Everyone wants their house to look beautiful. They want it to be unique, have a character. And what better ways to do that than installing vinyl plank flooring? Thankfully, Lifeproof vinyl plank flooring is here to do exactly that. But how to install Lifeproof vinyl plank flooring? Well, let’s figure it out, shall we?
In this article, I’m going to talk about how you can install Lifeproof vinyl plank flooring. What is the process and what components will you need to get the job done?
Just follow these instructions step by step and you won’t face any kind of trouble at all. But before we begin we need to know about some tools which are necessary to go through this process.
How to Install Lifeproof Vinyl Plank Flooring
Tools you will need to install Lifeproof vinyl plank flooring
There are multiple tools you will need to install vinyl plank flooring. They are stated below.
- Knee pads
- Tape measure
- Pry bar
- Pliers
- Sandpaper
- ¼ inch wedge spacers
- Utility knife
- Fine-tooth handsaw
- Hammer
- Lifeproof vinyl plank flooring
- Carpenter’s square
- Straightedge
- Brad nailer
Process for installing Lifeproof vinyl plank flooring
There are few steps you need to follow to install vinyl plank flooring accordingly. If you complete all of these steps properly then the whole process would seem like a piece of cake to you.
Step 1: Measure how much flooring space you need
A good way to start the installation process is to ensure how much space you need or how many boxes of planks are needed for your flooring. It is always wise to keep an extra 10% material than what you would require. Because if you want different colors or shades on your floor there won’t be any fear of running out of materials.
You can always return the extra ones after the job is complete.
Step 2: Plan and figure out the layout you want for your flooring
You always want your flooring to look neat and stand out to the crowd, regardless of what kind of flooring material you are using. So, before using vinyl plank flooring it’s always a good idea to think about the possible layout you want to use for your vinyl plank flooring. You sure wouldn’t want to have small plunks at the beginning of a row or a slim row on the end of the flooring.
So, planning the layout is surely something you wanna think about before beginning. And to make this job much easier you can always check out the instructions where you’ll find how to complete calculations and layout your boards.
Step 3: The third step of this process is removing the trim moldings
Usually, three kinds of moldings can be seen. Baseboards, doorcase moldings, and shoe moldings. If this is connecting directly with the floor you need to get rid of them. Because you wouldn’t want them to be a burden to your installation. Trims are connected with the wall via nails.
So to get rid of them, place the pry bar between the molding and wall and pry it out. Once that is done carefully pull the brads out of the molding. Use filters to do this. It’s as simple as that. And the best part is after you have taken the trims out, if they are still usable you can always use them later and not buy a new one.
Step 4: Getting the floor prepared
An awesome specialty of Lifeproof boards is that you can install them over the existing floor. You don’t need to go through the burden of getting rid of the existing floor. Great, right? All you need to do is make sure that the existing floor has a plain surface. If there’s any kind of bumps or obstacles remove them. Sandpapers can come in handy to do that.
Polish the surface of the floor until it’s completely smooth so when you place your vinyl plank boards you won’t face any kind of issues. If it’s a concrete surface, fill in the holes and cracks that may pop up. Use a concrete patcher to do this. Floor leveling products are great to help in case it’s plywood subfloors that you need to get ready before applying plank boards.
Step 5: Installing your first set of plank boards
So after you have planned out the layout of your floor and are preparing them now it’s time to install the boards. Carefully place the first row of the plank board. Place them alongside the lengths of the wall you want your boards to be with. To get this done first start working with a full board at the center of the row then slowly go towards the edges.
And when you are cutting like this you will have similar looking planks on both ends with equal lengths. It is advised to leave a gap of about ¼ inch between the wall and the edge of the boards. It’ll help you later if you come up with any expansion plans. Use the wedge spacer tool to get this gap.
Step 6: Cut the vinyl plank boards to the size you want
If you’ve completed the previous steps completely, keep it up the good work. You now know the number of planks you will need to complete a full row and how much you’ll have to cut to even up each end. Now it’s time to do some shopping. To do that first you need to place your carpenter’s square on the face of the board.
After that take a utility knife and start scratching the face. Don’t go too hard on it. Then continue using your knife but this time run it back and forth and cut the plank. Some people don’t have utility knives but they don’t have to worry much. A good handsaw would work just fine as well.
Next, turn the plank outside down but remember to keep the finished side upside down. Hold both of the edges lightly and use your hands to fold it back. It should come off very easily. In case it doesn’t, use the knife or the handsaw to get the job done.
Step 7: Installing the planks
Almost all the vinyl floorboards come with a tongue and groove system. Lifeproof vinyl planks aren’t an exception either. This tongue and groove system helps these boards to interlock between each other much more easily and strongly.
To begin the installation process first you have to select the first piece of the plank and place it in a suitable position so you can begin your row. After that take another plank and place it at such an angle so that it can be easily placed in the first one receiving groove.
After that push, it flats down to the surface so it comes level with the first plank. Continue like this until the first row is done. After that keep repeating the process, join the plank’s edge to edge first then push it flat on the groove of the previous plank.
Step 8: Trimming and installing the last pieces of plank boards
When you reach towards the last pieces of planks you might realize that they need to be cut lengthwise. Keep a keen eye to cut enough to cover the remaining gap but also to keep a ¼ inch gap between the wall and the boards for future extensions.
A useful tool to get clear and smooth cuts is a utility knife and straightedge. You can use these tools as many times as you want until the boards get the shape you want. And when that is done simply align them to the previous boards to complete the row.
Step 9: Final touches and reattaching the trim
If you have reached this step after all the hard work congratulations! You have completed all the necessary steps and installed Lifeproof vinyl plank flooring. Now that wasn’t much hard, was it? For the last step of the installation process just place the trim in the right place, use a brad nailer and place a few brad nails through the trim.
Then hang it on the wall again and the installation process is complete.
Some tips to avoid rookie mistakes while installing Lifeproof vinyl plank flooring
Usually, installing Lifeproof vinyl planks is quite an easy process and doesn’t take much time either. But there can be some simple mistakes which will not only make the job difficult but also waste a lot of time. To avoid this issue follow the tips given below.
Installing planks on a floor that’s surface is not plain
An important step of the installation process is ensuring that the floor you are putting your planks on is plain and smooth. If you don’t check that you may end up with gaps between the boards. They might even make noises when you walk on them because of this.
Using faulty planks
Always remember to double-check if the planks are okay before using them. Even the sharpest of eyes can sometimes make mistakes. And a defective plank can cost thousands to the owner for repair.
Not allowing time to cope up
Vinyl plank boards can be vulnerable to use. They need time to cope up with the new environment. So storing them in the room they’ll be placed to a day or two before is always a wise move to take.
Not leaving an expansion gap
Remembering this point is very crucial. If you don’t leave any expansion gap it’ll have no place to go when gaining pressure while expanding. As a result, your plank boards may get ruined.
FAQs of Lifeproof Vinyl Plank Flooring
Is Lifeproof vinyl flooring good?
Yes, Lifeproof vinyl proofing is an excellent choice for your flooring job. It has a floating and interlocking sort of mechanism for the installation process. Furthermore, it’s 100% waterproof too. So, it is without any doubt the best choice available in the market.
Does Lifeproof vinyl plank need a vapor barrier?
No, Lifeproof vinyl Plank flooring doesn’t need a vapor barrier. It is mainly used for damp proofing but it’s not necessary for Lifeproof vinyl. It’s even mentioned clearly in the instruction manual.
Is Lifeproof floorings suitable for basement usage?
Yes, it’s one of the best choices to use for basement flooring. It’s one of the most durable options available in the market and it’s also waterproof too. Needless to say, it leads the way when it comes to basement usage.
Conclusion
A house is something special to human beings. They want to decorate it with as much beauty as possible. And they also want those decorative materials to be durable and comfortable. Lifeproof vinyl plank flooring is the best for fulfilling all those requirements. It is also very easy to install and if someone follows the steps mentioned above carefully he’ll face no problem during the installation process.