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How to lay vinyl plank flooring

Occasional chair with pillows, between two green plants.

Overview

Breathe new life into your floors by upgrading your floorboards with these easy-to-install, waterproof AquaSmart Hybrid Vinyl Planks. You can even lay them over your existing flooring!

Steps

1Seal your subfloor before laying vinyl plank flooring

Paint a coat of sealant onto your subfloor. Protect the bottom of your walls and cabinets from a splash of sealant by covering them with strips of masking tape. Once the floor is sealed, let it cure for as long as required before you start laying your vinyl planks.
Person measuring piece of timber with measuring tape.

2Mark the centre line on your floor

Choose which direction you'll lay your vinyl planks. Once your direction is sorted out, measure the floor to work out where the middle of your middle row will sit. This is your centre line. Hammer a nail at each end of this line and then tie a string chalk line between them. Snap your string chalk line to mark your centre line on the floor.
Person placing thing metal separator between piece of vinyl flooring and wall.

3Lay the first row of vinyl plank flooring

Lay the first row of vinyl plank flooring by peeling off the back for each plank and flattening it into place, over the top of the centreline. Each vinyl plank has a directional arrow on its backing paper. To get the best visual result, lay all your planks facing the same way.
Person hitting vinyl flooring with rubber mallet.

4Lay more rows of vinyl plank flooring

Lay the second row of vinyl plank flooring next to the first. Stagger the second row so the end of each plank lines up with the middle of the plank in the previous row. When laying the third row of planks, use your combination square to make sure its joins line up with the joins in the first row. Keep this staggered pattern going the whole way across the floor.
Person measuring piece of vinyl plank flooring with steel ruler.

5Lay vinyl plank flooring around cabinetry

Some of your vinyl floor planks will need to be trimmed to fit around the kitchen cabinets. Measure and mark out your lines on each plank and make your cuts with a trimming knife. To get the best results, go over the cut line two or three times instead of trying to cut through in one go. Once your trim is finished, remove the backing paper and stick the plank in place.
Person laying down vinyl plank flooring.

6Lay a short end of vinyl plank flooring

Sometimes you only need a short end of a plank to complete a row. A quick way to measure your cut line is to lay the plank in position with its backing still on. Then use your combination square to mark where it hangs over the previous plank and make your cut there. Now take off the backing paper and stick the plank in place. It's worth keeping your offcuts in case you have any small sections to fill.
Person filling in crack between vinyl plank flooring and wall.

7Walking on a dream

You're done! And how great does it all look? Plus, bonus – not only is your new flooring is waterproof, and it also comes with a 25-year warranty!

8Watch more from the home office episode

For more handy projects, check out the home office makeover by Keira Rumble from Make It Yours.

Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.