When to do a DIY Vinyl Floor Installation
When it comes time to install your new vinyl flooring, it’s necessary to decide whether you want to do a DIY or professional installation. There are advantages to both strategies, but knowing which method is best for you and your home depends on many factors. One of the primary perks of a vinyl floor is its extreme accessibility for DIYers homeowners; the variety of installation systems, which include floating click-lock and peel and stick, help create a quick and easy renovation experience. However, minimum knowledge of floor installation techniques and a lack of equipment always makes professional installation a safer option. Check out this guide to learn whether a DIY or professional installation will work best for your vinyl flooring project:
Are you prepared?
While vinyl flooring is an ideal surface for DIY installations, it’s still has certain requirements. Before you consider this route, you need to make sure that you have the necessary equipment and experience with home repair. The type of vinyl flooring you’re installing also plays a role in figuring out what equipment you’ll need. Homeowners sticking with a flexible core vinyl flooring option typically only need a utility knife, tape measurer, carpenter’s square, ruler and pen. However, if you’re planning on installing a more solid core vinyl flooring product, you’ll need more equipment; power tools like jigsaws or table saws may be required. If you don’t own the necessary equipment or if you have no prior experience using them, it may be worth it in the long run to seek out the services of a professional installer.
A crucial element to DIY vinyl flooring installation is having the right equipment beforehand.Are you experienced?
The DIY route may be a great way to save some extra money up front. Unless, of course, you wind up installing your floor incorrectly, which may result in costing you a lot more in the long run. Professional installation usually comes with a warranty or guarantee if you do end up unsatisfied with the service. But just because you’ve never tackled a flooring project before doesn’t mean it’s impossible to complete. To make things easier, first time DIYers should consider using peel-and-stick vinyl flooring because it tends to be the easiest to install just by reading the directions. If you don’t trust yourself for a project as important as flooring, then a professional installer is probably the right choice for you.
“Just because you’re choosing to go it alone for your vinyl flooring installation doesn’t mean that you can’t seek out expert advice.”Start small
Anyone who is interested in taking the DIY approach to vinyl flooring installation for the first time should consider starting small before attempting to repair major projects around the house. Since vinyl flooring is a recommended surface for bathrooms due to its moisture-resistance capabilities, try to install the flooring in the smallest bathroom in your home. This will help get you better introduced to the primary elements of DIY installation, such as measuring the dimensions, chalking out the square lines, applying the adhesive, etc.
Remember, if you choose to go it alone for your vinyl flooring installation, it doesn’t mean that you can’t seek out expert advice. Contact a professional flooring installer prior to your project, and see if they can provide you with a few tips and suggestions to help make the experience much smoother. Also, feel free to contact a BuildDirect product expert with any of your vinyl flooring questions. Call 1-877-631-2845 or email sales@builddirect.com, we’d love to hear from you!
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Debra Beek
We have small bathroom to diy Armstrong Designer Solarium vinyl into. The vinyl has a top coating of plastic sheeting that is peeling off. Is it supposed to come off after installation?
Erika
I have a 60 yr old heart pine floor of 3″ wide tongue & groove planks. I am ready for an easy care floor now and want to install no-glue luxury vinyl planks throughout the first floor of approx. 824 sq.ft. While the surface of the pine planks is smooth, there may be a very slight dip of floor joists due to age-related shrinkage; if so, it may be barely perceptible. Should the vinyl planks be installed in same east/west orientation as the pine planks, or perpendicular as north/south. The rooms are 17’x14′ and the original pine planking was installed parallel to the 17′ wall. Can you advise if the vinyl should be installed in same direction as the existing pine planking?
GREG
When installing vinyl plank flooring, do you have to consider which direction your floor joist run as you do with hardwood floors?
BuildDirect Product Expert Team
Hi Greg,
Thank you for getting in touch! You do not have to consider the floor joists when installing vinyl plank. I usually suggest laying the floor parallel to the longest wall in the area. This will make the area look larger. Please let us know if you have any other questions!