Repeat steps #2-3 to complete row three. Commercial laminate planks typically measure three or four feet long. (Step-by-Step Tutorial), How to Install Glue Down Vinyl Plank Flooring? How to Cut out a Section of Carpet & Put in Laminate, How to Install Self-Adhesive Floor Tiles on Top of Old Tiles, How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring in a Long Narrow Room, Beautiful houseplants that also repel mosquitoes, cockroaches and other pests. Press the tool firmly on the plank so that the tool will not shift. Remove the planks from their boxes and mix them up. This technique helps reduce waste. Installation Steps: Unroll the sheet and cut it to size, just as you would do with the typical loose lay method. Inquire with your manufacturer about the most effective insulation. There has to be a bit of leeway and that is why the staggered design works. Vinyl planks are typically 2 to 3 inches wide, so the 6 inches spacing rule would apply. You're still using 1 plank per row. Roll back the vinyl sheet from the edge and line the perimeter using double sided vinyl tape. You may need to cut the first plank in the new row to create the desired stagger. Tips To Install Vinyl Planks Around A Toilet, How To Install Vinyl Plank Flooring Under My Vanity, How To Turn On An Electric Shower In A Bathroom, How To Manage A Shower Head For Bathrooms, Do You Put Vinyl Plank Flooring Under Vanity With Legs? Do not compromise on this as that can lead to unwanted repairs in the future. Measure two-thirds of this plank and mark a small vertical line with your pencil. Based on the research done into the installation of vinyl planks, the staggered approach makes sure the planks are easier to take out and will also be easier to maintain if something were to go wrong. The key to properly staggering vinyl flooring is to ensure that the first plank in every third row is at least two-three inches longer or shorter than the first planks in the two rows. Follow this step precisely it will ensure a smooth surface. Another faux pas to look out for is the step pattern. 3. This is where staggering comes into action. A dulled blade can create jagged edges on the vinyl planks. Lay the first plank, appropriately spaced from the wall. The rows of laminate 2.1 1. 9. The placement of vinyl plank flooring has to be excellent. Check that the tongue side has been removed before proceeding, as the groove side will be required during the assembly process. Thats the general idea. 15 x 6= 90 pieces. Multiply the exposed plank width of 6 inches by .833 to get 5 inches. use with paint or products other than vinyl flooring . They can be anywhere from 5 to 12 inches . For row two, score and snap the first plank in half. Continue in this manner for the remainder of the row, trimming the last plank as needed. I then select one from each pile as I lay and click the row being careful to look for the same pattern not being beside the one Im clicking in. This can lead to eye-catching, and not in a good way, weird joint patterns. It is also a good idea to order a few extra planks in case of any mistakes or damage during installation. [Answered!! Mixing up the boards helps with staggering planks of different color shades for a more natural look. Don't push the "six inch" rule, that only applies to end cuts near the walls. Staggering the end joints helps to avoid the creation of lines that run perpendicular to the direction of the floor, which is aesthetically pleasing. Lay the plank down, making sure that the end of the plank is at least 6 inches away from the closest joint in the first row. Lower the second plank to snap the planks together. That makes 6 inches the most common minimum spacing for 2- and 3-inch hardwood boards, but laminate planks are typically wider than this. The key to staggering your vinyl plank flooring is all in your first piece. (Step-by-Step Tutorial), How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring on Stairs? Due to the fact that vinyl planks are commonly 2 to 3 inches broad, the 6-inch spacing guideline would be applicable. Do not compromise on this as that can lead to unwanted repairs in the future. Do You Have To Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring? Failure to properly acclimatize the planks to the surrounding environment may result in warping or buckling of the planks after they have been installed. Allow a 1/8-inch expansion on its right side and secure the plank to the first row of planks by pressing the adhesive strips together. Adhesive if following glued-down installation. Racking the floor to create a random stagger pattern serves two purposes: one that is aesthetic and the other, structural. How to Determin Which Direction Install Vinyl Plank Flooring? Divide 1.667 by 2, which equals 0.833. Use the offcut from the second row to begin the fourth row and the one from the third row to begin the fifth row. Drop By My House is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The straight tile pattern is not the best for extremely narrow kitchens. Measure one-third of this plank and mark a small vertical line with your pencil. The vinyl planks have jagged edges because the blade is dull. Structurally, adjacent end joints that coincide or occur close to each other are more likely to separate. Step 1: To begin with the installation and stagger the vinyl planks, the first thing you need to do is to cut the top 1-inch adhesive strip from the first board. . You should be following this step precisely as it will help to give the floor a . Keep the offcuts and use them to begin the next row of stitches. It is much easier to install than hardwood flooring and requires no special tools. Find Out How Many Vinyl Planks Are Required. Step 2: Take the first board and cut the top 1-inch strip from the board. The subfloor should be clean, dry, and level. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Installing laminate flooring for beginners, The importance of a flooring stagger pattern, The recommended distance between end joints, Two patterns to avoid: H-Joints and steps, A technique for creating a stagger pattern as you go, National Wood Flooring Association: Installation Guidelines, Wood Floor Business: How to Rack a Wood Floor for Installation, Rempros.com: Standard Laminate Flooring Dimensions. Leave a gap for your transition strip to fit and fasten it. Lay a full plank to begin row one. Above all, a kitchen will have cabinets and appliance . The capacity to resist moisture and the versatility of its appearance has made it a more and more popular flooring material over the last few years. To start row 3, cut a full-width plank to the length of the trimmed, ripped piece at the end of row 1. Apply vinyl adhesive to the subfloor and lay the plank into the adhesive. Lay the planks on the packaging paper when measuring and cutting. To prevent the tool from moving, firmly press it on the floor. If you do this incorrectly, your floor will appear to have been built by a novice. With a straight edge and a utility knife, cut the first row of planks to 5 inches wide, cutting off the tongue side of the plank. Just got this laminate flooring, started picking it and installing, was looking for same plank from each box to fit shapes, which gave me 3 planks per row, without stagger. That is, it would take 21.39 planks to complete the floor. Make as much space as you can spare in the area where you will be laying the DRICORE panels. Vinyl flooring is strong and stable on its own, but staggering can add to the floors structural strength. If you want to make this operation go more quickly, cut the carpet into shorter strips that will be easier to manage with your utility knife. I set my normal stagger at 16" and maintain that throughout the floor. When starting the next row, avoid having the short ends of the planks line up with the seams on the planks in the adjacent row. Your email address will not be published. [Super Simple Steps], Which Direction to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring? (Step-by-Step Tutorial), How to Cut Vinyl Plank Flooring? Generally, it is recommended that the space between the end-joint of adjacent rows be about 6 inches, but this will depend on the size of the planks. The goal when creating a flooring stagger pattern is to distribute the ends joints as randomly as possible. Follow these steps to create a staggered pattern for your new vinyl floor. long by 93.5in wide. If the result is smaller than 6 inches, cut 12 inches or 1/3 of the entire plank and start the first row. If its not straight, draw a chalk line as a guide rather than relying on the wall. Additionally, you will be able to estimate the correct size of the planks in the start and last rows using this calculationboth of these planks must be the same size in order to create a suitable staggered pattern. Place First Board. Tools and Supplies You Will Need to Stagger Vinyl Floor, Prep Steps to Prepare for Staggering Flooring Planks, Steps for Staggering Vinyl Plank Flooring, How to Fix Frigidaire Dehumidifier FO Code Error? After a few rows, you should get the hang of it. Vinyl planks come in the same size, which can make it challenging to stagger the pieces. 10. Finally, damp mop the floor to remove residue from the cleaning chemicals. 15 planks horizontal acroos the room. Adjust the plank to leave a 1/8-inch gap at the top and right side. Once you snap the planks together, they stay that way. If you are installing vinyl planking over an existing floor, be sure that the subfloor has been properly prepared to ensure that the planks adhere properly and do not easily fall apart during installation. If you discover that the planks on the last row are set to be smaller than the planks on the previous row, you will have to trim the planks on the first row to match the size of the planks on the last row. 8. Make use of the offcut from the fourth row to complete the seventh row. Because of this, many people ask themselves, How do I stagger vinyl plank flooring?. If required, cut the boards for the first row so that the last row has a minimum half-width plank. Thats all there is to staggering vinyl floor planking. My planks are 6in. When you are thinking about installing vinyl plank flooring, you will want to make sure it is easy to maintain. x48 in. Step 1: Test the moisture content of your concrete subfloor. Vinyl flooring can be used to create a realistic replica of, Read More What is Vinyl Flooring [Ultimate Guide]Continue, However, even while vinyl flooring can withstand a great deal of abuse, especially in high-traffic areas of a home, it still needs regular maintenance and cleaning to keep it looking its best. Wood Grain Vinyl. Contact us now so that we can start brainstorming! Cut your starter, so it is at least 2" longer or shorter than your previous two starting pieces. After laying out your flooring in the entire room, re-attach your trim and baseboard. Furthermore, staggered strengthens your flooring layout. When you reach the end of the second row, you can cut the plank to make it fit the remaining space. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Store your planks in the room where they will be installed for at least 48 hours before installation. Trace around the boards with a marker. Also, read the installation material that comes with the flooring. Different Layouts for Vinyl Planks or Tiles; Why Would You Stagger Vinyl Planks? Feel free to alter the plan to suit your personal preference, but always ensure the boards are staggered between 6 to 12 inches apart. ), Best Deck Paint For Old Wood (Top Picks! As you work, check to make sure that the planks are straight and that the staggering looks even. This is an excellent way to uplift your floors without breaking the bank. Would the joints occur as randomly placed? For a staggered pattern on your new vinyl floor, follow the procedures outlined in this guide. I stack up all the pattern repeats in similar stacks (typically about five, with a few the same patter but reversed. 3-section vinyl roller. Read our Terms of Use and Disclosures page for more information. Most vinyl planks are 36 inches long, so measure 24 inches down the plank and mark the measurement with your pencil. It is also a good idea to have a partner to help with the installation, as the planks can be heavy and awkward to handle on your own. Once you have determined the number of panels required, we recommend purchasing 1 package of leveling shims (24 shims/package) for every 60 panels. Know More About H-Joints And Step Patterns. Step 1: Prepare For Installation. This results in a neat, staggering pattern that also offers added structural stability. This space allows the planks to expand and contract without buckling. Vinyl flooring designs support this method. Mixing the Planks Up. (Answered! You decide to start with a piece that is 10" long. Step 5: Start laying the fourth row. The only thing left after removing the carpet and pad are tack strips and probably some staples that were used to keep down the carpet pad in place. Since LVT is engineered wood flooring, the pattern . What do you suggest? Does your staggering example above work for 2412 inch planks? You will want to keep things simple and continue to follow the rule of thumb where there is an 8 stagger between the planks. It also strengthens your floor. First, measure the length of the room and divide that by the length of a board. When the spacing between the first and second row is replicated on the third row, the pattern is formed. However, going over 10 inches can make it difficult to avoid H-joints. In general, the beauty of a staggered design is good and modern. Then Go For Second Row Plank. This type of stagger will closely tie the floors together. Even lay out all the pieces before snapping them in place. Divide this number by the length of a full plank. If you get the vinyl plank flooring arrangement just right, your friends will have no idea that you made it yourself. Place the first plank with the tongue side towards the wall, being sure to allow 1/8" for. 11. What is the one thing you are going to want to think about when it is time to set up vinyl plank flooring at home? To do this, start the first row with a full plank, install the row, cut the last plank to length and save the off-cut. For example, it will remind you to use 1/4-inch spacers between boards and walls. Our website is supported by advertising. FAQ. Again this is a floating floor that needs to float as a unit. In terms of aesthetics, staggering the end joints avoids creating lines that run perpendicular to the direction of the floor. Copyright 1990 - 2023 | Flooring Masters & Professional Remodelers, Inc. | All Rights Reserved. When these lines are visible, they obviate the fact that the floor is composed of identical panels and detract from the illusion that the flooring's hardwood pattern is trying to create. However, if your planks are broader, you can extend the spacing to a maximum of 10 inches, although 8 inches is the best distance between each plank. Start the second row with the plank that was leftover from the first row. This will help ensure that the floor is secure and that the planks do not come apart over time. To create an . Install the plank so that the tongue-and-groove side is facing the wall. For planks wider than 5 inches, you can raise the minimum to 8-10 inches. If the last piece in the row is less than 6 inches, cut a small piece of wood from the first plank to allow the last piece in the row to be longer than 6 inches. Wear protective gear, such as goggles and gloves, to prevent injury. Install one plank at a time after the first one is down, continuing until you have covered the entire length of the wall with planks. Once you have cut them out, install your flooring. Lay down the plank with the tongue side facing the wall. The trick to stagger vinyl plank flooring successfully is to play around with the minimum spacing and laying down the planks randomly. To begin the sixth row, cut a new plank to a random length from the previous one. From modern to rustic, there is a style to suit any environment. Our goal is to deliver high-quality information to help homeowners decide which type of flooring to install in their homes. It can be installed by one person using standard household tools. We'll also offer some tips for a professional vinyl plank flooring installation you'll be proud of for many years to come! The tapping block will help prevent damage to the planks, while the rubber mallet will provide enough force to securely attach the planks. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Vinyl sheet flooring is nearly 100 percent waterproof, making it a great floor covering for kitchens and bathroomsa claim few other floorings can boast. NO! This strip will cover the gap between the two types of flooring and help to create a seamless transition. Nexus Wood Look Floor Planks: Transform your floor for a low cost and no hassle with the Nexus Vinyl Floor Planks. Lay the first full plank on the floor, beginning on the right-hand side corner of the room with the visible adhesive tongue facing out toward the room. When the end joints are properly staggered, each end joint gets reinforcement from the planks on either side. This will help create a consistent and cohesive look for the floor. Place the speed square or T-square so that the top of the tool rests plumb on the top of the plank and the edge of the tool rests on your pencil line. Depending on how wide the planks are, you can increase the minimum to 8 or 10 inches.. Save the shorter cuts of planking between the sheets of packing paper in the vinyl planking boxes. If your vinyl plank is 36 inches long, measure and mark this plank to 12 inches. If they look too uniform, youve got an H-joint or Step/Lightning problem which can be solved by following the information below. Cut planks that are All the Same Length. Then, using a utility knife, trim the tongue from the meat. If not, cut a plank with an 8-inch offset joint from the first and continue laying the planks. To start the third row, pick up a whole plank and cut it into a random length that allows a minimum spacing of 6 inches from the closest joint. The number of planks required to cover the entire floor can be calculated by multiplying the width of the room by the width of the planks. (Step-by-Step Tutorial), Step-by-Step Guide To Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring, Staggered Vinyl Planks Make for a Stable Floor, How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring on Wall? Then, use a utility knife to trim off the tongue. It is also sometimes referred to as vinyl plank flooring, vinyl tiles, or peel and stick tiles. (Step-by-Step Tutorial), How to install vinyl plank flooring? If you have to remove the existing flooring, youll need some additional tools, such as pliers, a pry bar, a hammer, and possibly a screwdriver to complete the job. Last update on 2023-02-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. The Step or Lightning problem: The same applies to a step-pattern in the flooring. Placing the vinyl planks in the room beforehand will make the flooring more durable. How To Install Vinyl Plank Flooring On Concrete (Step-By-Step Tutorial) Home; Products . Keep Distance Between Seams. The packaging paper protects the adhesive strips and prevents the strips from collecting dust and dirt as you work. Set First Tile. Ask the Home Flooring Pros, What isLVP Flooring? (Answered! Don't pull fast; you might tear the backing, and a fresh edge is difficult to raise from the center . But a more severe uneven subfloor could make your floating vinyl planks buckle and be noisy. Use these planks for the other side of the room when you need shorter pieces as you near the wall. It is not just about the looks but also making sure it lasts longer as soon as it is in place.