Intro - Materials - Prep - Floor Prep - Template - Cut - Install
Permits and Codes
Replacing floors comes under the coverage of remodeling and may be regulated by local building codes. A permit may be necessary. Many areas require a permit if more than $100 of work will be done. Always check your local building code before beginning work.
Design
Most Common Mistakes
- When estimating the amount of sheet vinyl, forgetting to account for pattern matching at a seam.
- Unrolling sheet vinyl too early, or waiting too long to lay it, thereby causing it to shrink before it is permanently laid in place.
- Neglecting to use flooring materials with the compatible adhesive and appropriate trowel at seams.
- If you are applying a seamed floor, not laying the smaller section first.
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Often you will be replacing a floor because it is damaged or worn. You will not be completely redecorating a room at the same time. In this situation the decor aspects which you are retaining will give you clues as to which way to go with color and pattern for your floor.
The color you choose will be determined by the predominant color of the room. Neutral tones and single color dominant rooms will make your decision easy. For an obviously multicolored space you will need to determine which color you prefer to emphasize.
For pattern selection, keep in mind that patterns can be combined but are most effectively done by using one large pattern, one medium pattern and one small pattern distributed among walls, fabrics and flooring. These of course should be color-coordinated. If your floor offers a wide expanse of uninterrupted space, a larger pattern may be used. If, however, it is broken up spacially, has alcoves or is interrupted by counters or appliances, a more pleasing effect will be accomplished with a smaller pattern.
You can utilize the pattern to create a visual span from one space to another by repeating like shapes in three by three sections both vertically and horizontally.
What You Will Need
Time. Most vinyl floor installations can be completed in one or two days by a single worker. If restructuring is needed, extra time will be necessary. For a 9 x 12 room, full-spread adhesives will require 9 - 11 work hours.
Tools. Vinyl floor installations require very few tools that are not in every home- owner’s toolbox.
- Pry bar
- Utility knife
- Handsaw
- Hammer
- Scissors
- Pencil or ball point pen
- 1” wide ruler
- Notched blade or utility knife
- Notched trowel
- Rolling pin or seam roller
- Staple gun
- Chalk line
- Carpenter’s square
A hair blow dryer might come in handy, to heat up tiles for making complicated cuts.
Materials
- Craft or butcher paper
- Do-it-yourself installation kit
- Masking tape
- Sheet vinyl or tiles
- Adhesive
- Seam sealer kit
- Staples Vinyl
- wall base
If it is necessary to restructure your sub floor before laying the vinyl, you may also need:
- Leveling compound
- 3/4” T & G plywood
- 1/4” plywood
- 6 penny ring shank nails
Most Common Mistakes
The single most common mistake in any vinyl flooring project is applying the flooring over an improperly cleaned or prepared floor such as a basement floor that has a moisture problem. The other frequently made mistakes are listed before each step.
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Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be submitted to our
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