How to Install Vinyl Planks

Vinyl planks are a popular and fairly inexpensive flooring choice for homeowners. Vinyl planks are water- and scratch-resistant and come in a variety of colors and finishes, from rustic to highly-polished. Because of their durability, vinyl planks are perfectly suited to provide a wood finish in wet areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. One of the biggest advantages to vinyl plank flooring is the ease of installation. The average homeowner should be able to install vinyl planks and will not need expensive specialty tools to do so.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vinyl planks
• Adhesive
• Tile spacers
• Utility knife

1. Choose a starting place in the room. The most common place to begin installing planks is in the most highly visible corner of the room. Place tile spacers on both sides of the wall in order to keep the floor at a proper distance from the wall.

2. Apply adhesive to a section of the floor and lay a full plank in the corner. If the planks are self-adhesive, then peel the backing off and place the plank directly on the bare floor.

3. Cut 1/3 away from the total length of the next plank in order to stagger the length and make the flooring more realistic. Use a utility knife to score the plank, then bend the plank to snap off the end piece.

4. Install the second piece along the length of the first piece, using the appropriate adhesive method. Install the remaining 1/3 piece of plank along the length of the second piece.

5. Repeat the pattern in Step 2 through Step 4 until you've established a base plank along the entire stretch of wall.

6. Install full length planks at the end of each starting plank and continue across the room. Cut the final plank at the end of each line of planks to fit against the far wall.

References

• As the Builder: Tips to Install Vinyl Floor Tiles