How to Perform Luxury Vinyl Flooring Installation

If you’re looking for a high-end look at a budget-friendly price, there are few better options than luxury vinyl plank (LVP). Styled with the latest in natural stone looks and hardwood species, LVP is a durable, waterproof option for any room of your home. And with the addition of an extra-protective layer, it’s even easier to resist dents and scratches.

Unlike other flooring materials, such as carpet or hardwood, installing LVP is a relatively easy DIY project. In fact, most homeowners can complete a professional-looking flooring installation themselves in one day. With the right tools, including a tape measure and pencil to mark cuts and a utility knife for length cuts, as well as a table saw for width cuts, you can install your new floor with minimal cost and no special skills.

When preparing for your floor’s installation, start by thoroughly cleaning the subfloor and making any necessary repairs to ensure a smooth surface. It’s also important to keep in mind that, depending on the subfloor and the type of click-to-mat floor you choose, an underlayment may be required. Most manufacturers recommend adding an underlayment to help create a moisture barrier and provide cushion for your floors.

Once you have all your flooring accessories, it’s time to start laying your vinyl. If you’re using a click-and-lock system, make sure the room is warm and dry, and carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions for laying your flooring. Some LVP products require a thin pad to be installed beneath them, which helps add a layer of cushion and soundproofing.

For glue-down installations, you’ll need a few additional supplies to prepare the subfloor and bond your adhesive. MSI offers a wide selection of floor preparation products, including Concrete and Floor Primer, which creates an optimal surface for your adhesive, as well as Multi Use LVT Adhesive, which bonds directly to concrete or wood and provides a strong, long-lasting connection with low odor and mildew resistance.

It’s always a good idea to read the product specific instructions before beginning any project, but essentially, you’ll need to remove your flooring from its packaging and allow it to acclimate to the room for 24 hours. After acclimating, you’ll begin your flooring installation, ensuring the first row is square with the edges of the doorway and baseboards. Use spacers between the rows to keep them apart and account for potential expansion during the acclimation process.

When you reach the last row of your floor, you’ll need to cut the last piece of plank to fit it into place. Use a table saw or a utility knife to make the cut, and use tapping blocks to ensure a secure fit. Finally, install the molding or trim you need to cover any transitions between your floor and other surfaces, such as existing flooring, doorways, fireplace hearths, etc.

Although you can save money by installing your own floor, it’s a good idea to hire a qualified flooring contractor for a thorough and accurate installation. A well-installed floor will reduce the risk of buckling, gaps and unevenness, which can be costly to fix.

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