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Once all of the planks are in place, use a roller or another object to roll over the floor and ensure that the planks are securely attached. If the subfloor is not level, use a self-leveling compound to smooth out any uneven areas. Both are equally important. Step 3: Start laying the second row. This happens often when the planks have not been installed the right way. Staggering is all about spacing the planks correctly. Although it is acceptable to make the gap even wider . It will take some time for the planks to become acclimated to the humidity and temperature of the room. But that's provided you follow basic laminate installation guidelines. Lay a full plank to begin row one. As a result, the best option is to go with the staggered approach. (Step-by-Step Tutorial). Natural wood varies in tone so I dont bother ensuring box run dyes are similar if I truly want a natural look, just make sure to mix it up a bit like dont do three dark then three light sort of idea. Copyright 1990 - 2023 | Flooring Masters & Professional Remodelers, Inc. | All Rights Reserved. In practice, a minimum spacing of 6 inches is sufficient for laminate planks measuring 5 inches in width. You should slide the groove fastener & tongue together towards the end. Make sure to purchase enough planks to allow for staggering, as well as any cutting that may be necessary to fit around obstacles. Step 3: In the second step start working from the right side. Divide this number by the length of a full plank. To begin your laminate flooring stagger, use a laminate cutter or chop saw to cut 5 or 6 laminate boards to various lengths. This tends to go hand-in-hand with the idea of a staggered design being more long-lasting. Once you have determined the number of panels required, we recommend purchasing 1 package of leveling shims (24 shims/package) for every 60 panels. The likelihood of an H-joint being formed increases when the gap between the two pieces is greater than 10 inches. Vinyl flooring planks are all the same length, as opposed to the random-length hardwood planks found in other flooring types. Don't install fasteners in the middle of the plank, where they are easier to see. This type of stagger will closely tie the floors together. Using a tape measure, measure the width and length of each wall in the room where you intend to lay the vinyl plank flooring. Do you have to stagger vinyl plank flooring? (Step-by-Step Tutorial), How to Cut Vinyl Plank Flooring? Staggering also helps to add more structure and support to the floor. Save the cutoff as you might be able to use it at the end of a row somewhere. Depending on the width of the room and the width of planks being . You do not have to be a pro to install this type of floor, but you need to understand the staggering technique, which creates an eye-catching pattern and a stable floor. If the result is smaller than 6 inches, cut 12 inches or 1/3 of the entire plank and start the first row. You basically divide the planks by 1/3rd and it usually works out from a math standpoint. The flooring expands and contracts with temperature changes and needs room to move. Repeat steps #2-3 to complete row three. Remember, you'll need space to stack the panels, which should be away from where you begin laying the . Floating planks will not budge readily. Self Adhesive Wallpaper. Don't pull fast; you might tear the backing, and a fresh edge is difficult to raise from the center . The uniformity of the planks makes it more difficult to create a truly random stagger pattern, which is one with no discernible spacing patterns between the end joints. Vinyl sheet flooring is nearly 100 percent waterproof, making it a great floor covering for kitchens and bathroomsa claim few other floorings can boast. Electro Metallic Vinyl. 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. When you reach the edges of the room, you may need to cut the planks to fit around obstacles such as doorways or cabinets. They are also less expensive when compared to other types of flooring. The vinyl planks have jagged edges because the blade is dull. L Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Plank Click Lock Flooring (23.88 sq.ft./case) French Oak Delray 7.17 in. 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. Take your planks out of their packages in the room youll be doing the flooring. Pick up the first board from the stack. Stagger planks by at least 6 inches, up to one-third of the plank's length. Feel free to alter the plan to suit your personal preference, but always ensure the boards are staggered between 6 to 12 inches apart. Use the leftover piece to begin the next row, in doing that the seams will naturally be staggered. This can lead to eye-catching, and not in a good way, weird joint patterns. Repeat steps #2-3 to complete row four. 14. Some do-it-yourselfers may avoid vinyl sheet flooring because they believe it is too difficult to, Read More How to Install Sheet Vinyl Flooring? This is due to the planks not moving around, which can create unwanted gaps. My planks are 6in. Snipping off these thin strips prevents the plank from sloping toward the wall and gives the floor a smooth, even surface. Use the offcut from the second row to begin the fourth row and the one from the third row to begin the fifth row. 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. Dont use the offcut to begin staggering the third row, as this will create a similar pattern, resulting in the step pattern that you are trying to avoid in the first place. Be sure to use a respirator while sawing. This will create a staggered pattern that looks natural. Although it's fine to make the spacing even wider than this, it seldom makes sense to maintain a minimum of more than 10 inches. Plan each row in advance as you proceed to lay the laminate. Staggering vinyl flooring also helps to maintain the structural integrity of the floor, minimizing the likelihood of problems such as plank bowing, separating, or warping. Remember to leave a 14-inch gap between the vinyl planks and the walls when you are putting them up. This is necessary to activate the adhesive and provide maximum . It is something you are going to appreciate due to how the lines sit on the flooring. Use a tapping block and a rubber mallet to help secure the planks in place. 4. You will want to keep things simple and continue to follow the rule of thumb where there is an 8 stagger between the planks. This is one of those requirements that will play a role in how things turn out with the new flooring. Tips To Install Vinyl Planks Around A Toilet, How To Install Vinyl Plank Flooring Under My Vanity, How To Turn On An Electric Shower In A Bathroom, How To Manage A Shower Head For Bathrooms, Do You Put Vinyl Plank Flooring Under Vanity With Legs? Youre probably wondering how to stagger vinyl plank flooring for outstanding results if you install it. 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. This does happen depending on the temperature in the room or how humid it is. For an example, let's say your room is 15 long by 20 wide. Place the tongue facing the room center, lying along the chalk line. When you get to the end of the second row, you can cut the plank to fit. You may need to cut the first plank in the new row to create the desired stagger. 40 Piece Spacers can stack and stagger the spacers to create different thicknesses.They are tapered, just put two together and adjust to any width,following the instructions,a helpful kit for a faster and efficient laminate floor install. Retired guy from Southern Manitoba, Canada. L Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Plank Click Lock Flooring (23.88 sq.ft./case) French Oak Maywood 9.13 in. The packaging paper protects the adhesive strips and prevents the strips from collecting dust and dirt as you work. Now that you have your tools ready, flooring mapped out and a clean workspace it's time to lay your first row of planks. Planks need to be laid width side because of hallway and a kitchen. You can do this with a moisture meter, ensuring that your reading is no more than three-pounds per 1,000 square feet per 24 hours. Racking the planks also improves the floors aesthetic appeal. If they are, hammer or screw them into place so that they will not interfere with the new planks. If you dont have a roller, walking over all areas of the floor may suffice. Angle your flooring at about 10-15 degrees for it to fit easily. Laminate flooring planks come in 3- and 4-foot lengths, and when you're installing 3-foot planks, you'll want to use a shorter spacing to avoid H-joints. This space allows the planks to expand and contract without buckling. Lay down the plank with the tongue side facing the wall. You will want to ensure it lasts for a long time. To start row 3, cut a full-width plank to the length of the trimmed, ripped piece at the end of row 1. This randomizes the layout without creating a step pattern. Will the joints look randomly placed? 15 x 6= 90 pieces. Cut a small piece of wood from the first plank to allow the last piece in the row to be longer than 6 inches if the last plank in the row is less than 6 inches. While this is not the first thing you are going to think about during the installation phase, its still important to consider the aesthetics of this type of setup and how it plays out when everything is said and done. Structurally, adjacent end joints that coincide or occur close to each other are more likely to separate. When starting the next row, avoid having the short ends of the planks line up with the seams on the planks in the adjacent row. The rule of thumb that professional flooring installers follow is to stagger the end joint of adjacent rows by a distance equal to 2 or 3 times the width of the plank. Staggering your floor simply involves putting your planks in irregular lengths for each row and cutting some of the planks you will install on the other rows. Off-gassing is the term used to describe the chemical odor that vinyl planks emit for a few hours or days after installation. That makes 6 inches the most common minimum spacing for 2- and 3-inch hardwood boards, but laminate planks are typically wider than this. Spread adhesive on the back of the plank and firmly press it against the riser. To do that, first drop the 13 from 13.667 leaving you 0.667 inch, then add 1 to get 1.667. Step 4: Lay Your First Row. Be aware of any potential dangers when installing vinyl plank flooring. ], How to Install Glue Down Vinyl Plank Flooring [Step-by-Step Guide], How to Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring [Answered!! To start row 3, cut a full-width plank to the length of the trimmed, ripped piece at the end of row 1. To avoid these, use your cutoff planks to begin every other row. Manufacturers often group the same shades and patterns together. Staggering is used to avoid flooring patterns like the H pattern, in which the seams of the planks are aligned to form the letter H. Flooring patterns appear strange and may draw attention to themselves. It is also called bricking or walling, if that term is easier to understand. Rob joined the Home Flooring Pros team in 2014 and is a freelance writer, specializing in flooring, remodeling and HVAC systems (read more). Vinyl flooring can be used to create a realistic replica of, Read More What is Vinyl Flooring [Ultimate Guide]Continue, However, even while vinyl flooring can withstand a great deal of abuse, especially in high-traffic areas of a home, it still needs regular maintenance and cleaning to keep it looking its best. . This is where staggering comes into action. 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. Pick up the plank and slowly break the plank apart at the score line. Then Go For Second Row Plank. I have standard 4 planks. The offcut from the third row can be used to begin the fifth row if desired. Also, study the installation instructions included with the flooring. Use the cutoff to begin the next row. Without these crucial steps, a bit of the shine will be taken off your vinyl plank flooring patterns.