Vinyl: Before Installation

Owning a home, it seems, is all about being prepared. Preparing your home for seasonal changes, preparing for guests and now preparing for the arrival of new vinyl flooring. Being ready for the installation of your new vinyl flooring will make the entire process go faster, more efficiently, and hopefully eliminate any “surprises.”

Hire a Professional

This type of floor is heavy, difficult work
It’s labor intensive and extremely exacting
Not for the do-it-yourselfer
Installing vinyl flooring is a skill that is developed through years of experience

Subfloor Preparation

Installing over a wood substrate, an underlayment will generally be necessary
Installing over a concrete substrate will not require an underlayment but will require some floor preparation
Pay attention to the height of your appliances to counters and cabinets if an underlayment is required
Strongly recommended that existing flooring be removed, to ensure a proper high quality installation before installing new
Professionals determine if your existing vinyl flooring is acceptable or if it will need to be removed

Install Methods

Full Spread

The adhesive is trowled over the entire substrate

Perimeter Adhered

Installation method in which adhesive is only applied to the perimeter of the flooring and also at the seams

Floating

Type of installation in which the vinyl flooring is not bonded to the substrate by any adhesive

Before Installation Day

Relocate furniture
Empty china cabinets and closets
Consider removal and disposal of old floorcovering
Remove it yourself and leave 1 day before install
Moldings and baseboards need to be removed for stone installation
Installers not responsible for damage or breakage due to dry or brittle wood
Painted baseboards, woodwork and paint may need retouching ( this is your responsibility)
Existing sub floor may need to be prepared to receive the stone

Door Plan

Possibility that doors may not clear the new floor and swing free
Installers may remove doors and re-hang for an additional cost.
For clearance issues, arrange for a qualified carpenter to shave or cut down

Clean-up

Waste will be produced
Waste collected and disposed of by installers at an additional cost

Installation Day

Be home and available
Be prepared for questions
Presence insures the right wood is installed in the right areas
Exact time of arrival cannot be guaranteed, only a time frame

Safety

Installers use tools and techniques that can be hazardous
Make sure that children and pets are out of the work area
Follow through with a walk-thru
Prior to completion-walk thru to ask questions and be clear on any final details

After Installation Day

Establish good ventilation for 48 to 72 hours