VINYL PLANK INSTALLATION

Luxury vinyl floors are as popular as they are for a reason. Durable, waterproof, aesthetically appealing, and affordable, vinyl flooring really does have it all. No longer do you have to sacrifice dreamy, long-lasting floors in favour of a lower price! 

What is Vinyl Flooring?

Luxury vinyl flooring is made of levels of synthetic material, in the shape of a plank or tile, which closely imitates either hardwood or tile. Keep reading to find out if this is the flooring for you!

Pros:

  • Waterproof
  • Dentproof
  • Long-lasting 
  • Affordable 
  • Stain-resistant 
  • Can withstand heavy foot traffic
  • Simple maintenance
  • Generally easy to install yourself
  • Suitable to any room (kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, etc. included)

Cons:

  • Non-recyclable
  • Not very environmentally friendly
  • No impact on home resale value
  • Known to emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds)

Choose Your Installation Method

At the start of any renovation, there must be planning. So let us start here: which installation method do you want to use? The three types Advanced Flooring uses are glue-down, click, and loose lay. Each of these has its own pros and cons; there is no standard method. The flooring you choose, your lifestyle, budget, and installation experience are all points that will influence your final decision.

Type One: Glue-Down

 

In this method, adhesive is applied to the back of the plank and the plank is then directly attached to the subfloor.

Pros:

  • Your vinyl can be thinner (and therefore more affordable) and still withstand regular foot traffic
  • Chances of shifting are low
  • Unlikely to bend or warp due to being adhered to the subfloor
  • More resistant to humidity and temperature changes
  • Can be quieter since there is no space between the planks and the floors
  • More forgiving of subfloor issues

Cons:

  • Harder to install
  • More expensive to install
  • Difficult to remove and replace damaged planks
  • Harder to find glue-down vinyl

 

Type Two: Click

Click vinyl sports interlocking grooves on the edges of the boards which ‘click’ together, perfect for DIY installations.

Pros:

  • Uncomplicated installation 
  • No special tools needed
  • Cheaper installation
  • Most common vinyl type and easy to find
  • You don’t have to wait for the glue to dry
  • Comfortable to walk on

Cons:

  • Not as stable as glue-down
  • The planks must be thicker (and therefore more expensive)
  • Hard to replace damaged planks (you must start at a wall and begin removing planks there until you get to the damaged board)

 

Type Three: Loose Lay

Using this method, the thick planks are simply laid down side by side. Adhesive is only applied to the boards on the perimeter of the room, which hold down the other planks.

Pros:

  • Quick and straightforward installation
  • Adhesive is required only for planks on the perimeter of the room
  • Simple maintenance and cleaning (sweeping and mopping)
  • Provides sound absorption (which is especially good for apartments and corporate buildings)
  • Easy to replace damaged planks
  • Resistant to changes in humidity (no warping)
  • Sturdy 
  • Easily uninstalled
  • Affordable installation method 

Cons:

  • The vinyl you choose must be relatively thick (and therefore more expensive)
  • Adhesive is still required
  • Almost as uncommon as glue-down

Preparing the Room

  1. Remove all furniture, wires, pets, and kids from the site of installation.
  2. Remove the baseboards in the room. Do this carefully so as not to damage the baseboards themselves or the wall. Here’s a tip: mark the removed baseboards and the walls they come from with corresponding number so you know exactly where to put them back!
  3. Prepare the subfloor. Small gaps are no big deal but larger ones must be filled in then leveled. 
  4. And you’re ready to install some floors! This stage will go differently for everyone depending on the method chosen.

Advanced Flooring is a leading supplier and installer of vinyl flooring in the KW area. Vinyl is our most stocked and most popular product! We carry vinyl flooring that is sure to dazzle and impress. Trust us to renovate your home with care, consideration, and expertise. We send only our best installers that are practiced in their trade. Visit us in store in Waterloo or give us a call today to set up your free home estimate!

As the Top Vinyl Plank Flooring Service in Waterloo, we deliver effective installation of our vinyl floor products with the ease and convenience you deserve. Vinyl is easy to keep clean and can withstand heavy traffic without losing its beauty or appeal. Thanks to modern technology creating durable, longer-lasting floors, more homeowners are choosing vinyl for their homes.

Our luxury vinyl installation process is quick and efficient. With the right service and attention to detail, your vinyl can last for decades. We take extra special care to install it neatly, ensuring you'll have the best-looking vinyl floors in Waterloo.

With our professional installation, your floors can last an incredible 10 to 20 years. At Advanced Flooring, we only select luxury vinyl flooring that will last. We never compromise on quality and assure our customers of only the finest and most durable flooring solutions.