An Expert Guide to Vinyl Flooring Installation…
Installation
Sheet Vinyl
It’s the backing that determines how a vinyl floor is installed. A felt layer adheres to the subfloor, and felt-backed sheet vinyl can be installed on, above, or below grade level on most subfloors, with the exception of carpet.
Fiberglass-backed vinyl can be installed without glue. Fiberglass offers more dimensional stability than felt, so it will lie flat without curling. Thus, fiberglass backing offers more installation options than felt-backed vinyl.
There are three methods of installation:
- Perimeter-glued/stapled – where the adhesive is applied around the sides, or perimeter of the vinyl, or the vinyl is stapled.
- Full spread – which involves applying an adhesive to the entire floor.
- Loose lay – where no adhesive is applied. A modified loose lay method places adhesive in strategic locations.
Sheet vinyl will expand and contract with changes in temperature, so attaching it only at the edges allows it to move with the subfloor beneath it. The perimeter method can be used over plywood, concrete and even some old vinyl floors.
The full-spread method is sometimes used for sheet vinyl. After the adhesive is applied to the floor, the sheet must be rolled out to eliminate all bubbles and lie flat. Because vinyl will take on the contour of the subfloor, it’s imperative that the subfloor be carefully prepared when using this method. If sheet vinyl is installed over a wood subfloor, installation will require a plywood underlayment.
Sheet vinyl with felt backing can be installed using the full-spread or perimeter installation methods. Sheet vinyl with fiberglass backing can be installed using the loose lay or modified loose lay method, or with full-spread installation. Of course, any installation that includes using adhesive will be stronger than a loose laid floor. But it will be harder to remove when you decide to make a change.
One of the newest developments in vinyl sheet flooring is glueless fiberglass-backed sheets.
More to consider . . .
Sheet vinyl is generally sold in 12′ rolls. If you’re installing it in a large area that requires that you cut and seam pieces, you’ll need to have the seams fused using a seam sealer designated by the manufacturer. This is most likely a job for a professional, not a do-it-yourself project.
Sheet vinyl with fiberglass backing can accommodate some imperfections in subfloors, but if it’s loose laid, it can buckle with changes in temperature and humidity unless 3/16″ to 1/4″ is left around the perimeter so that the subfloor can move.
As with any flooring installation, correct preparation of the subfloor is a crucial step:
Over concrete “ a skim coat of floor leveler is applied to make a smooth, uniform surface.
Over wood “ an approved plywood underlayment must be installed to ensure that the surface is level.
Over existing vinyl “ a special compound called an embossing leveler is used to fill in uneven surfaces, patch dings and make a level bed. It’s not advisable to remove an old vinyl floor.
Vinyl Tile
There are three kinds of vinyl tiles, categorized by the way they are installed:
- Glueless tiles “ installed with adhesive tabs or spray adhesive. These come with a roll-out underlayment and grid pattern to follow for proper installation.
- Peel-n-stick tile “ installed just as the name implies, where a paper backing is removed to expose a strong adhesive.
- Full-spread luxury vinyl tile “ installed over an adhesive layer that is applied to the subfloor with a trowel.
Vinyl tiles can be installed on, below, or above grade. As with sheet vinyl flooring, the key to proper installation is a smooth, level, dry subfloor. Surface imperfections, however small, will show through to the surface of the new floor. Keep the following considerations in mind when installing vinyl tile:
Over concrete – the floor must be cured properly before tile is installed, so time should be taken to test for moisture emission rates and Ph level. It’s recommended to allow a new concrete floor to cure for several months before installing vinyl. A latex primer may be required on the subfloor if the vinyl tiles use a self adhesive.
Over wood – when installing vinyl over a particle board floor, it’s best to use sheet vinyl rather than tile. The expansion and contraction of the wood can cause the vinyl tile seams to separate.
Over existing vinyl – an embossing leveler should be used to make a smooth surface. Luxury vinyl tile should not be installed over an existing vinyl floor; it will never bond well.
More to consider . . .
Before installing, vinyl tiles should be shuffled, to distribute any color variations from different dye lots, and laid out on the floor to make sure they look good. The backs should be checked for directional patterns, and tiles should be laid with the arrows on the back going in one direction.
If you are going for a checkerboard effect and you have some irregularities in the subfloor that you want to deemphasize, the arrows should be alternated in different directions.
The adhesive on peel-n-stick tile is unusually strong; so if you make a mistake, you’ll have a tough time getting the tile up. Careful measurements are a must!
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