If luxury vinyl tile are the flooring solution ideal for your home design budget, you may want to spare the expense of having a professional installation. We at Galloway Flooring would recommend that you always opt for a professional installation, especially if the design you want is complex or the room has an odd shape.
Regardless, you have probably landed here looking for clues on how to self-install. So, here are some helpful pointers for those feeling a dab hand at the DIY on LVT.
Before you think about taking your LVT out of the packaging, your subfloor must be a combination of dry, flat and clean a full 24 hours before starting any installation work.
This is why you should always discuss it with a professional before undertaking this task. There are many intracies that you must follow in order for your flooring to fit perfectly. To ensure LVT lays flat, you may require underlayment to the specifics of the room. It will need to unroll in the same direction as the vinyl flooring is being installed to stabilise.
Try to remove any skirting boards and other trim carefully before you begin. If you have removed them carefully, they can be returned once the vinyl tiles are successfully settled.
Glue Down LVT
Glue Down LVT is a method providing stable, long-lasting flooring with a slightly thinner design.
After ensuring your existing subfloor is flat and smoothed out with no imperfections, each tile will require glueing down in your desired laying pattern. It will take a bit longer to install and may require the work of a professional installer if you are unsure of the patten or have an oddly shaped room.
Glue Down LVT is considered the more affordable option over Click LVT, but being cheaper is not down to the quality. Both products offer increased stability and sustainable durability for heavy traffic areas, and is perfect where moisture and temperatures rise - like bathrooms and kitchens.
Even though LVT flooring is fully resistant to moisture and temperature, certain incidents can affect your floor. If you install LVT in high-water areas, Glue Down tiles would be the most suited for the room.
Click LVT
Whilst providing the same layered design as Glue Down, Click LVT does have differences. The click system design requires a thicker product than glue down, which does not offer anymore durability, but has the same wear layer strength.
The click system offers more ease in installation and can be fitted by anyone with some DIY chops over the course of a day. Many people choose to spare the expense of a professional fitter and the hourly rate they charge, but it is not always as straightforward as it may seem. Some floors may require specialist underlay instead of fitting it straight over a smooth subfloor, which boosts comfort but may require a professional.
There are benefits for each type of vinyl flooring throughout the home, and you are not limited to having just one type consistently running through. Glue-down is a better option for high-traffic areas such as kitchens, living rooms and hallways. Both versions are equally impressive, with the click offering a more realistic wooden aesthetic.
Ensure that you leave the floor to settle in for a maximum of 48 hrs before exposing it to heavier foot traffic. Avoid the room if possible, or tread lightly one at a time if it’s a passage room.
At Galloway Flooring in Manchester, we pride ourselves on getting vinyl flooring installation right the first time, so it is always worth swinging toward the prfessional installation for any LVT product.
For more information on luxury vinyl tile, drop by our Galloway Flooring showroom in Denton and speak with our helpful staff.
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