For those looking for a simple installation system that no one has any problems with during installation, click vinyl flooring is the perfect candidate. But what do you have to consider for the preparation and execution? We give you all the tricks!
The installation of the classic click vinyl floor
Although all vinyl floors have a click mechanism, this can vary. The most common is characterised by the fact that it has a kind of lever under the front panel. You must be careful with the angle to avoid damaging the click connection. The board is gently pressed until it fits perfectly with the previous one. In addition, it is usually necessary to cut the last plank to size.
The first steps
Laying a vinyl floor begins before the boards come into contact with the subfloor. First, placing the planks in the desired room 24 hours before installation is important to allow them to acclimate. If you store them in the garage or a similar place and start putting them up immediately after receiving them, you may have problems later. Since PVC flooring expands a little when heat is supplied, it can burst if it is not sufficiently acclimatised to room temperature. So make sure you don’t skip this step. It is best to arrange the side of the plank by the side in small stacks so they have enough room to expand to their full size.
Materials for optimal installation
So that we do not have to realise at the last minute that we have forgotten something, we summarise the most important materials here. Laying vinyl flooring requires only a few tools:
- A knife is needed to cut the boards, allowing the panels to be adjusted to the desired length and placed in the corners of each room.
- You will also need a rubber hammer to join the boards so that larger joints are not formed. It must be a hammer made of flexible material; otherwise, you run the risk of damaging the vinyl floor.
- Likewise, a ruler will help correct the boards’ dimensions when cutting and aligning.
Equally important is the preparation of the substrate.
If vinyl flooring is laid on uneven ground, it is important to ensure it is suitable. Some vinyl floors can be laid without problems on uneven surfaces thanks to the reinforced backing plate, but others cannot. It is also important to pay attention when buying. Otherwise, it is recommended to fix the subfloor before laying the new pavement. In any case, the substrate must always be free of dirt and small particles or objects.
Everything in harmony – the right angle for the incidence of light
To achieve an optimal result, one must always consider the light’s incidence in the room, which brings a more harmonious general atmosphere.
Now yes, the installation can start!
Now you can start laying your click vinyl floor. However, before you push the boards to the edges of the wall, leave a little space in each direction. You can place spacer shims to achieve an exact distance on all sides. Likewise, the scraps created when cutting vinyl flooring are ideal for this purpose. So that a large offset does not arise in the first row, it is worth attaching to the first panel of a second row. To do this, push the longest side of the board at a 30-degree angle towards the front and slightly press it down. Then you can place another panel in the first row. The short side’s importance is that it blocks the plank from above. For this, the rubber hammer is used. A few taps are enough to anchor the vinyl flooring together. Repeat until you have laid vinyl flooring throughout the room. You’ll see how easy it is!
Drop-Down installation.
Vinyl flooring has an even simpler method than the one described above, as they have developed a drop-down system that makes laying vinyl flooring even easier. This is present. It is noteworthy that click vinyl flooring can be moved in both directions due to its high flexibility. However, the fact that the slats can be easily snapped into each other makes the installation direction indifferent. This mechanism is much faster since the angle of the planks relative to each other during installation no longer plays any role. Still, also errors can be more easily compensated for simply by lifting the boards again. Installation is limitless, and even the most difficult areas can be equipped effortlessly.
Materials for laying a floor with a drop-down mechanism
The list of materials hardly differs from that of the classic click mechanism. Again it is advisable to have a utility knife to cut and a rubber hammer to seal. A sticky ruler and an angle will help you to ensure the distances and guarantee a uniform result.
Substrate preparation will always be an advantage.
Levelling subfloor bumps is always a good idea. While not necessary with some vinyl flooring, it provides a better result. Finally, the room must be in harmony, which will be successful only if the substrate has been optimally prepared for installing a click vinyl floor. The same applies to the classic click mechanism: the panels must be acclimatised 24 hours in advance. This will prevent damage caused by vinyl flooring bursting due to overheating.
Let’s move on to the installation!
A particularly useful feature of the Drop-Down system is that the tables can also be placed vertically. This makes placement easier than ever! No matter where you started laying, the boards simply snap together vertically. For example, if a board is long, it can be trimmed to the correct length simply by scoring it with a utility knife. A smooth cut will suffice, and the board will break without frayed edges. This makes it easy to install even in difficult corners and recesses.
What does Pro-Tek™ recommend?
If you want a floor that is easy to install without sacrificing quality, Pro-Tek™ vinyl floors are the most suitable. The Drop-Down method is our clear favourite in terms of laying vinyl flooring. Even the least handy will be able to achieve the best results and create an optimal space. The installation will be even more accessible and will offer a lasting result.
