Vinyl Floor Installation – Preparation is Key!
The installation of vinyl floors whether its vinyl plank flooring or vinyl sheets usually lies on a subfloor such as underlay or a backing layer which provides insulation between the solid/hardboard or wooden floor and the vinyl. The thicker the backing material the more comfortable the vinyl wooden planks will be to walk on and you will also have greater sound proofing properties.
However, before undergoing any vinyl floor installation and purchasing the type of vinyl flooring you want, it pays to check and prepare the floor you will be placing the vinyl layering on. For example if you have a solid floor such as concrete which are usually found in basements you will need to check if there is any moisture as this will eventually destroy the vinyl and self adhesive that was used to glue the vinyl planks down or will undo the glued joints as found on konecto style flooring.
With concrete flooring you may get dusting which will appear within the vinyl no matter how many times you clean it! The solution to this problem is to apply a concrete floor sealer sold by the majority of flooring suppliers. Finally, make sure the floor is even and this requires a self levelling compound if your floor is uneven.
If you have wooden flooring, then there are certain checks you will be prudent to undertake before gluing down or connecting any vinyl tile or sheets. As with solid floors check for dampness as this must be resolved if you want a long lasting floor. Secondly, check for evenness in the floor and ensure there are no lose fitting wooden floor boards.
Also check for woodworms/rot which will give a spongy feel as you walk over the floor. Finally, any damaged boards will have to be removed and if there are any old carpet tacks lever them out with a claw hammer. The most practical way to ensure a perfect floor is to line the floor with hardboard.
Okay, the room is prepared for vinyl floor installation. What a pain that was but it’s worth it to avoid the heartache and frustration later on! You now have a few decisions to make as to what type of vinyl floor planks you require. The choice is mind boggling from the Michelangelo Spanish Pebble to the Picasso wood plank.
The designs are amazing and you will have lots of fun viewing them all or you may just like the wooden designs most famous at Armstrongs. Anyway, you may need to consider the vinyl tiles come with built in underlay which makes it soft underfoot along with extra durable coating for toughness.
Bear in mind that with vinyl floor installation some vinyls must be glued down which takes time and is more expensive if you have floor specialists undertaking the work. Alternatively with some vinyl, the weight secures them in place as well as a tongue and groove with a self adhesive which is quicker and easier to lay.
Vinyl Floor Installation
by Kevin Turner
