DIY Home Improvement - Installing Sheet Vinyl

Sheet vinyl has gotten a bad rap over the years. Because it is an inexpensive flooring option, many people think it's not durable and turn their nose up at it. But I love it! Sheet vinyl flooring is easy to install yourself, is available in thousands of different styles and colors, and it is very affordable. It's easy to clean and care for and looks beautiful for years. No matter what your budget, you can afford to update the look of your home with new flooring when you choose sheet vinyl.

One thing I learned about installing sheet vinyl is that it's a lot like installing vinyl wallpaper, on a much larger scale. You'll need to make sure you begin with a straight line, lay the vinyl down evenly, smooth out the air bubbles, and wash away the adhesive when you're done. If you've ever put up wallpaper, you already have the basics down for laying this type of flooring!

Quick note - Measure the floor and purchase more flooring than you actually need. This will be beneficial in the event you need to patch vinyl flooring in the future, or need scrap vinyl for moving heavy appliances across the floor.

Materials needed to install sheet vinyl:

- Sheet vinyl
- X-Acto knife
- Scrap plywood
- Adhesive
- Trowel
- Framing square
- Floor roller
- Bucket, sponge, and warm water

Before you begin…

Empty the room - Remove furniture, appliances, and all other materials off the floor. If there are doors that open up into the room, remove them from their hinges.

Remove the baseboards - If you're working in a room with baseboards, remove them to properly install sheet vinyl. Learn more about how to remove baseboards.

Clean the floor surface - The surface area will need to be absolutely flawless before you begin to lay down vinyl. Even the smallest bump, groove, or obstruction will show through when the new sheet vinyl is glued in place.

How to install sheet vinyl:

Step 1 - Make a scale drawing of the room showing the exact outline of the flooring. Take note of any objects that will need to be cut around, such as a toilet.

Step 2 - Cut the sheet vinyl to the approximate size and lay it in the room where it will be installed. Make sure it will fit! Allow the material to stay in place overnight to adjust to the temperature of the room. This will make it easier to work with.

Step 3 - Fit the inside corners of the sheet vinyl and make sure that the pattern is even. If you begin with an uneven line, the entire floor will be off kilter. Once you've determined the pattern is even, cut diagonally through the vinyl until it lays flat. (Place a piece of plywood beneath the vinyl before cutting to protect the sub floor)

Step 4 - Go around the room and press the vinyl evenly against the walls. Use a framing square to cut the vinyl to fit. Tip - The flooring will expand slightly, so leave an extra 1/8" wide gap at the wall before cutting.

Step 5 - When you've made all your cuts, your floor is ready to be set in place. Loosely reroll the vinyl face in and begin applying the adhesive with the trowel to half of the room. Spread the adhesive evenly, extending to the corners and cracks of the vinyl. Any globs of adhesive will show through, so be as consistent as possible with your application.

Step 6 -Every adhesive is different; check the packaging directions to see how long it needs to set before the vinyl can be laid in place.

Step 7 - Repeat steps 5 and 6 to the other half of the floor.

Step 8 - Wipe the entire surface down with warm water to remove any excess adhesive. When the adhesive dries, it will be virtually impossible to remove and can eat the pattern off of the vinyl.

Step 9 - Work from the center outward to smooth the entire surface with a floor roller. This will remove any air bubbles, press out any glue globs, and give your finished flooring a smooth finish. (Floor rollers can be rented by the hour)

Step 10 - Go back over the floor with a sponge and warm water to remove any trace of adhesive.

More from Jennifer Wagner:

Take the Guesswork Out of Choosing a Caulk

How to Patch Damaged Vinyl Flooring

How to Remove Trim and Molding

Source:

Personal knowledge and experience

Jennifer Wagner - Yahoo! Contributor Network