How to Make Fake Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are generally nailed or glued down, and are a major investment of time and money. If you're not looking for a showcase formal floor, but rather something inexpensive and durable for a kids' room or utility area, you might consider a vinyl fake-wood glueless floor. There are several brands out there, all of which are designed to be easily installed over any flat, firm surface. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Hammer
- Pry bar
- Glueless vinyl floor planks
- Wall spacers
- Utility knife
- Finish nailer
Instructions
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1
Remove the trim from the perimeter of the floor with your hammer and pry bar. Don't break it. Set it aside.
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2
Set the first vinyl flooring plank alongside your starting wall (generally the longest uninterrupted wall in the room) at one end. Set spacers between the plank and the walls to make a 1/4-inch space.
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3
Set the next plank against the end of the first one, connecting it as instructed by your particular brand of planks. In most cases, they will simply snap together.
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4
Lay more planks off the first ones, end to end, spanning the whole edge of the floor. Put spacers along the wall the whole way.
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5
Use a utility knife to cut the final board at the end of the line, scoring it with the utility knife and bending it until it breaks. Lay it with the cut side facing the wall.
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6
Lay the second course alongside the first, snapping the planks together at their long edge and working your way across. Start the second course at the opposite end from the first, so the ends of the planks are staggered between courses.
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7
Continue building across the floor row by row. Use your utility knife to cut the planks of the final course along their lengths, so they fit against the wall with a 1/4 -inch space.
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8
Reinstall your floor trim with a finish nailer. The trim will hide the 1/4-inch spaces around the perimeter.
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