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Fitting & Installation Guide

LVT Online always recommends using a professional fitter for Luxury Vinyl Tiles. If you are within the Lancashire area we can provide a fitter, pleae contact us here for further details. Otherwise we would recommend using the NICF website to find a professional fitter in your area.

Installation Guide

Step 1 – Prepare for Installation

This is a very important part of the process and should not be overlooked or rushed. At least 48 hours prior to installation you should place your Luxury Vinyl flooring in the room to where it is to be fitted to acclimatise. Once you have done this you can start your installation. During the installation make sure to mix planks from different boxes to blend the dye lots and patterns for a more uniform appearance.

A Little Helpful Trick Of The Trade

You may install vinyl over vinyl if the existing floor is one layer thick.

Step 2 – Starting Installation

It is at this point that if you are going to remove your skirting boards, now is the time.

Step 3 – Prep Your Sub Floor

Again something that should be not overlooked is the preparation of your sub floor. As with everything its all in the preparation to make the final product shine in all its glory. Firstly make sure that it is clean, dry and level within 3/16-inch change per 10 feet. If you have some dips in your floor then use some self-leveler and on the high spots sand down to make smooth and level with the rest of the floor.

Planning The Floor And Marking Out

Step 1

Always remember to keep in mind that some walls may not be straight, so it’s important that you create a starting line square to the room. To do this mark out the centre of each wall and put a chalk line between them with a snap line.

Step 2

Now measure from the centre to the starting wall and mark this distance at each end of the wall. Snap a chalk line between these two marks to get a straight line against the wall.

Step 3

Finally, you will now need to calculate the width of the last row. It really needs to be approx 1/3^rd of a tile in width. If it will be less than 1/3 of a tile then cut about 1/3^rd  of the tile off the first row for even starting and finishing rows.

Now score and cut the tongue off the first row of vinyl planks. To do this have handy a Stanley knife with a sharp blade then set the first plank in place on the starting line with the cut side toward the wall, maintaining the expansion gap.

Now take the second tile and at a slight angle against the plank that you have just put down place it at the plank’s end and fold down to click it into place.

A Little Helpful Trick Of The Trade

The end piece must be at least 6 inches long. If it’s not, cut a bit off the first plank and slide the row.

Step 4

You now need to cut the last piece of flooring to fit. To do this score the plank with a utility knife and snap the plank.

A Little Helpful Trick Of The Trade

You can use excess cut pieces to start rows if the pieces are at least 6 inches long.

The Second Row Onward

Always make sure that the joints are staggered by at least 6 inches. Now measure and cut your first piece accordingly, using a cut end from the first row if necessary.

Step 1

Insert the tongue of the first piece into the groove of the previous row’s first plank and rotate down to click together.

Step 2

For the next piece, connect the short end first and then connect the long end. You should feel it lock.

Step 3

Continue the installation, making sure to stagger the joints by 6 inches and maintain the expansion gap.

Step 4

You may have a couple of tricky parts to fit within the room such as getting under the door frames. There are a couple of ways to deal with this. Firstly you will need to make sure there is a gap at the bottom of the door frame that will be the same thickness as the plank that you are fitting. Once you have done this then slightly bend the planks into place and use a pull bar or tapping block to lock the joint if necessary.

Finishing

The part that everyone is now looking forward to, the finished article. So all you now have to do is replace the skirting boards if you removed then and add any door trims to create a nice neat edging.

Once you have done this, stand back and admire your handy work.