How To Install Sheet Vinyl Flooring


by Bill Prudehome - Date: 2007-02-26 - Word Count: 592 Share This!

Any competent home handyman can install sheet vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring is an excellent choice for kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, and sunrooms. It resists water and provides much more comfort to the feet, calves, and ankles than ceramic, natural stone, hardwood or laminate flooring. You can easily update your entire room by installing new vinyl flooring. If the area is large, it is wise to have a helper to assist in moving and placing the sheet vinyl into position.

Required Tools: Tape Measure Trowel Straight Edge Utility Knife Floor Roller (rent)

Step 1

Measure The Floor Area: Sheet vinyl is sold in standard widths of 6', 12' and 15', with the most common being 12'. The most difficult part of any sheet vinyl installation is seaming - joining 2 pieces together. If possible, buy a large enough width to avoid having to seam pieces together.

Step 2

Prepare The Room: Remove all furniture, appliances, floor ventilation grills and the toilet if applicable Remove all doors Remove any baseboard or other floor trim moldings. Check the wall for any nails that may have pulled through the molding during removal. Remove these nails from the wall. Vacuum the area, paying special attention to areas that were previously covered by the baseboard

Step 3

Prepare The Sub-Floor:

Concrete - To install sheet vinyl over concrete you must insure that the surface is dry, smooth and clean. All holes and cracks must be repaired using concrete filler. Grinders can be used to shave high spots. Vinyl Flooring - You can install new sheet vinyl over old sheet vinyl or linoleum providing that the existing material is in reasonably good condition. Embossing leveler can be applied with a straight edge trowel to smooth rough textures. Remove any damaged or loose vinyl flooring. Floors Requiring Underlayment - In order to install vinyl sheet flooring over hardwood, embossed, cushioned, or an uneven floor you will first have to install an underlayment. It is important to note that any bumps or dips in the floor will, over time, show through the new floor. A ¼" BC plywood is a suitable underlayment for vinyl sheeting (check local codes). Always use a plywood that is of underlayment grade.

Step 4

Cutting The Vinyl: The new vinyl flooring must be allowed to acclimatize in the room where it will be installed for at least 24 hours prior to doing any cutting or installation of the product.

Sheet vinyl can be measured and cut to size using 2 different methods:

Measure the length and width of the floor to be covered. Proceed by cutting the sheet vinyl 3" wider than the floor area on all sides. Lay the sheet vinyl on the floor to be covered and trim the excess material away. If your room has few angles and/or obstacles you will find that this method is the easiest to implement.

Create an exact pattern of the floor layout. Transfer the layout from the pattern to the vinyl and make the necessary cuts prior to laying it in place. This method works well with thicker vinyl flooring and/or in rooms that have a complex set of angles or recesses. Most retailers that sell sheet vinyl will have installation kits that contain paper, marking pen, tape, cutting blade, and a complete set of instructions to make an accurate template.

Step 5

Installing Your Vinyl Flooring:

Depending on the type of sheet vinyl you have purchased it will require either a full-bond or a perimeter-bond adhesive. There are different adhesives depending on the type of sheet vinyl that you are installing. Make sure that you have the correct adhesive for your product.


Related Tags: floor, flooring, floors, sheet, vinyl, vinyl flooring, linoleum, sheet vinyl flooring, adhesive

For additional information on flooring products for your home or other home renovation, landscaping and gardening projects, visit Renovation Headquarters.

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