightly lower skill level than, say, ceramic tiles. This isn’t to say that a reasonable amount of ability and effort aren’t required.
One of the most versatile products on the market
Besides LVT’s capacity for a floating floor installation, there are many qualities that make it one of the most sought-after flooring materials. When compared to other types such as laminate, LVT tends to be more hardwearing, scratch and stain-resistant (ideal for pet owners!) as well as a beautiful solid wood alternative that still performs brilliantly when it comes to appearance. And finally, it’s also compatible with underfloor heating!
How to lay vinyl click flooring in 7 steps
With these crucial facts out of the way, it’s time to get down to business. Below we’ll outline how to fit vinyl click flooring in 7 straightforward steps.
1) Preparing your floor for LVT installation
As they say, failing to prepare is preparing to fail, so make sure you complete the right preparation before you buy anything at all. We can break down these preparatory steps into three parts: getting your measurements right, prepping the subfloor and ensuring it’s cleared of any dirt and debris.
Measuring the room
There’s only one way to work out how much underlay and LVT you need – measuring the room accurately. If the room is a consistent rectangle or square, it’s only a matter of multiplying the width by the length.
Working with an irregular room? Be sure to effectively cover all recesses, nooks, and crannies, and carefully incorporate them into your work by dividing the floor into smaller rectangles. Additionally, remember to include 5-10% extra material to ensure you have enough floorboards and avoid running short.
Making sure the subfloor is structurally sound
Similar to laying engineered wood flooring, or any other floor for that matter, it’s essential that you start from a level and well-prepared floor. Begin by taking up the original floor and checking the quality of the underlay, if you’ve just moved to a new property or this is the first time you’ve done the floor, it’s more than likely that it will need replacing.
There’s also the problem of aged and uneven boards on the subfloor, or even wonky concrete, and things like old fireplaces that need removing or blocking off. If you place a spirit level on your subfloor and find that it’s not level, this is when it’s advisable to bring in the experts to help you with the preparation as it can be notoriously tricky.
Ensuring the subfloor is clean
When you’re happy with the state of the subfloor, it’s time to give it a good tidy to get rid of any residual debris and dust. And, of course, remove any bits and bobs from the room.
2) Choosing the right flooring for your project
With the peace of mind that your subfloor is ready, you can choose your LVT. Take care to consider some of the following elements, so you find the perfect match for your home:
- Pattern and colour
- Lifespan and durability
- Grade and thickness
- Scratch and stain resistance
Once you have what you want in mind, it’ll be easy to pick a brand. We work with Karndean, Luvanto and Polyflor to make magic for our clients, so these are a good place to start. We’ve even cut bespoke patterns for previous customers – the sky’s the limit!
3) Gathering the tools you’ll need
With your LVT purchase ticked off, next up is ensuring you have all the necessary tools on hand. To lay your LVT, you’ll need:
- A tape measure and spirit level
- Suitable underlay, damp-proof membrane and primer (if laying on concrete)
- A ruler, pencil, Stanley knife or saw
- 7-10mm spacers
- A rubber mallet and pull bar
4) Acclimatise your vinyl click tiles
Whatever you do, please don’t skip this step! The repercussions of doing so simply aren’t worth it. Acclimatising your LVT allows the tiles to adjust to the temperature and humidity of the installation environment, promoting a stable and long-lasting finished floor.
To do this is pretty simple as well. All you need is to place the flooring packs flat in small stacks on the dry floor around the room where you intend to lay them. We recommend avoiding hot or cold spots and protecting them from direct sunlight. Failing to do so can lead to issues such as warping, buckling, or other complications.
5) Get the LVT underlay in place
To prepare for a floating installation of LVT, you will need to install a suitable underlay and a damp-proof membrane if necessary. Start by placing the underlayment roll at one end of the room and roll it out towards the opposite wall. Trim the excess at the other end using a utility knife. Ensure that the edges of the underlay meet without overlapping to avoid an uneven floor and attach each roll with adhesive tape.
If you’re laying LVT on a concrete subfloor you will need to put a damp-proof membrane in place before the underlay. To do so, apply a primer to the prepared subfloor to aid adhesion and then lay it out over the entire surface. Seal it in place with a tape or another suitable adhesive.
If the damp-proof membrane is larger than your underlay, overlap it properly. Leave a 10mm gap around pipes and make sure the damp-proof membrane extends slightly up the wall to protect the board edges, which is important for a successful installation.
6) Begin installing the LVT
Start by placing the first plank in the corner of the room, making sure the click-lock system faces the wall and leaving a small gap using spacers for expansion. Connect the next plank at an angle, inserting it into the specially designed slot on the edge. Once it’s in place, use a mallet to tap it and ensure a secure fit.
Continue installing planks row by row, staggering the joints between rows for a nice look. When you reach the end, trim the final row of planks as needed to fit the space. After that, remove any spacers used for gaps and install baseboards or moulding to cover the gaps around the perimeter.
For more complex laying patterns such as herringbone or parquet, we suggest leaving it to the professionals as it requires a lot more patience and precision.
7) Tidy up and enjoy!
Congratulations, you made it! Once the LVT is lovely and snug, fully in place, you can begin tidying up. Then you can put you’re furniture back and enjoy the space right away. That’s right! You can traverse your new floor immediately thanks to the floating floor method.
Some final dos and don’ts
Before we wrap up this article, check out our final tips for a magazine-spread-worthy finish.
Don’t
- Don’t forget floor height differences – If replacing old flooring like tile or hardwood, account for potential gaps under door jambs due to the different thicknesses. Consult a flooring expert for appropriate transitions between rooms.
- Forget to acclimatise the floor – Keep the room at a normal temperature for at least 48 hours before starting the installation, and let the vinyl acclimate to this temperature for at least 2 days.
- Don’t hammer planks – Avoid hammering vinyl planks directly; instead use a pull bar and hit the pull bar to avoid damaging the vinyl.
- Don’t slide heavy furniture over the floor – Put protective pads on heavy items to prevent damage to the vinyl flooring when moving them around.
Do
- Check for subfloor moisture – Test for moisture by placing a piece of scrap vinyl on the subfloor, sealing the edges with duct tape, and letting it sit for three days. If the tape comes up easily, the subfloor has too much moisture for vinyl installation, especially for concrete subfloors.
- Use a vapour barrier over concrete – When installing vinyl over concrete, use a vapour barrier.
- Leave an expansion gap for your click-lock vinyl – Use spacers to leave an expansion gap around the perimeter walls, allowing the floor to expand and contract.
- Read the manufacturer’s instructions – Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning and maintaining the flooring.
- Clean up spills immediately – Promptly clean spills to prevent mould and mildew growth, even though LVT is moisture-proof.
Make your house a home
Et voila! That was everything you need to know on how to fit vinyl click flooring in order to achieve stunning results.
Whether this is your first time or you’re a certified flooring pro, we hope your LVT project goes swimmingly – and if you run into any problems or need a professional on hand to help you out, give us a call. We’ve got plenty of experience in patching up unsatisfactory jobs, and have a great track record of making customers’ houses feel more like homes.
