How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring

Step-by-Step Instructions to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring Yourself

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 3 hrs
  • Total Time: 2 - 4 hrs
  • Yield: 120 square feet
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Estimated Cost: $250 to $400

Of all the do-it-yourself floor coverings, learning how to install vinyl plank flooring (also known as luxury vinyl) is one of the simplest. Vinyl plank flooring resembles hardwood flooring, but it's a budget-friendly and durable alternative. It is easy to cut, requires no bonding to the subfloor, and snaps together edge-to-edge and end-to-end. Vinyl plank flooring is also ideal for high-moisture areas such as bathrooms and basements since the material is completely impervious to water, but can also be a good choice for bedrooms and kitchens.

It's easy to cover a moderate-sized room with vinyl plank flooring in just a few hours. Learn how to install vinyl plank flooring in this easy guide.

Vinyl plank flooring being installed with tools laid on ground

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Installation Considerations

Note that there are different types of vinyl flooring to consider. Interlocking vinyl flooring is available as planks or tiles that snap together for a simple installation. While interlocking is the easiest for a DIY installation, you can also get vinyl flooring that is glue-down, glue-together. Prior to installation of either, you will need to prepare your subfloor by removing any old carpet or flooring, leveling, temporarily removing baseboards, and ensuring there are no cracks.



What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Sander (if needed)
  • Flat pry bar
  • Pliers
  • Tape measure
  • Utility knife
  • Fine-tooth saw
  • Straightedge
  • Carpenter's square
  • Drawbar tool
  • Hammer
  • Nailset
  • Pneumatic brad nailer (optional)
  • Rubber mallet

Materials

  • Vinyl plank flooring
  • Sandpaper (if needed)
  • 1/4-inch spacers
  • Floor-leveling compound (if needed)
  • Concrete patcher (if needed)

Instructions

Vinyl plank flooring installation tools

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring

  1. Plan the Flooring Layout

    • Start with the most visible wall—usually, the one that greets the eye as you enter the room—then work outward toward the entryway. In a small bathroom, the most visible edge might be the one that runs alongside the bathtub.
    • You will lay the first row of planks parallel to this most prominent wall or room feature, then work your way across the room.
    • Your last row might be slightly uneven because few rooms are truly square. But baseboards or shoe moldings will obscure an uneven edge.

    Tip

    Plan to stagger the rows. End joints should not lined up from row to row. Offset the edge joints by at least six inches from row to row.

    Vinyl planks stacked for floor layout planning

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  2. Remove the Trim Moldings

    • Remove the trim that makes contact with the floor. This includes baseboards, base shoe moldings, and case moldings around doors.
    • Tap the end of the pry bar behind the molding. Place a thin board behind the bar to protect the wall.
    • Leave door case molding in place as it is difficult to cleanly remove. Plan to undercut door case molding with an undercut saw or an electric multi-tool.

    Tip

    Plan to reuse the molding? Remove the thin brad nails by pulling them out from the back side with pliers.

    White floor trim removed by flat pry bar

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. Prepare the Floor

    Lay vinyl plank flooring right over existing flooring. If there are any high spots, they should be sanded down to create a flush surface for the new floor. Your goal is to create the flattest, smoothest surface possible for the vinyl plank flooring.

    • If you are laying vinyl plank flooring over a concrete subfloor, fill any cracks or divots with a concrete patcher.
    • If you are laying the flooring over a plywood subfloor, fill any depressions with a floor-leveling compound.
    Subfloor cracks filled with concrete patcher

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  4. Test-Fit the First Row of Planks

    Test fit the first row of vinyl planks down the length of the wall. Visually, the flooring layout will be most pleasing if cut planks are of roughly equal lengths at the opposite side walls.

    • Start with a full plank at the center of the wall and work to either side, so cut planks at the ends will be of equal length.
    • Leave a 1/4-inch gap at the wall and at the ends.
    • Place spacers against the walls to establish this expansion gap.
    First row of vinyl planks being installed

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  5. Cut Planks to Size

    • Cut partially through the plank with a carpenter's square and utility knife. Run the knife lightly across the face of the plank several times rather than trying to cut it in one pass.
    • Then, flip the board over so that the finished surface is facing down. Fold the plank back. It may snap off by itself.
    • If not, finish the cut by lightly running the utility knife through the fold.

    Tip

    As an alternative, you can use a fine-tooth handsaw to cut straight through the entire plank. 

    Vinyl planks being measured to cut

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  6. Connect Interlocking Flooring Planks

    Attach luxury vinyl planks edge-to-edge and end-to-end with a fold-and-lock type of tongue-and-groove system.

    • One plank lies flat on the subfloor, while the other plank is held at an angle and placed into the first board's receiving groove. Folding the second board until it lies flat and parallel to the first board helps to draw the boards together and lock them in place.
    • Once the first row is laid, continue across the floor with subsequent rows, first joining the planks end-to-end, then positioning the new row along the edge of the previous row and folding its tongue into the groove of the previous row.
    • Make sure that end joints are staggered so they are at least six inches away from the end joints in the previous row.
    Vinyl planks being attached from end to end

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

    Tip

    At the final planks in a row, the end butt joints can be tricky to fit. A drawbar tool can be used to gently pull the end plank to snug up these joints. Hook one end of the tool over the far end of the plank, then tap lightly on the other end of the drawbar to tug the butt joint together.

    Connect Glue-Down Flooring Planks

    Glue down vinyl flooring, if that's your preference.

    • Prepare your adhesive according to the instructions. Lay your planks within two hours of preparation.
    • Start in the middle of the floor and press (or use a roller) each plank gently into the adhesive.
    • Start in the middle and carefully work your way out around the room.
    • Make sure no adhesive seeps out, and if it does, wipe carefully with a damp rag.
  7. Cut for Protrusions

    Cut vinyl planks with a utility knife where you encounter obstacles such as door frames or floor ducts, or easily snip them to the desired shape with tin snips or heavy-duty shop scissors.

    Vinyl plank measured and cut by utility knife

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  8. Fit Planks Around Protrusions

    Make cuts to fit planks around obstacles. Vinyl plank flooring is flexible enough that it can usually be bent enough to fit around door frames and other protrusions. Depending on the nature of the obstruction, it may be necessary to disassemble previous planks in order to navigate the cutout plank into position.

    • After making the cutouts, first attach the plank to the adjoining plank while holding the cut-out plank upward, at an angle.
    • Then slowly fold down the cut-out plank until it locks into place with the adjoining plank.
    Vinyl plank cut to fit around potrusion

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  9. Cut and Fit the Final Planks

    • Trim the last row of planks lengthwise to make it fit. Be sure to incorporate the 1/4-inch gap.
    • Cut the planks lengthwise with a utility knife and metal straightedge.
    • Join these narrow planks end-to-end, then fold the tongues into the grooves of the previous row. If necessary, a flooring pull bar can be used to tug this final narrow plank into place against the previous row.
    Vinyl plank being joined to last row

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  10. Reinstall the Trim Moldings

    Reattach the baseboards and trim, after the floor is laid, preferably using a pneumatic brad nailer. Manually nailing with a hammer, while possible, can easily damage the trim, while a brad nailer does this work effortlessly.

    If you do manually nail, use a nail set to recess the nail heads below the surface of the trim. If the level of the floor has been raised enough, it may be necessary to trim the ends of door case moldings to fit the reduced space.

    White trim reinstalled by hammer and nail

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

    Tip

    You may want to use this opportunity to replace shoe moldings or other trim, especially if the old trim was cracked or damaged when it was removed. New moldings installed alongside new flooring make for a very polished, elegant look.

How to Maintain Vinyl Floors

Once your floors are installed, you'll want to take care to maintain them so they last for years to come. Don't use large amounts of water to clean your vinyl floor. Gently mop with a lightly damp rag or mop each week to keep dirt off the surface. Don't use anything rough or abrasive on your floor as you can risk scratching it. For a deeper clean, opt for regular soap or vinegar.

FAQ
  • Can a beginner install vinyl plank flooring?

    Yes, a beginner can install vinyl plank flooring, however interlocking vinyl planks are recommend over glue-down for beginners as they are much simpler.

  • Do you need to put anything under vinyl plank flooring?

    Some vinyl plank flooring come with a pad pre-attached underneath. if yours do, you don't need another layer. If they do not, check your instructions to see if the manufacturer recommends a pad or underlayer.

  • Does the floor have to be perfectly level for vinyl plank flooring?

    Yes, the floor should be perfectly level for successful vinyl plank flooring installation.