Is Luxury Vinyl Plank Installation A DIY Project?

DIY projects are becoming trendier each day. One of the most popular ones is luxury vinyl plank installation. Because of materials such as tile and hardwood, we tend to think of flooring installation as a time-consuming and difficult process. However, due to advancements in technology, new materials are flooding the market, ones that can be installed in less than a day. Luxury vinyl planks are highly durable, water-resistant, and can be made to look like wood. Additionally, they are the perfect project for DIY enthusiasts since their mechanism functions like a jigsaw puzzle, with clicking two planks together.

If you cannot decide whether this material is right for you, here is some information about the installation process that can help you make the right decisions for your home:

THE BENEFITS OF LUXURY VINYL PLANKS

Before we discuss the installation process, it is important to note the key benefits of luxury vinyl planks. First of all, we must highlight that luxury vinyl comes in a variety of styles, including ones that imitate wood (hence the expression that is wooden flooring on a budget). This enables buyers to choose a design which will perfectly blend in with the rest of the interior.

Secondly, luxury vinyl is much more affordable than other materials. This can be seen right at the start of the installation. For other types of hardwood floors, one must add an underlayment before the installation. But, in the case of luxury planks this isn’t necessary since the underlayment is added into their design.

Third and final, luxury vinyl planks have all the benefits of regular vinyl. Some of them are high durability, water resistance, and long lifespans. They aren’t as warm as carpets, but they aren’t as cold as tile as well, so if you want to make the floor a bit warmer, you can always add a few rugs or underfloor heating systems.

WHAT ABOUT THE SUBFLOOR?

Every flooring installation’s first step is fixing and cleaning the subfloor. Luxury vinyl can be installed on top of many types of subfloors including tile, concrete, vinyl, and even wood. However, these subfloors must be straight, dry, and clean.

This means that you must nail loose spots which produce squeaks, get rid of rotten materials, and clean the entire area from dirt and debris. If you had a carpet before your new vinyl planks, you must also remove the staplers which came along with it. This can easily be done with pliers, even though the process is a bit time-consuming.

Lot of people forget though how the subfloor must be free from moisture, mold, and rot. If you notice any damp spots or leaks, immediately call flooring experts to address the bigger issue. You wouldn’t want your luxurious new planks to get stained and damaged by preexisting faults.

HOW MUCH WORK IS INVOLVED?

Some experts suggest that the actual installation of luxury vinyl involves less work than preparing the subfloor. This isn’t necessarily true in all cases, but it might be the best way to demonstrate how easy luxury vinyl installation really is.

Truth is, there aren’t many tools involved nor any intensive labor. You won’t need a nail gun and a table saw, but instead you can finish the work with a utility knife, some pliers, and knee pads. As we mentioned before, the planks are clicked together rather than being nailed, so this will save you a ton of money for expensive tools.

SOME IMPORTANT DIY TIPS

Even though the installation process is easy, there are still some things you should be careful about. To prepare you for every type of situation, here are some important tips both from expert interior designers and flooring professionals:

• The planks are easy to install, you just need to click them together. But, to achieve maximum results, use a rubber mallet to tighten the two planks and secure an unbreakable connection.

• Decide in which direction your planks will be running. If they are directed from back to front (toward the door), they will add depth to the space while if they are directed from one side to another (left to right), they will add width and make the space look broader.

• Start laying the planks after you decide your direction. Choose which wall you will start from and lay the first row. You might need to cut and adjust the planks for them to fit the wall’s perimeter. Remember to reuse the cutoff pieces in the next rows since you don’t want to end up with unused extra pieces.

• When you get to a corner, cut the plank to fit around it. When you get to a doorjamb, it is better to cut the jamb instead. You can also cut the plank, but it would take a longer time to do so. Cutting and adjusting the plank can be done with a utility knife. You can use a plier to help you grab the cutoff piece.

SHOULD I CHOOSE LUXURY VINYL PLANKS?

As you probably figured out by now, luxury vinyl plank is one of the easiest materials to install. It also offers tons of benefits, so there isn’t a reason why a homeowner wouldn’t choose it for their next remodel. However, everything sums up to personal preferences.

If you are in love with the idea of having authentic stone or wood in your house, then go for it! In the world of flooring any type of issue can be solved, so if you work with the right company, you will surely get your money’s worth.

When it comes to DIY projects though, luxury vinyl plank is definitely the safest option out there. There aren’t many things that can go wrong with this material. In fact, even in the worst case scenarios, it will always provide you with strength and durability.

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