Vinyl Flooring Options and Installation Tips

Installing vinyl flooring is a decision many homeowners are faced with when undertaking a home renovation project or new home construction. There are many factors to consider when making plans.

This article will explore the pros and cons of both vinyl flooring and linoleum selection and installation as a diy home project. .

Vinyl and Linoleum; Basic Facts

Vinyl floor covering is available as sheet vinyl flooring as well as vinyl floor tile; also available in self stick vinyl tile. This option makes the task very easy for homeowners to complete as a DIY flooring project. More about that later.

Homeowners oftentimes confuse vinyl with linoleum, but they are very different. Linoleum is made using natural materials; including linseed oil and rosin, with wood or cork powder and pigments for filler. It is biodegradable, and naturally anti-bacterial. The down side is that linoleum costs more than vinyl, and emits linseed oil fumes that some persons are sensitive to.

Vinyl is much lower in cost, but is synthetic and emits volatile organic compound (VOC) gases, compromising indoor air quality. In addition, certain adhesives can add to the VOC emissions in a room. However, using a low-emission vinyl adhesive will eliminate that problem.

One notable benefit vinyl has over linoleum is that it is more water resistant; an especially good choice in floor covering for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements. Linoleum, being the more resilient of the two, can last more than 40 years with proper care; vinyl’s life expectancy is about 15 years.

Both flooring types have undergone composition changes that greatly enhance appearance and durability. And today’s style selection is extensive, including realistic marble and other natural stone look-alikes as well as simulated wood floors. Making either choice an attractive, affordable flooring solution for homeowners.

Homeowner Tips for Do It Yourself Flooring

Whether installing vinyl or linoleum, there are certain success guidelines that DIY homeowners should follow:

1. Floor underlayment is of utmost importance. Both vinyl and linoleum will show every imperfection in the subfloor or underlayment. This makes it is necessary to take extra steps in achieving a surface that is completely level and smooth before installing the flooring.
2. When installing vinyl or linoleum over a plywood subfloor, floor leveling compound should be applied to the seams, screw holes, and to any other imperfections for the smoothest surface possible Trowel it on in a thin layer; sand once it is dry. Thoroughly clean all dust and debris before applying adhesive. This is even more critical for self stick vinyl tile flooring to ensure that tile makes a good bond to the subfloor.
3. Installing ¼-inch plywood underlayment is an excellent way to achieve a good, level surface for vinyl sheet, vinyl tile, or linoleum installation. Be sure to stagger runs of flooring underlayment so that seams are offset by at least 2-feet from one run to the next. Allow 1/32-inch gap in seams for expansion; 1/8-inch gap around the room perimeter Make sure screw or staple placement is every 5 to 6-inches in the middle of the sheet; every 3-inches around the perimeter..
4. The room perimeter in bathrooms and kitchens especially usually have many different angles and corners. Therefore, a template should be made using asphalt roofing felt paper. Once the template is completed, trace it onto the sheet vinyl, allowing an extra ¼ inch; trim for a snug fit when installing. Because of the complexity of this type project, homeowners may want to seek the services of a vinyl flooring contractor to do the job for them.
5. Sheet vinyl requiring seams may pose a problem for some homeowners. The seams must be cut exact and straight, and then welded together with a special kit when installing. The seam kit is similar to a vinyl repair kit; it contains a special sealer to complete the seam. Here again, homeowners may want to hire a flooring contractor to insure professional results.
6. Self stick vinyl tile is an excellent choice for homeowners undertaking a DIY home flooring project. Simply peel and stick tiles into place; trim the edges using a vinyl cutter for custom fit corners. Make sure the subfloor is completely clean and free from all soil, grease, or oil before installing tiles.

Locating an Flooring Contractor

For homeowners daunted by the task of installing tile or sheet vinyl or linoleum, locating professional help is fast, easy and FREE at HandyAmerican.com. Your one-stop online matchmaking service; connecting reliable area contractors to homeowners with projects throughout the USA.

Homeowners requiring the services of an interior flooring contractor can sign up without cost or obligation, and post their flooring project requirements online, where it is immediately visible to service professionals in their community. Member contractors also receive e-mail notification of new project postings within their scope of services, and vie for the job; providing competitive bids in days, even hours from project posting.

With easy-to-use tools at HandyAmerican.com, homeowners can view company profile pages, references, licensing and insurance credentials; customer comments, and photos of recent projects for each candidate. And then make an informed hiring decision, or no one at all. Remember, there is no obligation to hire anyone, and membership is free.

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