What does Staggered Vinyl Flooring Installation Means? Any severely uneven areas may need to be shimmed, or require further repair before installing your flooring. However, if your planks are wider, you can increase the spacing to a maximum of 10 inches, although 8 inches is ideal. 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. Cut planks with a straight edge and a utility knife to score the planks and then snap them together if you have to do so. 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. Copyright 1990 - 2023 | Flooring Masters & Professional Remodelers, Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 5. Planks need to be laid width side because of hallway and a kitchen. Once the carpet and fasteners have been removed, be sure that none of the nails or screws that were used to secure the flooring are protruding. Keep the offcuts and use them to begin the next row of stitches. The placement of vinyl plank flooring has to be excellent. If after a few rows you run out of cutoffs, eye the previous two rows and cut the next rows first plank so that the seams wont be too close together. Using a tape measure, measure the width and length of each wall in the room where you intend to lay the vinyl plank flooring. What do you suggest? When you get to the end of the second row, you can cut the plank to fit. The primary criterion for building a solid stagger is that all boards overlap by at least 6 inches. To avoid these, use your cutoff planks to begin every other row. How to Deep Clean Vinyl Floors? Take the first board out of the stack and place it on the table. x 60 in. If you dont have a roller, walking over all areas of the floor may suffice. 6. Before laying your first row - be sure to measure the width of the room in planks. Be sure to leave a space along the wall for expansion. With this in mind, you will want to ask, do you have to stagger vinyl plank flooring? Repeat steps #2-3 to complete row four. Install the plank so that the tongue-and-groove side is facing the wall. Both measurements need to take into account the 1/4-inch gap that you'll leave all around . Do you have to stagger vinyl plank flooring? Planks should span the length of a narrow space, such as a hallway, corridor, or kitchen, and be installed parallel to the rooms longest wall. Ensure that the plank at the end of row one is no less than 6 inches in length. Then, using a utility knife, trim the tongue from the meat. Snipping off these thin strips prevents the plank from sloping toward the wall and gives the floor a smooth, even surface. Remove the boards to use the pattern as you lay down the flooring. Use the cutoff plank from the end of row two to begin row four. 15. You may have to remove the present flooring if youre remodeling a room, so plan ahead of time. If you have to cut the planks, utilize a straight edge and a utility knife to score them before snapping them if you require to cut planks. Once the realm of professional installers, resilient flooring installation is greatly simplified with vinyl planking. (Step By Step Guide), Should Kitchen Countertops Match The Floor? Once you snap the planks together, they stay that way. To begin your laminate flooring stagger, use a laminate cutter or chop saw to cut 5 or 6 laminate boards to various lengths. ft. How do you start first row on a 11.4 ft wide x 16 ft. Planks are 7in x 5 ft room. Further below, well give you some expert tips to help you make the most of this project. An H-joint can also create a weak spot on the floor and increases the risk of the planks loosening and coming apart at some point in the future. Pick up the first board from the stack. The only silver lining in this situation is that, while the labor may be, Read More How to Remove Vinyl Flooring [9 STEPS]Continue, Vinyl plank flooring has grown increasingly popular as a flooring option in both homes and businesses due to the huge variety of styles available and the exceptional longevity of vinyl plank flooring. Thanks, BathRoom is 45 wide. Start by laying the first row of planks along the longest straight wall in the room. Do not compromise on this as that can lead to unwanted repairs in the future. If you need further assistance installing your vinyl plank flooring, contact Flooring Masters & Professional Remodelers. Finally, you should use a roller to press the planks down so that they bond to the adhesive. Our website is supported by advertising. The trick to stagger vinyl plank flooring successfully is to play around with the minimum spacing and laying down the planks randomly. Failure to properly acclimatize the planks to the surrounding environment may result in warping or buckling of the planks after they have been installed. This layout allows you to stagger the first and second rows and the other rows that will follow. It is long-lasting and durable, making the investment of labor and money worthwhile. Staggering your planks helps to create a better visual appearance and to prevent seams from lining up, which helps to prevent buckling or telegraphing (visible seams from the surface of the floor). (Step-by-Step Tutorial), How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring on Stairs? FAQ. Received 15 Likes on 13 Posts. They are also less expensive when compared to other types of flooring. Removing your old vinyl or linoleum flooring gives you a chance to either install new flooring . Then slowly fold down the cut-out plank until it locks into place with the adjoining plank. Once the planks are all installed, you can adhere the baseboards back into place. When reaching the far end of the room, the plank will need to be cut to fit. . If you have to remove the existing flooring, youll need some additional tools, such as pliers, a pry bar, a hammer, and possibly a screwdriver to complete the job. 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. Place the first plank with the tongue side. Before you install the new vinyl planks, put them in the targeted room 2-3 days in advance. Continue with this pattern until you fill-up the entire room with the vinyl plank flooring. The sweet melody of a Grateful Dead song drifted from the radio as you blissfully . We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Also, study the installation instructions included with the flooring. Rebecca Mecomber, a former radio broadcaster, has been a professional blogger and writer since 2006. Follow this step precisely it will ensure a smooth surface. Allow a minimum of 48 hours before installing the planks inside your room. The packaging paper protects the adhesive strips and prevents the strips from collecting dust and dirt as you work. Divide the rooms width by the width of the planks to determine the number of planks needed to cover the entire floor. Generally speaking, it is advised that the gap between the end-joints of neighboring rows be approximately 6 inches, however, this will vary depending on the size of the planks being used. Generally, it is recommended that the space between the end-joint of adjacent rows be about 6 inches, but this will depend on the size of the planks. When measuring and cutting, place the planks on top of the packaging paper. Place the first plank with the tongue side towards the wall, being sure to allow 1/8" for. That is all there is to it when it comes to staggering vinyl floor planking. Contact us now so that we can start brainstorming! Then, lay the first plank about inch from the wall. 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. If not, cut a plank with an 8-inch offset joint from the first and continue laying the planks. Be sure to stagger the seams so they don't line up. When laying the first row of planks, be sure to offset the ends of the planks by at least 6 inches. 2.2 2. Leave a gap for your transition strip to fit and fasten it. How would I cut my planks to stagger them in this situation? Even lay out all the pieces before snapping them in place. A much nicer, looking install without skinny pieces. You can use the offcut from the third row to start the fifth row. If the result is smaller than 6 inches, cut 12 inches or 1/3 of the entire plank and start the first row. This is especially important on the first 2-3 . If you want vinyl flooring to seem properly spaced, you must make sure that the first plank in every third row is at least two to three inches longer or shorter than the first planks in the previous two rows. 11. Place your tape measure on the right side of a new plank. Staggered joints remove vulnerable seam joints while giving the floor a fluid and consistent appearance. Step 2: Cut the final plank in the first row. This can result in unusual joint patterns that are both eye-catching and not in a positive way. All laminate planks have the same length, which may make an irregular pattern sound impossible to achieve. It is not necessary to use the offcut to begin staggering the third row because doing so will result in a pattern that is identical to the step pattern that you were attempting to avoid in the first place. In order to preserve vinyl planks from moisture when they are installed on concrete, it is a good idea to use a water and thermal-proof underlayment to protect the planks. That is a general concept. Detailed Guide of 2022, How to Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring A Detailed Guide 2022, Utility Knife with extra blades/Jigsaw/Table saw. Rob joined the Home Flooring Pros team in 2014 and is a freelance writer, specializing in flooring, remodeling and HVAC systems (read more). They can be anywhere from 5 to 12 inches wide, so following this rule is impractical when installing a floating floor. This gap allows for the expansion and contraction of the planks with temperature changes and prevents buckling. Additionally, you should plan on trimming the door jambs to make it easier to install the flooring in all areas of the room. Repeat this process until the entire room is covered. Repeat steps #2-3 to complete row four. You had your favorite old college sweatshirt on. In this guide, we will show you how to stagger vinyl plank flooring. Yes, you should stagger your vinyl plank flooring. Here are the supplies needed for accurate measurement: Paper; Pencil; Calculator; . Calculate the width of the final row. Continue this pattern until your staggered vinyl floor is finished. If required, cut the boards for the first row so that the last row has a minimum half-width plank. Begin by laying the first entire plank on the floor in the right-hand corner of the room, with the visible adhesive tongue pointing outward. Equipment; Preparation; Step 1: Start laying the first row. The information contained on whatisvinyl.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This results in a neat, staggering pattern that also offers added structural stability. However, if your planks are broader, you can extend the spacing to a maximum of 10 inches, although 8 inches is the best distance between each plank. This is an excellent way to uplift your floors without breaking the bank. Benefits Of Staggering Vinyl Plank Flooring. Ordering Flooring With a Standard Pattern Repeat. To install this floor, you do not need to be a professional, but you must understand the staggering technique, which generates an eye-catching pattern and a stable floor. Keep Distance Between Seams. If it is less than the width of a normal plank. This is where staggering comes into action. If you . 3. In this section we will answer a few of the common questions about staggering vinyl flooring. Figure Out The Spacing Rules For Vinyl Plank Flooring. Place your tape measure on the right side of a new plank. Use the cutoff plank from the end of row two to begin row four. . Repeat steps #2-3 to complete row three. Step 2: Take the first board and cut the top 1-inch strip from the board. Add one extra full-width plank to the first row. Mark with a pencil, then remove the plank. Install one plank at a time after the first one is down, continuing until you have covered the entire length of the wall with planks. There has to be a bit of leeway and that is why the staggered design works. Install the first row and cut the last board in the row to fit, remembering to maintain a 1/4-inch gap from the wall. Also known as lightning, a step pattern is draws the eye by being regular and symmetrical, and professionals avoid it. Its common for mistakes to be made when the flooring is laid and it can cause the planks to shift and/or not remain stable. It is also called bricking or walling, if that term is easier to understand. Peel and Stick Vinyl Tiles | 12 x 12 Universal Floor and Wall Tile Installation Laying the First Few Rows of Flooring | Tips and Tricks Replacing a Damaged Flooring Plank | Tips and Tricks You are going to enjoy how it opens up space and makes it seem more welcoming. The simplest way to achieve the best results is to stagger the joints in thirds. We offer top-notch flooring installation services that will enhance your homes aesthetic value and also its function. In practice, a minimum spacing of 6 inches is sufficient for laminate planks measuring 5 inches in width. It will remind you to do things like use 1/4-inch spacers between planks and walls. Step 3: Determine the number of planks you need. How to Remove Vinyl Flooring 2021 DIY Guide. Do You Have To Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring? Get the vinyl plank flooring layout right and your friends wont believe you did it yourself. This space allows the planks to expand and contract without buckling. To that end, we may be compensated with a small commission through affiliations with our endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website. You should avoid having a sliver of a strip on your final plank. One such common blunder to watch out for is the step pattern. About Us | Advertise | Contact Us | Website T&C's and Privacy Policy. Depending on how wide the planks are, you can increase the minimum to 8 or 10 inches.. A dull blade causes jagged edges on the vinyl planks. This will stagger the seams between the adjacent rows in a random way. Take the first board out of the stack and place it on the table. Once you have cut them out, install your flooring. For professional results, you'll want to plan properly. If they look too uniform, youve got an H-joint or Step/Lightning problem which can be solved by following the information below. 13. Open the windows to allow fresh air to circulate and reduce the stink. I prefer having eight or nine repeating patters for bigger rooms but most product manufacturers dont accommodate that kind of discernment. You will want to ensure it lasts for a long time. Measure one-third of this plank and mark a small vertical line with your pencil. While this is not the first thing you are going to think about during the installation phase, its still important to consider the aesthetics of this type of setup and how it plays out when everything is said and done. An H-joint occurs, for example, when an end joint in the first row planks coincides with an end joint in the third-row planks. Racking the planks also improves the floors aesthetic appeal. Step 1: Test the moisture content of your concrete subfloor. Wide x 60 in. Without mixing them, all of the same shades and patterns will be laid together and it will be noticeable. 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. Last update on 2023-02-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Then, measure the width of the room divided by the width of the planks. You're still using 1 plank per row. When you cut the end off a plank to fit it into the end of a row, you can't use the cutoff in the middle of the row.