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Whether you’re looking to spruce up your home or give a fresh look to your office space, LVT flooring is an optimal choice that combines style and durability. But is LVT installation easy? Can you DIY your way through the project, or do you need professional help?
In this guide, we’ll answer your questions and tell you everything you need to know about how to install LVT flooring, including measuring up, fitting, costs, and maintenance.
Even better, if you want a free design consultation, reserve it on our website, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
Before embarking on your installation project, you need to measure your room to know how much flooring you need. To do so, follow these steps.
First, measure the entire length and width of the room. Then, round up each number to the highest metre. For instance, if your room’s length is 6.5 metres, round it up to 7 metres.
If your room has any permanent irregularities that might affect the number of tiles you need, like a door or a balcony, you need to measure them. Then, subtract their sizes from the length and width of the room.
Now, multiply the two final numbers you have to calculate the accurate square metre number. To make up for any tile accidents or losses, add 10% to the final result.
Every LVT package has a number in square metres written on it, which is the area that the number of tiles inside covers. After you know the accurate square area of your room, divide it by the number on the package. Then, you’ll know how many packages you should buy.
It’s worth noting that the above steps work only for regular rectangular rooms. If your room is irregular, it’s better to divide it into small rectangles. Then, measure the square metre area of each one using the above method and add all of their numbers at the end.
LVT floors come in many types that require different installation methods. Here’s a brief roundup of them and how they’re installed.
Glued LVT flooring requires strong adhesive to stick to the subfloor, but it doesn’t come with it, unlike self-adhesive LVTs. Instead, you’ll need to purchase the glue on your own. To install this type of LVT, apply the glue to the floor, then start installing the tiles one by one. Press each one down till it’s intact.
While installing these tiles seems easy, it’s less DIY-friendly than self-adhesive tiles, mainly because floor glue dries quickly and doesn’t melt easily at all. Accordingly, you need to be fast and accurate, which is challenging if it’s your first DIY project.
Click-down LVT flooring doesn’t need adhesive for installation. Instead, the tiles come in interlocking designs that click together seamlessly. They’re easier to install than glued tiles, so you’re less likely to need professional help if you purchase them.
Luxury vinyl floors are available in both tiles and planks. Tiles come in equally sized squares and give you more freedom regarding the design of the floor. They can be installed by interlocking or using adhesive, depending on their type.
Luxury vinyl planks come in long rectangular shapes that are more resistant to water and wear than tiles. The reason for this is they have fewer seams, which are entry points for moisture. Like their counterparts, LVPs can be installed with or without adhesive.
No, LVT flooring generally doesn’t need underlay, but the final decision depends on many factors. For instance, if your subfloor is uneven, you’ll need an underlay for a smooth finish. Also, some people choose to add an underlay for more warmth and sound insulation.
If you still haven’t decided where to install your new vinyl tiles, here’s a list of all the suitable places.
Bathrooms are naturally humid environments, so they need water-resistant floors that won’t grow mould and get damaged easily. Luckily, LVTs fit this description perfectly. On top of that, they come in endless designs that satisfy every taste.
Like bathrooms, kitchens are often humid, and they’re subject to spills more than any other room in the house. That’s why LVT flooring is a reasonable choice. It’s easy to clean using water and can withstand humidity better than many natural materials.
Bedrooms are ideal for installing LVT flooring for many reasons. For one, LVT is available in plenty of visuals, so you’ll be able to match the floor to your choice of interior style. Plus, the backing layers of LVT reduce the sound produced by feet hitting the floor, providing the level of calmness needed for a bedroom. You won’t have to worry about creaking floors!
The living room receives the highest traffic out of all rooms in the house, so it needs durable flooring that’s also quiet, warm, and easy to clean. LVT checks all the boxes, and it comes in stylish designs and colours.
All day long, hallways are covered by feet bustling around, so their flooring material should be tough enough to handle that. While LVT flooring is durable enough for hallways, it may scruff if you drag heavy objects over it, like furniture and appliances. So, if you’re choosing it for a hallway, make sure you cover it with a rug and keep it well-maintained.
LVT flooring is ideal for stairs because it’s not slippery. Plus, the fact that it’s highly durable means you won’t have to change it any time soon. However, LVT is subject to discolouration over time, so if the stairs are exposed to sunlight, you may want to explore other options.
LVT is a popular choice for commercial offices and industrial areas because it’s affordable. A business owner typically prioritises durability and affordability when renovating, and LVT provides both. It’s also water-resistant, which means it’s ideal for places with high chances of spills!
LVT floors are affordable for most budgets, as their price ranges from £15 to £60 per square metre. That said, many factors affect the final price, like the flooring brand you choose, where you live, and the patterns you get. Intricate patterns cost more than plain colours, and renowned brands come with higher price tags because they sell their names.
Meanwhile, your location can make a significant difference in the installation price. Flooring wages are higher in populous cities like London than in uncrowded ones.
Yes, it’s easy to install LVT flooring, but it ultimately depends on your skill level and the installation method you choose.
Yes, in most cases, you’ll need a professional to install LVT flooring. Floor installation seems easy in theory, but once you’re in the middle of it, you’ll realise you need to pay close attention to the measurements, cut the tiles intricately to fit around corners and openings, and more.
Not to mention, if your subfloor needs any preparation steps, you’ll need to work with equipment you might not have. In the end, it’s always better to leave it to the pros to avoid installation mistakes, which aren’t easy to fix.
Yes, you can, but as we mentioned above, it’s better to hire professionals to do it. Common DIY mistakes include unevenly laid floors, too much or too little adhesive, and wrong measurements, all of which are challenging and costly to fix. If you can set aside a budget for professional help, you guarantee seamless results.
Yes, LVT floors need to be maintained to stay as neat-looking as they are. However, the good news is that maintaining them is pretty easy. Here’s a brief guide on how to maintain them properly.
When dust accumulates on floors, it can dig into the material and cause tiny abrasions or scratches, which can make the floor look battered over time. To prevent this issue, you should vacuum your floors once or twice a week.
LVT floors are prone to discolouration, and some spills like lemon and vinegar can cause it to happen faster than usual. Luckily, this issue has an easy fix, which is to clean any spill right away with water and a clean mop. Don’t leave any stain for a few hours because it might cause irreversible damage.
If you plan on dragging heavy furniture across your luxury vinyl tiles, you should use protective pads to prevent leaving scratches behind. Also, these pads can protect your floors from denting in a few years, so they’re a win-win situation.
LVTs can get damaged if cleaned using bleach, acetone, abrasive powder, varnish, and more. To extend your floors’ lifespans and ensure they always look as good as new, ask the flooring manufacturer about the proper detergent to use and stay away from any harmful substances.
You can clean LVT flooring by following these steps:
That said, different types of LVT might require other cleaning methods. For the best results, consult your flooring manufacturer about the right way to clean it.
If you’re still unsure about installing LVT floors, here are a few good alternatives.
If you want to renovate your floors and install LVTs, you should first settle on the type you want. The ones available are glued, click-down, tiles, and planks. Then, you should decide on where to put them and whether you’ll hire professionals for the job. Our recommendation is to leave it to the pros to guarantee excellent results without any mistakes.
Finally, if you have other questions or need help choosing new floors, contact us today!