Vinyl flooring comes in a variety of styles and forms, and is also installed in a variety of ways. Vinyl needs to acclimate before installation. Various brands carry different time frames – but generally at least 48 hours prior to installation. Also, depending on the installation method and if an adhesive is used, there are guidelines as to the temperature your home should be kept at during the installation and afterwards. Check with the manufacturer’s guidelines, or check with our sales or installation team prior to install. Okanagan Hardwood Flooring’s installers are experienced in all aspects of vinyl flooring – from full sheets to Luxury Vinyl Tiles.
Here is a general guideline on installation methods:
- PREPARATION – proper preparation of the subfloor is an important part of a successful installation. If installation on an existing surface is feasible, it must be dry, clean and smooth – free from all finishes and debris from any previous floor. Bumps, ridges or dents in the subfloor may, in time, show through on the vinyl surface. A new subfloor may need to be installed before proceeding with the vinyl application.
- GLUE DOWN – vinyl sheet and vinyl tiles or planks are glued down to the subfloor with special adhesives. Grouting of the tiles may also be done, to mimic the look of a stone or ceramic floor.
- Floating or LOCKING – with these types of systems, no adhesive or glue is required. The individual tiles or panels click or lock together in a quick and easy process.
- SELF-STICK – a popular choice for do-it-yourself projects, allowing for little prep and ease of installation. Some manufacturers suggest using glueless adhesive tabs or spray adhesive for ease of tile removal if you choose to install another flooring product later on.
After installation, follow all manufacturer guidelines with respect to furniture and foot traffic. Make sure that any area rugs do not have a plastic or rubber backing, as this could discolour your vinyl floor. Floor protectors should be used on all furniture, and never clean with highly-abrasive scrubbing pads.
