How to lay vinyl flooring

Before you start, make sure your vinyl is suitable for its intended use. Vinyl flooring is specifically designed for indoor use and works beautifully in spaces like kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms, but it’s not suitable for outdoor use, garages, or surfaces like walls and furniture. So select the room you’d like to install it in, measure up and grab some vinyl sheets. Before starting, carefully inspect your vinyl flooring sheets to ensure they are in perfect condition. Avoid using any sheets with visible damage to achieve the best results.

Tip: If your room has skirting boards, consider removing them before starting. Reinstalling them once you’ve finished laying the vinyl will give you a cleaner finish.

If your floor is made of particleboard, you’ll need to install an underlay such as Masonite to create a smooth base, or in wet areas, consider using a vinyl or cork underlay for extra moisture protection. Make sure the surface is dry, clean, and smooth, sweeping and vacuuming thoroughly to remove all dust and debris. Check for any bumps or imperfections, as these will show through the vinyl once it’s installed.

Also check the room temperature - it should be between 15°C and 28°C, with 22°C being ideal for installation. This helps the vinyl settle properly and prevents bubbling or stretching after installation.

Before laying the vinyl, take accurate measurements of the room, including recesses or nooks. Then, unroll your vinyl tiles or sheet and leave them in the room for at least 24 hours to acclimatise to the environment. This step ensures the material adjusts to the room's temperature and humidity, reducing the risk of stretching or bubbling later.

Position the vinyl on the floor, ensuring the pattern looks straight as you walk into the room. Take a step back and check the pattern alignment. If your vinyl has a design, make sure it runs straight and works with the room's layout. Adjust the sheet gently to ensure everything lines up properly.

Now that the vinyl is laid down and the pattern is aligned, you can begin cutting it to size, leaving an extra 50mm on all sides. This extra space is crucial for making precise adjustments later, especially if your walls or corners aren’t perfectly straight. Take care to smooth out any folds or creases so the sheet lies flat.

Once you’re happy with the layout, you can begin trimming. Use a sharp utility knife and carefully trim along the edges, leaving a small gap of 1–2mm between the vinyl and the wall. This gap allows for natural expansion and contraction and will be concealed later with the skirting boards. For corners or doorways, make small, precise relief cuts. These cuts will help the material lay flat without bunching or tearing.

Before applying vinyl adhesive, check if the substrate requires priming to ensure a proper bond. If needed, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the primer. Once the surface is ready, spread the vinyl adhesive evenly using a 1.6mm V-notch trowel. This technique, known as the wet bond method, requires you to lay the vinyl within 15 minutes of applying the adhesive to maintain its effectiveness.

Work in manageable sections to maintain control and precision. Lay the vinyl carefully into the adhesive, ensuring proper alignment, and immediately smooth it out in all directions using a roller. This step helps eliminate air bubbles and ensures the vinyl adheres firmly to the substrate for a secure, even finish.

Once the vinyl is laid, use the roller to press it firmly onto the adhesive. If you removed skirting boards, now is the time to reattach them for a polished finish on your newly laid vinyl flooring. Regular maintenance is easy—simply sweep or vacuum to keep your floors clean and free from dirt and grit that could scratch the surface.