How to Install Glueless Linoleum

Glueless linoleum can be found in many patterns.

Linoleum is a type of flooring that can be used as the flooring in any room. Most people choose to lay linoleum in kitchens and bathrooms where more household messes occur. Previous standard types of linoleum, either in tile or sheet form, required adhesive to secure the linoleum to the subfloor. Glueless linoleum doesn't require adhesive; it acts like a floating floor. Installing glueless linoleum reduces the mess that can be caused by using floor adhesive, plus if you decide to change your flooring in the future, removing glueless linoleum is simpler than removing glued flooring.

Things You'll Need

• Glueless linoleum pieces
• Carpenter's square
• Pencil
• Paper
• Claw hammer
• Measuring tape
• Tapping block (optional)
• Utility knife (optional)
• Wedges
• Chalk line
• Hand/power saw
• Broom

Instructions

1. Use the broom to sweep the area clean where you will be installing your glueless linoleum. Remove the molding from the bottom of the wall using a claw hammer.

2. Measure the room. Write down your measurements.

3. Measure and mark two reference points on the floor at the walls. Line up a chalk line with these reference points and snap a straight line. Follow the manufacturer's requirements for expansion spacing amounts. For example, if the manufacturer recommends 3/8 inch between the glueless linoleum edge and the wall, you need to measure out 3/8 inch, two times, and mark the line for reference.

4. Place whole glueless linoleum pieces, tongue side facing the wall, at the longest wall. This is the first row. Don't lock the pieces together yet.

5. Use the hand or power saw to cut off the tongue of each glueless linoleum piece that is facing the wall.

6. Lock the short ends of the glueless linoleum pieces together. Place the end tongue of one piece into the groove of the next piece at a slight angle. Push the tongue piece down in its original position flat on the floor, locking the pieces together.

7. Measure from the edge of the last full piece in your first row to your expansion spacing line. Measure this same length out on a full linoleum piece and cut to fit in the end section. Lock into position.

8. Repeat the whole process of laying and locking the linoleum pieces for the remainder of the room until you reach the last row that's opposite the first wall. Make sure you have placed wedges to maintain the proper distance for expansion.

9. Trim pieces using the utility knife or saw as needed to ensure a straight fit. Cut your final glueless linoleum piece to fit in place. Lock your last row into place.

10. Reattach your molding sections in the original locations.

Tips & Warnings

• Place wedges, the size of your expansion spacing, against the wall to help keep your glueless linoleum from shifting during installation.

• You can use the tapping block and hammer to gently tap the linoleum pieces together securely.

• You can check with your local hardware store about renting tools you might need.

• If the linoleum scrap pieces that you cut for the last section of a row are 24 inches long or more, you can use these pieces to start the next row, creating an offset look in the flooring.

• It is important to ensure that your first row is as straight as possible. Because walls aren't perfect, use the carpenter's square, level, and wedges to help; you may also need to cut small portions of the linoleum pieces to make them fit evenly.

References

• Find Any Floor: Installing Linoleum Flooring

Resources

• Find Any Floor: Installing Floating Linoleum Floors