? What is the one thing you are going to want to think about when it is time to set up vinyl plank flooring at home? . Vinyl plank flooring is flexible enough that it can usually be bent enough to fit around door frames and other protrusions. Laminate flooring planks come in 3- and 4-foot lengths, and when you're installing 3-foot planks, you'll want to use a shorter spacing to avoid H-joints. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If the boxes contain planks from different runs of the flooring, and likely they are, they might have slight color differences. How to Cut out a Section of Carpet & Put in Laminate, How to Install Self-Adhesive Floor Tiles on Top of Old Tiles, How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring in a Long Narrow Room, Beautiful houseplants that also repel mosquitoes, cockroaches and other pests. Detailed Guide of 2022, How to Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring A Detailed Guide 2022, Utility Knife with extra blades/Jigsaw/Table saw. These two patterns are the most common rookie mistakes when it comes to installing vinyl flooring. Place 14-inch spacers against the wall before starting your first row of boards. This will create a staggered pattern that looks natural. The packaging paper protects the adhesive strips and prevents the strips from collecting dust and dirt as you work. Staggering planks of different shades are made more accessible by mixing up the boards for a more natural look. Using this calculation, you will also determine the correct size of . If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. This space allows the planks to expand and contract without buckling. Racking the floor to create a random stagger pattern serves two purposes: one that is aesthetic and the other, structural. The goal when creating a flooring stagger pattern is to distribute the ends joints as randomly as possible. Before going too precise, the general concept is to cut the initial plank in the next row 2-3 inches longer than the preceding rows first plank as long as it is at least 6 inches long. Vinyl planks are typically 2 to 3 inches wide, so the 6 inches spacing rule would apply. Equipment; Preparation; Step 1: Start laying the first row. For planks wider than 5 inches, you can raise the minimum to 8-10 inches. Start the second row with the plank that was leftover from the first row. If they are, hammer or screw them into place so that they will not interfere with the new planks. Place your tape measure on the right side of a new plank. If your vinyl plank is 36 inches long, measure and mark this plank to 12 inches. Measure the width of the room, and divide it by the width of the exposed portion of the plank before you start installing vinyl plank flooring. You should stagger vinyl plank flooring. Car Wrap Vinyl. Just an observation. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Home Flooring Pros is a consumer website that specializes in providing professional advice on different types of home flooring. Now, let's answer the most crucial question: How do you stagger laminate flooring? Once you have determined the number of panels required, we recommend purchasing 1 package of leveling shims (24 shims/package) for every 60 panels. Don't install fasteners in the middle of the plank, where they are easier to see. The primary criterion for building a solid stagger is that all boards overlap by at least 6 inches. Vinyl flooring planks are all the same length, as opposed to the random-length hardwood planks found in other flooring types. You're still using 1 plank per row. 8. Failure to properly acclimatize the planks to the surrounding environment may result in warping or buckling of the planks after they have been installed. Stagger end joints in each row by at least 6" and try to avoid "stair stepping" of joints. The number of planks required to cover the entire floor can be calculated by multiplying the width of the room by the width of the planks. Her articles and interviews have appeared in "The Wall Street Journal," Salon.com and several other publications, covering topics such as Federal Trade Commission policy and media regulations, blogging, home improvement and New York travel. Take a measurement across the room where you will be installing the plank flooring to determine the length of the flooring. Level the subfloor to remove any bumps that can push against the joints and separate the laminate planks. The key to properly staggering vinyl flooring is to ensure that the first plank in every third row is at least two-three inches longer or shorter than the first planks in the two rows. The rule of thumb that professional flooring installers follow is to stagger the end joint of adjacent rows by a distance equal to 2 or 3 times the width of the plank. Staggering your floor simply involves putting your planks in irregular lengths for each row and cutting some of the planks you will install on the other rows. Ensure that the plank at the end of row one is no less than 6 inches in length. Above all, a kitchen will have cabinets and appliance . If the flooring comes up easily, you'll need to reduce the . To start the sixth row, cut up a new plank at a random length. [Answered!! Before laying your first row - be sure to measure the width of the room in planks. Pick up the plank and slowly break the plank apart at the score line. Racking the planks also improves the floors aesthetic appeal. As you work, check to make sure that the planks are straight and that the staggering looks even. If you need further assistance installing your vinyl plank flooring, contact Flooring Masters & Professional Remodelers. When it comes to the pros of staggering vinyl plank flooring, the main benefit has to do with the increased stability under your feet. 11. Ideally, the final board should not have even the slightest stripe running through it, but instead should be a solid strip of wood. Staggering vinyl flooring also helps to maintain the structural integrity of the floor, minimizing the likelihood of problems such as plank bowing, separating, or warping. It is much easier to install than hardwood flooring and requires no special tools. Yes, you have to stagger vinyl plank flooring. This is where staggering comes into action. What does Staggered Vinyl Flooring Installation Means? What do you suggest? Vinyl flooring planks are all the same length, unlike random-length hardwood planks. Without these crucial steps, a bit of the shine will be taken off your vinyl plank flooring patterns. Finally, you should use a roller to press the planks down so that they bond to the adhesive. If the last piece in the row is less than 6 inches, cut a small piece of wood from the first plank to allow the last piece in the row to be longer than 6 inches. Using a block or other flat object, press the vinyl tape against the subfloor to ensure a secure bond. A homeowner can easily install a resilient plank floor on the weekend. Use these planks for the other side of the room when you need shorter pieces as you near the wall. But you can use it to start the next row and that's the key to staggering with a minimum of waste. This is due to the planks not moving around, which can create unwanted gaps. Without this gap, your floor will buckle. Continue with Recommended Cookies. For row two, score and snap the first plank in half. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Vinyl planks are a type of laminate flooring that has recently gained popularity. Use a tape measure to determine the width and length of the room where you want to install the vinyl planks. Snip off the top 1-inch over-edge adhesive strip from the first plank. Remember to leave a 14-inch gap between the vinyl planks and the walls when you are putting them up. (Tips And Tricks), Can You Tile Over Linoleum? Here are the supplies needed for accurate measurement: Paper; Pencil; Calculator; . Staggering the planks will help stabilize the flooring and ensure the wood does not crack due to natural expansion from moisture. Ordering Flooring With a Standard Pattern Repeat. Leaving a distance between the floating vinyl floors and the wall itself will allow you to save money on installation costs. Open the windows to allow fresh air to circulate and reduce the stink. The length of each run of plank is 12-3. Save the shorter cuts of planking between the sheets of packing paper in the vinyl planking boxes. Car Window Tint . Use your utility knife to score a line that runs the whole width of the plank. But a more severe uneven subfloor could make your floating vinyl planks buckle and be noisy. The rule of thumb that professional flooring installers follow is to stagger the end joint of adjacent rows by a distance equal to 2 or 3 times the width of the plank. Don't pull fast; you might tear the backing, and a fresh edge is difficult to raise from the center . Another faux pas to look out for is the step pattern. This will help ensure that the planks are straight and that the staggering is even. Rob joined the Home Flooring Pros team in 2014 and is a freelance writer, specializing in flooring, remodeling and HVAC systems (read more). Arrange the tiles loosely along the layout lines with the arrows (grain) facing in the same or opposite directions (depending on the look you want). Required fields are marked *. This layout allows you to stagger the first and second rows and the other rows that will follow. Remove any obstructions. Mark with a pencil, then remove the plank. Is it best to stagger laminate flooring? Apply vinyl adhesive to the subfloor and lay the plank into the adhesive. Staggering is a technique used to learn how to install vinyl plank flooring properly. Glue the first full plank from the right side to towards the door. Read our Terms of Use and Disclosures page for more information. I prefer having eight or nine repeating patters for bigger rooms but most product manufacturers dont accommodate that kind of discernment. For those who are on the fence, you will want to know more about the advantages of staggering vinyl plank flooring at home. The boards in staggered flooring appear to flow from one row to the next. In this guide, we will show you how to stagger vinyl plank flooring.