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When it comes to putting in a floor covering, there are not that many options that are easier to install than a vinyl floor covering. Vinyl is great as far as absorption and maintenance go, and a vinyl floor covering just needs to be rolled out and glued down when installed. There are several things to keep in mind as you go, however, because if you miss some steps than you may have to do the job all over again.
The first step is determining which type of vinyl floor covering you want to use. There are two kinds- perimeter bond vinyl is glued around the edges, while fully bonded is glued to the entire floor. I prefer fully bonded, as it reduces the chances of bubbling. Keep in mind that this type is also harder to fix up if you make any areas. Next, measure the dimensions of the room you want to add the vinyl to to get and idea of how much material you will need. Make sure to remove any trim or baseboards as well as any type of removable stand alone structures (such as sinks) as these will be in the way and it is necessary that the vinyl edges be covered up by them. Once you have purchased your vinyl floor covering, leave it in the room where it is to be installed for a couple of days in order to season it. Vinyl may shrink a bit in direct sunlight, and you do not want this shrinking to occur once the vinyl has already been placed on the floor. Prepare the underlayment for your vinyl floor. Remember that vinyl is thin and also adhesive, so any imperfections will have to be resurfaced as the vinyl will not cover them up, and may make them appear even more stark. Old vinyl works well as an underlay, as does plywood. Clean the floor well to remove any dirt or wax, and then dry it thoroughly. Now create a template of your floor plan for which you will base the cutting of your vinyl. Use some thick paper and cut around your island and corners to determine where you will need to cut the vinyl. Lay your vinyl out in a large area (such as your basement or garage) and then tape the template securely on. Make sure that the patterns on your vinyl match up, in some cases this will call for some overlap. Use a good utility knife (NEVER use a dull blade, it will tear the vinyl) to cut around the template pattern. Remember to check with the store where you buy your vinyl to find the best adhesive for your material. When laying the vinyl floor covering, use a trowel to spread out the adhesive and a roller to secure the vinyl at the edges and in corners. Roll your vinyl out first to make sure it fits in the room and also to make sure that it will no inhibit any door openings. Press any wrinkles out to the edges, and then roll the vinyl halfway back and lay out the adhesive. Roll the vinyl back out, and do the same with the other half. Roll out any wrinkles with the roller. One of the advantages of vinyl floor covering is that unlike tiles, it is really that simple to install. Make sure to cut any seams in the vinyl floor covering along the most continuous line in the pattern (many vinyl floor covering models will come with grout lines that are perfect for seams).
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Vinyl Flooring