do you have to stagger vinyl plank flooring do you have to stagger vinyl plank flooring

Start the second row with the plank that was leftover from the first row. All laminate planks have the same length, which may make an irregular pattern sound impossible to achieve. This results in a neat, staggering pattern that also offers added structural stability. Below you'll find answers to questions I get asked the most about staggering wood flooring. Step 2: Take the first board and cut the top 1-inch strip from the board. Staggering planks of different shades are made more accessible by mixing up the boards for a more natural look. Finally, you should use a roller to press the planks down so that they bond to the adhesive. Do you cut the tongue off the first row of laminate? Rebecca Mecomber, a former radio broadcaster, has been a professional blogger and writer since 2006. Your email address will not be published. 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. Do not compromise on this as that can lead to unwanted repairs in the future. Rob joined the Home Flooring Pros team in 2014 and is a freelance writer, specializing in flooring, remodeling and HVAC systems (read more). But eyeball the first piece of each new row. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Installing laminate flooring for beginners, The importance of a flooring stagger pattern, The recommended distance between end joints, Two patterns to avoid: H-Joints and steps, A technique for creating a stagger pattern as you go, National Wood Flooring Association: Installation Guidelines, Wood Floor Business: How to Rack a Wood Floor for Installation, Rempros.com: Standard Laminate Flooring Dimensions. Using a block or other flat object, press the vinyl tape against the subfloor to ensure a secure bond. As a result, a tidy, staggered pattern is created, which also provides additional structural support. Just an observation. Wear a respirator to protect your lungs from dust and other particles. In addition, it isnt difficult to put in place provided that you organize your layout meticulously. Thats good. Why have you decided to look up how to stagger vinyl plank flooring? Then, cut a random length to start the sixth row, using the offcut from the fourth row to start the seventh row, and so on. John Raisor is a former carpenter and current creative and copywriter. [4 Methods], How to Remove Glue From Vinyl Flooring? Measure one-third of this plank and mark a small vertical line with your pencil. This results in the formation of an H pattern. Continue in this manner until the vinyl plank flooring has been installed throughout the entire room, if necessary. As you install the vinyl planks, be sure to leave a -inch space between the walls. Glue the first full plank from the right side to towards the door. The tapping block will help prevent damage to the planks, while the rubber mallet will provide enough force to securely attach the planks. Place the first plank with the tongue side. When the end joints are properly staggered, each end joint gets reinforcement from the planks on either side. Use the leftover piece to begin the next row, in doing that the seams will naturally be staggered. more authentic look to the installation. Staggered joints remove vulnerable seam joints while giving the floor a fluid and consistent appearance. By employing a few simple home products and some basic math for a do-it-yourself price, you may have a floor that appears to be placed by a professional. When racking or staggering boards, you want to make sure that the pieces are laid down as randomly as possible to avoid the formation of step patterns and H-joints in the final product. Its not just the LVT staggered pattern that counts. Create a pattern before installing the LifeProof vinyl flooring to give you an idea of how you want the floor to appear. Before getting specific, the general solution is to cut the first plank of the next row at a length 2-3 inches different than any first plank in a row yet as long as it is at least 6 inches. Continue measuring and cutting planks in thirds and continue installing the planks in staggered rows. To prevent the tool from moving, firmly press it on the floor. Remember to leave a 14-inch gap between the vinyl planks and the walls when you are putting them up. For an example, let's say your room is 15 long by 20 wide. This is due to the planks not moving around, which can create unwanted gaps. Vinyl plank flooring: $1.30-$4.19 per sq. Press the tool firmly on the plank so that the tool will not shift. This technique helps reduce waste. Once youve determined how much space should be left between the end joints of neighboring plank rows, youll have addressed half of the problem of racking vinyl planks in your storage area or warehouse. use with paint or products other than vinyl flooring . For example, it will remind you to use 1/4-inch spacers between boards and walls. From modern to rustic, there is a style to suit any environment. L Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Plank Click Lock Flooring (23.88 sq.ft./case) French Oak Delray 7.17 in. How do you start first row on a 11.4 ft wide x 16 ft. Planks are 7in x 5 ft room. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. If you discover that the planks on the last row are set to be smaller than the planks on the previous row, you will have to trim the planks on the first row to match the size of the planks on the last row. This pattern doesnt provide a natural look to your flooring and can unnecessarily attract the viewers eyes. Any severely uneven areas may need to be shimmed, or require further repair before installing your flooring. Our planks Dimensions: Each plank measures 6 inches x 36 inches and 1.2mm thick. Don't install fasteners in the middle of the plank, where they are easier to see. This will create a staggered pattern that looks natural. The vinyl planks have jagged edges because the blade is dull. ], How to Install Glue Down Vinyl Plank Flooring [Step-by-Step Guide], How to Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring [Answered!! Step 4: Lay Your First Row. 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. Install the plank so that the tongue-and-groove side is facing the wall. Last update on 2023-02-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Continue this pattern until your staggered vinyl floor is finished. Leaving a distance between the floating vinyl floors and the wall itself will allow you to save money on installation costs. This will also help to stagger with different shades of the vinyl plank floors. 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. You should avoid having a sliver of a strip on your final plank. Use the cutoff plank from the end of row two to begin row four. In this section we will answer a few of the common questions about staggering vinyl flooring. How to Remove Vinyl Flooring 2021 DIY Guide. Inquire with your manufacturer about the most effective insulation. Replace the utility knife blades on a regular basis. Cut planks that are All the Same Length. A dull blade causes jagged edges on the vinyl planks. Also known as lightning, a step pattern is draws the eye by being regular and symmetrical, and professionals avoid it. Personally I would stagger them. This will help ensure that the floor is secure and that the planks do not come apart over time. Once you have determined the number of panels required, we recommend purchasing 1 package of leveling shims (24 shims/package) for every 60 panels. Then full , halves, then 3/4 and 1/4. This results in a regular pattern rather than the random, staggered design that you were hoping to achieve. Once the realm of professional installers, resilient flooring installation is greatly simplified with vinyl planking. Use a tape measure to determine the width and length of the room where you want to install the vinyl planks. It is difficult enough to remove the vinyl material from the subfloor without having to deal with the adhesive that had been used to hold the vinyl to the subfloor. Step 5. There is nothing worse than having to deal with a cracked floor because one of the planks broke down after a few days. If you come up with a fraction greater than the minimum stagger spacing, go ahead and use a whole plank to start the first row. The basic rule to remember for creating a strong stagger is that all planks should overlap by 6 inches or more. Pro Tip: Leave the planks in the room for at least 48 for acclimatization. Wide x 60 in. If necessary, use a saw or a utility knife to trim any planks that are not fitting properly. Measure the width of the room where the plank flooring will be installed. Then- divide this figure by the length of your laminate flooring planks. Benefits Of Staggering Vinyl Plank Flooring. Finally, damp mop the floor to remove residue from the cleaning chemicals. If the subfloor is not level, use a self-leveling compound to smooth out any uneven areas. Then, using a utility knife, trim the tongue from the meat. Remove any obstructions. Its end should be at least 6 to 8 inches apart from the closest seam in row one. Yes, vinyl plank floors must be staggered to prevent buckling in the floor over time. Laminate planks that are designed to float have a locking system similar to the tongues and grooves on hardwood boards. This is because the long grout lines parallel to the walls reduce spaces and make narrow spaces smaller than they are. Set the first plank in place on the starting line with the cut side toward the wall, maintaining the expansion gap. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Also, read the installation material that comes with the flooring. Find Out How Many Vinyl Planks Are Required. Maintenance; DIY; Furniture; About. Without mixing them, all of the same shades and patterns will be laid together and it will be noticeable. ), Best Deck Paint For Old Wood (Top Picks! I have standard 4 planks. I need a pattern that will minimize my waste on a plank floor. Yes, you have to stagger vinyl plank flooring. Since the flooring is going to be handling regular weight, its important for the planks to not shift when someone is walking on top of them. Use the offcut from the second row to begin the fourth row and the one from the third row to begin the fifth row. 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. Pick up the first board from the stack. However, you do not want to have the floor bearing erroneous patterns or one that gives amateurish vibes. In this case, I am going to stagger laminate flooring in a room with a dimension of 10'X9 (120 ""X10"). As you work, check to make sure that the planks are straight and that the staggering looks even. Do you have to stagger vinyl plank flooring? If the boxes contain planks from different runs of the flooring, and likely they are, they might have slight color differences. 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. You can alternate pattern how you like. Get this wrong, and your floor will look like an amateur installed it. (Answered! In this guide, we will show you how to stagger vinyl plank flooring. Open the windows to allow sufficient ventilation. The tack strips will be easy to remove with a pry bar, but the staples will require the use of pliers to pull up. Since LVT is engineered wood flooring, the pattern . Vinyl flooring planks are all the same length, as opposed to the random-length hardwood planks found in other flooring types. You should stagger vinyl plank flooring. 7. Planks need to be laid width side because of hallway and a kitchen. The length of that plank determines the length of the last plank in the row, and if you choose carefully, you can use the last plank to start the next row. Apply the floor stripper or paint thinner with a mop and let it soak in for 15 minutes, then scrape off the remaining debris. Staggered joints are essential for a smooth appearance. Remove the baseboards and any other casing that is surrounding the walls to prepare the space. [4 Methods]Continue, Vinyl plank flooring is a terrific alternative if youre searching for stylish, yet affordable, flooring thats also simple to keep and clean. Follow this step precisely it will ensure a smooth surface. (Step-by-Step Tutorial), How to Cut Vinyl Plank Flooring? Step 3: Determine the number of planks you need. Spills should be cleaned up with simple water as soon as they occur, Read More How to Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring [Answered!! Do not compromise on this as that can lead to unwanted repairs in the future. Don't forget to mark the expansion gap for the sides & every row. The trick to properly laying your wood flooring is to stagger the seams, so they appear random. Structurally, adjacent end joints that coincide or occur close to each other are more likely to separate. The rule of thumb is to maintain an 8 stagger as a way to ensure the planks last longer, remain easier to maintain, and look aesthetically pleasing once set up. Now, let's answer the most crucial question: How do you stagger laminate flooring? They are also less expensive when compared to other types of flooring. This isn't the only way to create a random flooring stagger pattern, though, and it may need modifications when something, such as a cabinet, is in the way. French Oak Morada 7.17 in. However, if your planks are wider, you can increase the spacing to a maximum of 10 inches, although 8 inches is ideal. Lay a piece of vinyl flooring against the door casing. Copyright 1990 - 2023 | Flooring Masters & Professional Remodelers, Inc. | All Rights Reserved. "While you might think of the laminate flooring from decades agoand maybe cringe a bitpeel and stick flooring comes . Wear protective gear, such as goggles and gloves, to prevent injury. When laying subsequent rows, be sure to match the pattern of the first row as closely as possible. Use a tapping block and a rubber mallet to help secure the planks in place. Organize the boards from each box so that they form a random pattern before you begin installing them. If they are, hammer or screw them into place so that they will not interfere with the new planks. To do this, start the first row with a full plank, install the row, cut the last plank to length and save the off-cut. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Straight lines dont do this as well as the staggered setup. Similarly, you may observe the correct spacing in two adjacent rows, but if the spacing in the third row is exactly the same, you've created a step pattern. 9. There are 60 planks per box, which will cover 90 square Peel N Stick: The Nexus Floor Planks feature easy DIY installation. Place your tape measure on the right side of a new plank. If you do this incorrectly, your floor will appear to have been built by a novice. How would I cut my planks to stagger them in this situation? To start the third row, pick up a whole plank and cut it into a random length that allows a minimum spacing of 6 inches from the closest joint. There has to be a bit of leeway and that is why the staggered design works. Why Do I Have to Stagger My Wood Floor? 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. The goal when creating a flooring stagger pattern is to distribute the ends joints as randomly as possible. Measure the room and calculate the amount of vinyl planks needed. (Easy Step-By-Step Guide), Types Of Basement Floor Drains (A Complete Guide For You). This tends to go hand-in-hand with the idea of a staggered design being more long-lasting. Step 2: Planning the Installation. 5. Once you have cut them out, install your flooring. Be careful not to create an H-joint. I set my normal stagger at 16" and maintain that throughout the floor. Plan each row in advance as you proceed to lay the laminate. Use the offcut plank from the first row to start the second row. ), Can You Mix Stain With Polyurethane? Fasten the corners and edges with screws or nails, so the plank stays secure as the adhesive dries. Then Go For Second Row Plank. Keep an Eye on how the Rows Align. Racking a laminate floor is a little more difficult than racking a hardwood floor because laminate planks are all the same length, whereas hardwood boards tend to come in different lengths. Figure Out The Spacing Rules For Vinyl Plank Flooring. This indicates the number of rows of planks youll require for room completion. Required fields are marked *. This does matter to those who want to keep the floor in pristine condition year-round. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How To Fix Gouges In Hardwood Floors (Step-by-Step Guide), Can You Paint Hardwood Floors? A staggering pattern is created by putting vinyl planks that have been cut at random lengths to form a staggering pattern at the end joints of adjacent rows of vinyl planks, which is a procedure known as vinyl plank installation. From there, just run your flooring normally. I bought Greystone Oak Water Resistant laminate flooring boards having 6.34 inches width x 47.72 inches length. Additionally, you should plan on trimming the door jambs to make it easier to install the flooring in all areas of the room. [Answered!! Step 1: Test the moisture content of your concrete subfloor. Mixing them will avoid having all lighter Chestnut Brown on one side and noticeably darker Chestnut Brown on the other. If the fraction is smaller, cut about twice the spacing amount off the first plank. In terms of aesthetics, staggering the end joints avoids creating lines that run perpendicular to the direction of the floor. Use a tape measure to determine the width and length of the room where you want to install the vinyl planks.