Transforming your living space with new flooring can significantly enhance both its appearance and functionality. If you’re considering a flooring update and love the idea of a DIY project, click and lock luxury vinyl plank flooring is an excellent choice. Known for its ease of installation and maintenance, this type of flooring is particularly suitable for homes with pets. In this guide, Lindsay Zuelich from Wood Brain shares her experience installing TrafficMaster Rigid Core Click Lock Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring around her vintage fireplace, providing a step-by-step tutorial to help you rejuvenate any room effortlessly.
Preparation: Setting the Stage
The success of your flooring installation starts with proper preparation. First, ensure your subfloor is clean, level, and free from cracks. Remove any existing carpeting or old vinyl flooring and take out the baseboards temporarily. If there are large fixtures or furniture, like a vintage fireplace, decide whether to remove them temporarily or install the flooring around them. Using a high-quality shop vacuum, thoroughly clean the floor to remove all debris and dust, creating a perfect base for the new flooring.
Measuring and Acclimatizing the Flooring
Accurate measurements are crucial for a successful installation. Use a tape measure to determine the room’s length and width, accounting for a 1/4-inch expansion gap at the room’s perimeter and adding an extra 10% of flooring to cover potential waste and matching patterns. Before installation, allow the flooring planks to acclimate to the room’s temperature and humidity for at least 48 hours. This step ensures that the vinyl planks won’t contract or expand post-installation, which could disrupt the floor’s integrity.
Installation Process: Laying the Foundation
Begin by adding an underlayment, such as the Roberts AirGuard with Microban, to enhance cushioning and reduce noise. Start the installation at the room’s longest wall, which helps minimize cuts and waste. Lay the first plank, properly spaced from the wall, using spacers from the Roberts Laminate and Wood Flooring Installation Kit. This kit helps maintain the necessary expansion gap and prevents the planks from shifting during installation.
Plank Installation: Click, Lock, and Secure
Install the TrafficMaster Rigid Core Click Lock Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring by starting from the corner of the room. Lay each plank at an angle, slotting the tongue edge into the groove edge of the adjoining plank, then click it into place. Use a rubber mallet and an installation tool to securely join the planks, ensuring there are no gaps. As you proceed, continue to use spacers to maintain the expansion gap. For aesthetic variation and to avoid repetitive patterns, pull planks randomly from at least three different boxes.
Custom Fitting and Completing Rows
When you reach the end of a row or need to fit around obstacles, you may need to cut the planks. Utilize tools like a floor cutting tool, a circular saw, or a jigsaw for precision cuts. Start new rows with the offcuts from previous rows to reduce waste and enhance the floor pattern’s natural look. Continue with the angle-and-snap technique for each row, ensuring each plank is firmly locked in place.
Finishing Touches: Baseboards and Appliance Reinstallation
Once all the planks are laid, remove the spacers and install the baseboard trim to conceal the expansion gaps. Nail the trim in place and apply silicone caulk around areas exposed to moisture to prevent water damage. If you had to remove large appliances or fixtures, like a fireplace, now is the time to reinstall them using the appropriate tools.
With the new luxury vinyl plank flooring installed, your space will not only look refreshed but also be easier to maintain—ideal for pet owners and busy households. The durability and aesthetic appeal of vinyl plank flooring make it a fantastic choice for any DIY home renovation project. Enjoy the transformation of your living area as you step onto the newly installed floors, appreciating both the beauty and practicality they bring to your home. This project is a manageable endeavor that can be completed over a weekend, offering a satisfying update to any room.