Homeowners prefer a flooring option, which is strong and durable and requires the least amount of care and maintenance. That is where vinyl flooring fits in well and enhances the look of the entire space.
You might be aware that glue or adhesive is usually used to lay down vinyl flooring in a home or apartment. This makes the installation a bit challenging because installers need to first cut it to size and then adhere it to the surface with adhesive. What if you could cover floors with vinyl without using glue? Interestingly, this option is available for you as well. The vinyl that is installed without adhesive is referred to as “loose lay”, and it is getting very popular for obvious reasons.
Given below is the step-by-step procedure that is carried out to install loose lay vinyl sheets or planks in a home or apartment.
Get Ready
Before the installation of vinyl sheets can begin, it is crucial to have all the materials and tools at hand. Since this is a glue-free installation, the process is actually much simpler than most other installations.
Not too many tools are required. All you need to have are scissors, a utility knife, and a push broom. To lay loose lay vinyl sheets, you will need to have butcher paper or kraft paper and a heavy-duty shop staple gun. Once you have all these in order, the installation can be started without any wait.
Take Floor Measurement
It is crucial to cut the vinyl sheets to the proper size. Therefore, you should first take all the measurements and then create a paper template. The marking and measuring should be done in a precise manner. Based on the measurements you have taken, create a template on paper. One important consideration here is the expansion gap. You will need to leave an expansion gap around the edges as per the brand of vinyl sheets you are using. For this, you should carefully go through the manufacturer’s manual or seek the advice of a professional.
Cut Flooring
Once the template is ready, you can spread it over the vinyl sheets and cut as per specific needs. Use the utility knife to properly cut the loose lay luxury vinyl sheets following the outline you have drawn.
This is the step where it is easy to make mistakes. Cutting the vinyl sheets to size is a job that requires experience. If you end up cutting a smaller size than what is required, you will not be able to go back and fix it. The trick is to cut a little larger than smaller. If the size is slightly larger, you can always go back and trim the additional material to get the ideal size.
Sand and Clean the Subfloor
The uneven concrete floor will ruin the quality of installation. Over time, the vinyl sheets will wear and tear as a result of this.
So, make sure you prepare the subfloor for the installation in a proper manner. If there are rough edges, sand them over. Get rid of popped-up nails and anything which makes the floor rough or uneven. Sand and clean the entire floor area and remove all the imperfections you can find. This will ensure smooth application of the vinyl sheets and the installation will be perfect.
Lay Out the Vinyl Sheets
Now, it is time to roll out the loose lay vinyl sheets in the room. Remember to abide by all the expansion gaps as planned before. After the luxury vinyl has been spread out, you will need to smooth it out.
When you first spread out the vinyl sheets on the floor, the sheets may not be entirely smooth all across. Give it a close look all over and look out for any kind of wrinkles or bulges you can find. It is also a good idea to shine a light on the sheets from an angle to be able to see the wrinkles or dents. Spend some time taking care of these small blemishes. Removal of the wrinkles that might develop here and there is crucial for a top-quality flooring installation.
Staple the Perimeter
Loose-lay vinyl doesn’t require the use of glue. Glueless flooring makes the process of installation easy and swift.
Loose-lay vinyl sheets are designed to lay flat on the floor of a room without any glue or adhesive. All you need to do is simply roll out the material on the floor, smoothen it out with a push broom, and then you are done. This is because this flooring material comes along with a heavy fiberglass backing. However, it is a good idea to affix the material further along the perimeter using staples. Use the staple gun to drive staples all along the perimeter. While you are driving the staples, make sure you do not place them too far outward or too far inward.
If the staples are too far outward, the edges can tear soon. If they are too far inward, they will not serve the purpose. Therefore, be careful while you staple and keep a
Install Baseboards
Once you are done with driving the staples in place, it is time to cover them so they are not visible. So, you can now install the baseboards. Just remember to attach them properly.
Glueless vinyl flooring has emerged as a preferred option for many homeowners across the nation. This is because this type of flooring and installation comes with its own set of practical benefits. Since the material is glued down with an adhesive, you can remove it without any trouble. Anytime you feel you want to change the flooring in your room, you can remove glueless vinyl and replace it with a new one. As a result of these benefits, you will save a lot of money too.
FAQ: Glueless Vinyl Flooring
You may have a few questions in your mind regarding the installation of adhesive-free vinyl flooring. For your clarity and understanding, here are the answers to some of the most common queries.
Q. Which is better – Glue or Glueless Vinyl?
A. Usually, vinyl sheets and planks need to be laid down with glue. However, you also have vinyl flooring options that can be installed without using adhesive. Which is better depends on where exactly you want it to lay down. Glueless floors work well in smaller spaces.
Loose-lay vinyl sheets may not be a good option for areas that are large or where you get a lot of traffic regularly.
Q. Can I install vinyl over the existing floor?
A. Vinyl sheets or planks can be easily laid down over an existing floor. If you choose other materials such as tile flooring, you will not get this benefit. Before the installation of vinyl, all that is required is that the existing floor is clean and even. All rough areas need to be smoothed out.
Q. Is loose-lay vinyl flooring a good option?
A. Of course it is. Glueless vinyl sheets or vinyl planks look more natural and provide a wonderful experience for family and friends. What is important is that you purchase the material from a reputed dealer or supplier. If you are in Manchester, NH, you can always rely on Minuteman Floors for getting top-quality vinyl products as well as hire their specialists for proper installation.
Q. How do you install loose-lay vinyl?
A. The installation of loose-lay vinyl is both easy and fast. In short, you first need to sand down the rough areas and clean the subfloor. After the area has been leveled, simply cut the vinyl to the required size and spread out the material. The details of the procedure have been discussed above.
Talk to Vinyl Installation Experts
If you still have questions or concerns about laying down glueless vinyl in your house or apartment, head straight to Minuteman Floors. Located in Manchester, New Hampshire, we deal in premium quality vinyl products and provide expert installation of the material as well. Our professionals will give you the much-needed guidance to help you select the right type, color, and pattern. Whether you want to install vinyl sheets or planks, our specialists are always at your service. Our company is known to offer superior quality products at competitive prices.
To schedule your free consultation, give our office a phone call or shoot us an email using the contact form on our website.