Vinyl Flooring: 12 Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Vinyl Flooring: 12 Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Its durability, versatility and composition are what make vinyl such a sought-after flooring material for home and business owners alike. Additionally, it’s a cost-effective option that can be installed in practically any part of your property, either professionally or DIY. Either way, to make the process easier, avoid these common mistakes.

Mistakes to Avoid When Buying and Installing Vinyl Flooring

Keep reading to learn about and avoid these mistakes when it comes to purchasing and installing vinyl flooring.

1. Don’t Set an Unrealistic Deadline

How much time and effort will be required to install your flooring depends greatly on the project’s scope. When setting a timeline, many factors need to be considered. That includes the number of rooms to be worked on, removing and storing furniture, and if anyone has to move out of the property. Additionally, check the availability of flooring materials and any unique design requirements.

2. Cut the Sheet Properly

If you’ve chosen sheet vinyl, it comes in rolls and needs to be measured and cut precisely. This ensures that it fits the floor perfectly without folding, bulking or leaving any gaps in the corners. For this, you need to measure the room exactly before ordering the sheet, or hire a flooring provider. Failing to cut it straight or cutting it too short can ruin the flooring’s look and feel and may require a complete replacement.

3. Align the Tiles Correctly

If you’ve chosen luxury vinyl tiles instead of sheets, they must be properly aligned when being installed. Not doing so means your flooring won’t look great.

4. Consider Wear and Tear

Many property owners make the mistake of picking a flooring material without thinking about how it will be used. For instance, if you have children and/or pets, your flooring will face more abuse than a family that doesn’t. Similarly, different rooms get different amounts of foot traffic. Bathrooms generally have high levels of moisture and humidity, whereas kitchen flooring needs to stand up well to spills. Failing to consider these factors can lead to unpleasant consequences.

5. Don’t Use Too Much Adhesive

When using any kind of adhesive with luxury vinyl flooring, you need the right amount, as too much will result in it seeping through the gaps. This needs to be looked into before the flooring is installed as adhesive is typically harder to remove once applied. On the other hand, an uneven application can lead to ridges.

Your best bet is to carefully read the manufacturer’s recommendation before starting the installation and test it one tile at a time to ensure you’re using the right amount.

6. Consider Your Flooring’s Overall Cohesion

Flooring can either tie a room’s decor together or detract from it. For instance, hardwood hallway floors, luxury vinyl in the kitchen and carpeting in the dining room might make your overall decor look disjointed. Unless the rooms are separated by walls and doors, radically different flooring can make a home appear disconnected and sloppy.

This doesn’t mean you need to have the same flooring throughout your home, but if you have an adjoining kitchen and dining area, consider using the same material.

7. Don’t Apply the Material to an Unprepared Surface

Homeowners undertaking a renovation or design project often fail to prepare the underlying surface properly. Whether you’re dealing with a concrete basement floor or a wooden subfloor, you need to ensure it’s properly prepared for the vinyl to be installed flawlessly.

First, clean the area properly. Make sure that there is no debris on the surface and that it’s completely dry before you start the installation. If the floor is often damp, choose a material that performs well in such conditions.

Remember, it’s better to wait until the issues are fixed than to install the new flooring material over an inadequate base as you may have to repair or replace it. Also, if you notice any damage to the subfloor, get in touch with a flooring professional who can repair or replace it

8. Purchase Enough Flooring Material

No one wants to start installing vinyl flooring and run out. Your flooring provider may not be able to restock you, especially if it’s a particularly popular design. So, before you start, estimate how much you will need to do the job properly, on time, and on budget.

First, measure the floor’s length and width. If your room isn’t a neat rectangle or square, you need to factor in jut-outs dividing the room, alcoves, and adjoining closets. Make sure you measure these individually and then multiply length by width to get the exact square footage of the divided sections. Then, add the different sections to get the total square footage.

When buying your flooring, show this information to your provider. They will be able to determine how much material you will need.

9. Match the Tile Pattern

When dealing with a large room, it may be difficult to install luxury vinyl plank flooring properly to ensure the pattern remains consistent. Remember, mismatched tiles can have a big impact on how the space looks and feels.

Similarly, if you’re going for alternating patterns, even one wrongly-installed plank can wreck the whole room. So, pay close attention to make sure the pattern is properly followed.

10. Measure Expansion Gaps

Luxury vinyl planks and tiles will expand and contract with changes in the temperature over the years. So, it’s vital that you take expansion gaps into consideration and plan for it around the entire perimeter in all the places where the floor meets any vertical space. By doing so, you relieve the pressure from heat expansion, which can have a negative impact on how the vinyl flooring looks and performs. It will also prevent noticeable buckling as well as a peaked appearance.

So, if your floor is less than 50 feet wide or long, it’s recommended that you leave at least a ¼-inch expansion gap along the whole perimeter. If the area is between 50 and 85 feet, the gap should be increased to a ½-inch.

11. Making Transitional Mistakes

The transitions and trim complement the flooring, while also offering a durable and safe way to create contraction and expansion space between adjoining areas. Hence, transitions should ideally be the last materials installed to complete the vinyl flooring installation.

When it is installed properly, your vinyl flooring in Toronto will last many years. On the other hand, an incorrectly-installed floor will lead to squeaking, peaking, gapping and buckling. It will also require you to change the flooring sooner than anticipated. When left unchecked, the flooring will become loose, which can lead to trips or slips.

So, make sure the transition is securely fastened to the subfloor and flooring. Don’t install the flooring too tightly to the transition moulding. When installing a floating floor, make sure the transition is nailed or glued down while still providing the space required for it to expand and contract with indoor climate changes.

12. Failing to Acclimate Luxury Vinyl

When preparing to install luxury vinyl tile flooring, it’s important to acclimate the material to the space. This means the planks should be placed in the room where they will be installed and kept there for at least 24 hours. The boxes should be stored flat (not stacked) on the prepared subfloor. This will let the planks get used to their surroundings and ensure they perform well in the space. Once the installation begins, make sure that the planks are not exposed to direct sunlight.

Why and When to Contact Flooring Professionals

By avoiding these mistakes, you ensure you have beautiful and long-lasting vinyl  floors. However, it might not be easy to make it as flawless as professionals can. Hiring professionals will ensure that your project is in good hands and will save you time.