Install Sheet Linoleum Flooring without Glue

  • 6 hours
  • Advanced
  • 850
What You'll Need
Self-Adhesive Sheet Linoleum Flooring
Straight Ruler
Hand Roller
Floor Roller (100lbs)
Floor Leveling Compound (Latex)
Heat Gun
Utility Knife
Seam Tape
Broom or Vacuum Cleaner
Hacksaw
Hammer
Trowel
Level
Embossing Leveler
Sandpaper
Embossing Compound
What You'll Need
Self-Adhesive Sheet Linoleum Flooring
Straight Ruler
Hand Roller
Floor Roller (100lbs)
Floor Leveling Compound (Latex)
Heat Gun
Utility Knife
Seam Tape
Broom or Vacuum Cleaner
Hacksaw
Hammer
Trowel
Level
Embossing Leveler
Sandpaper
Embossing Compound

Sheet linoleum flooring is a cheaper and better option for playrooms, kitchens, or entryways compared to other types of flooring. It is made from natural materials and thus is environmental-friendly. It comes with a special protective layer that protects the linoleum flooring from color fading, scratches and stains, and allows for easy cleaning and maintenance. It does not trap moisture and dirt and is anti-bacterial.

Installing sheet linoleum flooring with adhesives or glue can be a messy project. However, with the new floating system, installing it need not be messy anymore. With proper installation and maintenance, linoleum flooring can last beyond 40 years. Follow the step-by-step guide below for installation without glue.

Step 1 – Level Subfloor

Sand away ridges or bumps on the subfloor with sandpaper. Fill the low or dent areas with latex floor leveling compound. Using a level, make sure the floor is level and smooth before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2 – Cover Patterned Floors

If your floors are heavily patterned, cover it with an embossing leveler using a trowel. Make sure that the textured surfaces are smoothed out.

Step 3 – Remove Floorboards and Molding

Remove floorboards and molding that are attached to the walls with a prybar or hammer. Pry away the boards gently. Remove and set aside the nails from the boards to be reused later.

Step 4 – Cut Door Jamb

Hold up a portion of the flooring against the door jamb at the bottom. Mark the flooring’s height on the door jamb. Then, use a hacksaw to cut the door jamb where you make the markings so that you can fit the sheet linoleum flooring under it later on.

Step 5 – Sweep or Vacuum the Floor

Remove all debris and dirt thoroughly. Sweep or vacuum the floor with a broom or vacuum cleaner.

Step 6 – Place the Sheet Linoleum Flooring

Place the unrolled sheet linoleum flooring inside the room where you want to install it. Let it sit inside the room for 2 days. This is to allow the flooring to settle into the temperature changes within the room.

Step 7 – Cut the Sheet Linoleum Flooring

Unroll the sheet linoleum flooring so that it is put out across the entire room. Leave a gap of 1/8 inches at one end so that there is room for expansion over time. Create a 1/8 inch gap at the opposite end by cutting with a utility knife and ruler. You will need a helper to hold down the sheet linoleum flooring while you cut. Repeat this step again to cut the second piece of sheet linoleum flooring. Check the edges for the tongue-and-groove connector (which can be usually joined by hand) by laying the 2 sheets beside each other.

Step 8 – Heat the Seams

Add seam tape to the bottom of flooring where the 2 sheets meet. Then, line the connectors up along the sides by laying adjacent row on top. Then, heat the seams with a heat gun.

Step 9 – Roll Seams

Use a hand roller to roll the seams so that they are set firmly. Repeat this step with other seams as you work across the entire floor.

Step 10 – Roll the Whole Floor

After installation of the entire flooring, use a 100lbs floor roller to roll over the whole floor. This eliminates any air pockets or bubbles and ensures that the floor is smoothened.

Step 11 – Re-install Floorboards and Molding

Re-install the floorboards and molding you have taken out earlier. This is to ensure that the expansion gaps are covered.