How to Install Glue Down Vinyl Plank Flooring with Step-by-Step Instructions

While it requires careful attention to detail, the process is surprisingly straightforward for any motivated homeowner.

In this guide, we provide you with a complete step-by-step walkthrough for how to install glue down vinyl plank flooring. You'll learn the key steps that will make your flooring look flawless. With the right materials and information, you can do this project yourself and save significantly on installation costs.

Overview of Installation Process
 

Material Acclimation

Vinyl planks need time to adjust to the room's temperature and humidity. This process, called acclimation, reduces the chances of the planks expanding or contracting post-installation. Typically, you need to leave the planks in the room for a few days before installation for this.

Subfloor Preparation

Every good floor starts with a good base. For an adhesive to work well, it needs a clean, smooth surface. Any left-behind particles can affect the glue's performance and ultimately your floor's quality.

Planks Cutting

DIY installation means you must know how to cut vinyl planks too

Cutting your planks to fit your layout not only helps you achieve a clean, professional look but it also ensures that your planks fit perfectly around corners, doorways, and any other unique features in your room. Also, correctly cut planks will align with your walls, helping maintain the direction and pattern of your flooring.

Adhesive Application

Applying adhesive secures your vinyl planks to the subfloor. The trick is ensuring even coverage. This step is all about consistency - providing a uniform hold that keeps every part of your plank firmly in place.

Plank Installation

Installation is more than placing planks on the floor. This step requires careful alignment of each plank and attention to maintaining an expansion gap around the room edges. Following the right method here makes all the difference to your floor's final look.

Floor Rolling

Post-installation, use a floor roller across the entire floor. This additional pressure improves the adhesive bond between the planks and the subfloor, ensuring every part of your floor is secure.

Cleanup

Once the floor is installed, proper cleanup and regular maintenance are key. Removing any leftover adhesive quickly prevents damage, and regular cleaning keeps your vinyl looking fresh. Maintenance is the secret to a long-lasting, attractive vinyl floor.

What You'll Need

Make sure you have all the necessary tools and supplies handy. Here's a breakdown for each step:

• Floor and Subfloor Preparation: Level, broom or vacuum, pry bar, hammer, vinyl floor cleaner.
• Cutting Planks: Utility knife, straight edge, tape measure, fine-tooth saw.
• Applying Adhesive: Adhesive, trowel.
• Installing the Planks: Vinyl planks, spacers, pull bar, rubber mallet.
• Post-Installation Rolling and Drying: Floor roller.
• Cleanup: Cloth, gentle scraper, broom or vacuum, baseboards or trim.
   

How to Install Glue Down Vinyl Plank Flooring
 

Acclimate Your Vinyl Plank Flooring

Acclimation is important as it lets the planks get used to the environment

This essential step might seem a bit odd, but it allows your vinyl planks to adjust to the environment of your home.

The reason behind it is pretty straightforward: materials like vinyl can expand or contract based on the temperature and humidity levels, which can lead to issues down the line if not addressed early.

Skipping the acclimation process or not doing it correctly might lead to unwanted gaps or warping later on. So, even though you might be eager to get started, take your time with this step to ensure a smoother, longer-lasting flooring installation.

The acclimation process is fairly easy to execute, but it requires a bit of time and patience. Here's how you do it:

• Bring in the Vinyl Planks: Move the boxes of vinyl planks into the room where you're planning to install them. If possible, try to spread the boxes around the room rather than stacking them in one corner.
• Open the Boxes: Some manufacturers recommend opening the boxes to let the planks breathe, while others may suggest leaving them closed. It's best to follow the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer on this matter.
• Wait it Out: Let the vinyl planks sit in the room for at least 48 hours. However, some manufacturers may recommend a longer period, like 72 hours.

Always adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines for the acclimation period. During this time, the planks will naturally adjust to the room's temperature and humidity levels.

During the acclimation process, maintain normal living conditions in the room.

Don't crank up the heat or air conditioning, and try to avoid significant changes in humidity. This ensures that the planks are acclimating to the conditions under which they will usually exist.

Prepare Your Floor and Subfloor

Make sure you have clean subfloor before installation

Before you can start laying down your new vinyl planks, you'll need to prepare your floor and subfloor. This involves several steps, and while not all of them may be necessary for every installation, it's important to know what each one entails. 

Start with a thorough inspection of your floor.

• You're looking for any signs of damage or wear, such as cracks, chips, or loose tiles. This is also a good time to check for any signs of moisture damage, like staining or discoloration. 

Next, you'll need to remove any existing flooring.

• If you're dealing with tile, you'll need to use a floor scraper to lift the tiles off the floor.
• If it's carpet, start by cutting it into strips with a utility knife, then pull it up, being careful to remove all the padding and tack strips. 

After that, clean the subfloor thoroughly.

• Sweep or vacuum up any dirt, dust, and debris, and then mop the floor with a damp mop to pick up any residual dust. Make sure the floor is completely dry before you move on to the next step.

For those with concrete subfloors, a crucial step is to check for moisture. You can do this using a calcium chloride test kit.

• If the test shows that the moisture level is too high, you may need to apply a concrete sealer before proceeding with the installation. 

It's also important to ensure that the subfloor is level. You can check this using a long level or a straight edge.

• If there are any dips or rises on the floor, you may need to use a self-leveling compound to even it out. 

Finally, consider applying a primer to the subfloor. While this step isn't always necessary, it can help the adhesive bond better to the floor and create a more secure and long-lasting installation. 

Remember, taking the time to prepare your floor and subfloor properly is an investment in the success of your project.

A well-prepared subfloor provides a stable, clean, and level surface that allows the adhesive to work effectively and ensures that your vinyl planks lie flat and secure.

Cut Your Vinyl Planks According to the Layout

Be careful when cutting vinyl planks especially to match corners

Here are some common tools used to cut vinyl planks, each with its own strengths:

• Utility Knife: This is a simple, handy tool for making straight, clean cuts. It works best when you need precision, like when cutting planks to fit around door frames or other obstacles.
• Vinyl Tile Cutter: If you're dealing with a larger room, a vinyl tile cutter could be your best friend. It can help you make quick, accurate cuts and is particularly useful when you need to cut many planks to the same size.
• Jigsaw or Circular Saw: For more complex cuts or to cut several planks at once, a jigsaw or circular saw can be extremely useful. Just make sure to use a fine-tooth blade to avoid chipping the vinyl.

Each cutting method has its advantages, and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and circumstances.

Now, here're how you can use these tools:

Using a Utility Knife

Mark the line where you want to cut on the vinyl plank using a straightedge and a marker.

Score along the line with the utility knife. It may take several passes to score the vinyl.

Bend the plank at the score line, and it should snap cleanly along the line.

Using a Vinyl Tile Cutter

Position the plank in the cutter with the decorative side facing up.

Align the cutting blade with the mark where you want to cut.

Press down on the handle to cut the plank.

Using a Jigsaw or Circular Saw

Mark the cut line on the plank using a straightedge and marker.

Place the plank on a secure surface with the cut line hanging over the edge.

Following the cut line, move the saw steadily through the plank.

Always remember to take safety precautions when using these tools, including wearing eye protection and keeping your hands clear of the cutting blade.

Apply the Adhesive

Not all adhesives are created equal. Your choice should be based on the type of vinyl plank flooring you're installing.

Most manufacturers recommend a specific adhesive for their products, so be sure to check the installation guide that comes with your planks.

Apply the adhesive evenly

The adhesive should be applied evenly across the subfloor. Too little can lead to weak adhesion and loose planks, while too much can cause the adhesive to seep up between the planks. The goal is a thin, uniform layer of adhesive across the entire floor.

You will typically use a trowel to spread the adhesive. Here's how:

• Dip the trowel into the adhesive and scoop out a manageable amount.
• Start in the corner of the room, spreading the adhesive in the direction of the room's exit. This way, you won't walk over the freshly applied adhesive.
• Hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle and spread the adhesive evenly over the subfloor, making sure to cover the entire area where the first few planks will go.

Allow the adhesive to cure before you start laying planks. Curing time can vary based on the specific product used, but a typical range is 15 to 30 minutes. The adhesive is ready when it's tacky but doesn't stick to your finger when touched.

How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring

After your adhesive is properly applied and cured, it's time to get your vinyl planks in place.

Where to Start

The best place to start installing your vinyl planks is in the left corner of the room, working towards the right. If you're right-handed, this method works best as it allows you to fit the planks more easily.

Which Direction to Install

In general, planks are usually installed parallel to the longest wall in the room, giving the room a more elongated look.

However, the direction can also depend on the source of light. Planks tend to look better when they run parallel to the direction of incoming sunlight.

Lay Down the Planks

Begin by laying the first row along the wall, maintaining an expansion gap of about 1/4 inch. This gap allows for the expansion and contraction of the planks due to temperature changes. You can use spacers to maintain this gap consistently.

To lay down a plank, angle it slightly and place it into the adhesive. Press down firmly to ensure a strong bond between the plank and adhesive.

Interlock the Planks

Most vinyl plank flooring comes with a tongue and groove design that makes the installation process easier.

• Take the next plank and align the tongue of the new plank with the groove of the plank already on the floor.
• Gently lower the plank and apply pressure. You should hear a click as the two planks lock together.
• Repeat the process until you've completed the first row.
   

Proceed with the Next Rows

Work across the floor installing one row of vinyl planks at a time

When starting a new row, make sure the end joints of the planks are staggered at least six inches from the end joints in the previous row. This helps to give your floor a more natural look and strengthens the overall floor structure.

As you move towards the right side of the room, remember to use planks as needed to fit around obstacles like door frames and vents.

Final Plank Installation

When you reach the final row, you may need to cut the planks lengthwise to fit. Make sure to maintain the 1/4 inch expansion gap along this final wall as well.

Roll the Floor

For this, you'll need a 75 to 100-lb floor roller, which you can usually rent from a home improvement store.

Starting from one end of the room, roll the floor roller across your vinyl planks, applying even pressure as you go.

Make sure to roll over every part of the floor, especially the seams and edges.

Post-Installation

Although it may be tempting to start using your new floor as soon as the planks are laid down, patience is key.

Letting the Floor Dry

After you've finished rolling, it's time to let your floor dry completely.

This generally takes at least 24 hours, but it can be longer depending on the type of adhesive used and the conditions in your home. During this time, try to keep traffic on the floor to a minimum.

Avoid placing heavy furniture or rugs on the floor during this period. It's important to give the adhesive enough time to fully bond with the vinyl planks without any additional pressure or disruption.

Remove Spacers

Begin by removing the spacers you placed around the edges of the room during installation. These ensured the necessary expansion gap, but now that the floor is installed, they're no longer needed.

Clean the Floor

Vacuum the new floor to remove remaining dust

Clean the floor to remove any adhesive that may have seeped up between the planks or onto the surface. A damp cloth usually does the trick, but if the adhesive has dried, a gentle scraper can be used. Just be careful not to scratch your new floor.

Sweep or Vacuum

Once all the adhesive is cleaned up, sweep or vacuum the floor to remove any remaining dust or debris. When vacuuming, use a hard floor setting to avoid scratching the vinyl.

Add Baseboards or Trim

After your floor is clean, you can add baseboards or trim. These pieces not only provide a finished look to your room but also cover the expansion gap around the edge of the room.

Attach the baseboards or trim to the wall, not the floor, to allow the vinyl planks to expand and contract as needed.

Conclusion

With diligent preparation and attention to detail, your DIY skills can save you thousands of dollars on high labor costs for the installation. By following the techniques in this guide on how to install glue down vinyl plank flooring, you can upgrade your home with beautiful and affordable floors.