How to Buy Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring comes in more colors and designs than ever before. It makes an attractive, reasonably priced choice for kitchen, bathroom and laundry room floors.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Measure the floor area to be covered with vinyl.

2. Go to several home centers or flooring showrooms and look at the various types of vinyl. Bring samples of paint, wallpaper and curtains to help select a flooring style that will go with the rest of your decor.

3. Determine what type of flooring you want. Vinyl flooring comes in two primary forms: large rolls or small (usually 12-by-12-inch) squares.

4. Consider the traffic the floor gets. High-use areas may warrant a more durable (and expensive) product.

5. Make your selection and order the flooring.

6. Purchase sufficient adhesive to lay the quantity of flooring you are purchasing. Inquire with the salesperson regarding the manufacturer's specifications in this area (most manufacturers suggest a certain amount of adhesive per square foot).

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that vinyl flooring is not a structural flooring material (as is 3/4-inch oak, for example) and you will need a plywood subfloor in place to lay the vinyl.
• Make sure that the subfloor is clean and level before installing the vinyl.

on 11/22/2005 If you remove your skirting boards before laying your floor, you can lay the floor to the very edge of the room. When you replace the skirting boards, you will have a much more professional look, and can even use silicone sealant on the corner.