When it comes to the pros of staggering vinyl plank flooring, the main benefit has to do with the increased stability under your feet. Not only is this but going to help with how stable the surface is, it is also going to make it easier to maintain. They can be anywhere from 5 to 12 inches wide, so following this rule is impractical when installing a floating floor. 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. How to Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring Like a Pro Do You Have To Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring? (Explained) Measure one-third of this plank and mark a small vertical line with your pencil. For example, if your room measures 123 in., and your flooring is 5.75 in. An H-joint can also create a weak spot on the floor and increases the risk of the planks loosening and coming apart at some point in the future. Installing Vinyl Floors - A Do It Yourself Guide Make sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully to avoid any accidents. 7. However, if your planks are broader, you can extend the spacing to a maximum of 10 inches, although 8 inches is the best distance between each plank. I set my normal stagger at 16" and maintain that throughout the floor. This will create a staggered pattern that looks natural. Cut your starter, so it is at least 2" longer or shorter than your previous two starting pieces. Lower the second plank to snap the planks together. Vinyl flooring planks are all the same length, unlike random-length hardwood planks. Keep Distance Between Seams. Without mixing them, all of the same shades and patterns will be laid together and it will be noticeable. Check that the tongue side has been removed before proceeding, as the groove side will be required during the assembly process. Step 2: Take the first board and cut the top 1-inch strip from the board. Then, use a utility knife to trim off the tongue. That will give you a more natural look at the floor. This strip will cover the gap between the two types of flooring and help to create a seamless transition. Use the cutoff to begin the next row. Take the planks out of their boxes and mix them. Lay at least one more full-width plank in this second row. Commercial laminate planks typically measure three or four feet long. Lay down each of the parts before snapping them together. (Step-by-Step Tutorial). How to Stagger Wood Floor Planks (3 Mistakes to Avoid) - Floor Care Kits Pro tips for measuring room for luxury vinyl flooring - MSI Surfaces How to Deep Clean Vinyl Floors? This type of joint is immediately noticeable in the finished floor, and it detracts from the flooring pattern almost as much as two end joints next to each other. Pro Tip: Leave the planks in the room for at least 48 for acclimatization. One Way Vision. Organize the boards from each box so that they form a random pattern before you begin installing them. Does your staggering example above work for 2412 inch planks? Reviews for Malibu Wide Plank French Oak Lancaster 7.17 in. Wide x 60 . How to Install Perfectly Staggered Vinyl Plank Flooring? (5 Tips) Although it is acceptable to make the gap even wider . Make as much space as you can spare in the area where you will be laying the DRICORE panels. How do you stagger a plank on a floor? - Interior Magazine: Leading 15. This can be challenging when installing planks that are all the same length, but if you use the following technique, you'll be able to do it while wasting a minimum of flooring and without having to use a plank flooring layout calculator. This is necessary due to the fact that vinyl is sensitive to temperature variations. Laminate planks that are designed to float have a locking system similar to the tongues and grooves on hardwood boards. Start off by determining the length of the room using a tape measure. To install this floor, you do not need to be a professional, but you must understand the staggering technique, which generates an eye-catching pattern and a stable floor. This ensures an even floor color shade instead of having planks of the same color shade installed on one end and the other shade installed on the other end. ), Best Deck Paint For Old Wood (Top Picks! 9. If you dont have a roller, walking over all areas of the floor may suffice. Measure the room and calculate the amount of vinyl planks needed. How to Stagger Vinyl Plank Floors | Home Guides | SF Gate Should wood floors be staggered? - greenyplace.com How to Stagger Wood Flooring: Everything a Beginner Needs to Know Finally, you should use a roller to press the planks down so that they bond to the adhesive. If the flooring comes up easily, you'll need to reduce the . Open the windows to allow fresh air to circulate and reduce the stink. Start by laying the first row of planks along the longest straight wall in the room. Place your tape measure on the right side of a new plank. Use a tape measure to determine the width and length of the room where you want to install the vinyl planks. How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring - The Home Depot There is nothing worse than having to deal with a cracked floor because one of the planks broke down after a few days. Staggering the planks will help stabilize the flooring and ensure the wood does not crack due to natural expansion from moisture. long by 93.5in wide. Depending on the width of the room and the width of planks being . For those who are on the fence, you will want to know more about the advantages of staggering vinyl plank flooring at home. Our goal is to deliver high-quality information to help homeowners decide which type of flooring to install in their homes. When laying subsequent rows, be sure to match the pattern of the first row as closely as possible. 8. Design Apartments; Design Styles; Room. What staggering method would you use. Use a tapping block and a rubber mallet to help secure the planks in place. Its not just the LVT staggered pattern that counts. Divide this number by the length of a full plank. (Step-by-Step Tutorial), How to Install Lifeproof Vinyl Plank Flooring? The thing to keep is that while removing the vinyl plank from the boxed, you need to mix the planks and pick different shaded planks. How to Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring?[7 Steps] - The Marmoleum Store For a standard pattern repeat, first measure the length and width of your room. This ensures that temperature change is gradual and your planks stay flat and straight. Im studying how to get the first n last row correct n the pattern correct. Cut two more fresh boards to start the next two rows, but from the fourth row on, start using the offcuts from previous rows. What does Staggered Vinyl Flooring Installation Means? If the fraction is smaller, cut about twice the spacing amount off the first plank. The number of planks required to cover the entire floor can be calculated by multiplying the width of the room by the width of the planks. The information contained on whatisvinyl.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Measure one-third of this plank and mark a small vertical line with your pencil. Using this calculation, you will also determine the correct size of . Begin by trimming off the short tongue edge of the first plank with a knife. How to Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring - A Detailed Guide 2022 Set the first plank in place on the starting line with the cut side toward the wall, maintaining the expansion gap. L Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Plank Click Lock Flooring (23.88 sq.ft./case) French Oak Delray 7.17 in. Place 14-inch spacers against the wall before starting your first row of boards. Generally speaking, it is advised that the gap between the end-joints of neighboring rows be approximately 6 inches, however, this will vary depending on the size of the planks being used. Spread adhesive on the back of the plank and firmly press it against the riser. Staggering Vinyl plank flooring is an excellent method to spruce up your floors without breaking the budget. Before you install the new vinyl planks, put them in the targeted room 2-3 days in advance. How to Remove Vinyl and Linoleum Flooring Step 1: Score the First Row of Planks. 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? With a straight edge and a utility knife, cut the first row of planks to 5 inches wide, cutting off the tongue side of the plank. This gap allows for the expansion and contraction of the planks with temperature changes and prevents buckling. Divide the length of the room by the width of the planks, making sure to leave a 14-inch gap on either side of the floor to allow for expansion and contraction. The tapping block will help prevent damage to the planks, while the rubber mallet will provide enough force to securely attach the planks. All laminate planks have the same length, which may make an irregular pattern sound impossible to achieve. Placing the vinyl planks in the room beforehand will make the flooring more durable. A staggered flooring looks like the planks are just flowing from one row to the next. A much nicer, looking install without skinny pieces. (Tips And Tricks), Can You Tile Over Linoleum? 2. This process is relatively challenging, so you will need to be patient until you get the gist. You should slide the groove fastener & tongue together towards the end. Due to the fact that vinyl planks are commonly 2 to 3 inches broad, the 6-inch spacing guideline would be applicable. Inquire with your manufacturer about the most effective insulation. Cut planks with a straight edge and a utility knife to score the planks and then snap them together if you have to do so. 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. Fasten the corners and edges with screws or nails, so the plank stays secure as the adhesive dries. Remove the planks from their boxes and mix them up. In addition to finding out the number of planks you will need and the size of the first and last row planks, it is also essential to establish the minimum spacing between the end-points of the planks. After every row, continue this procedure, keeping in mind that the first boards are two to three inches longer or shorter than the other initial boards. Stagger planks by at least 6 inches, up to one-third of the plank's length. 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. Since the flooring is going to be handling regular weight, its important for the planks to not shift when someone is walking on top of them. (Step-by-Step Tutorial), How to Install Glue Down Vinyl Plank Flooring? Install the plank so that the tongue-and-groove side is facing the wall. 14. Kitchen Floor Tiles Staggered or Straight? Pros and Cons 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. But eyeball the first piece of each new row. Keep the offcuts and use them to begin the next row of stitches. This will stagger the seams between the adjacent rows in a random way. There is nothing worse than walking on flooring that begins to creak and/or crack as soon as a bit of weight is put on top of it. Take the first board out of the stack and place it on the table. Allow a gap of approximately 1/8 inch around the perimeter of the room. Stagger the seams so they appear random to lay your wood flooring properly. Repeat steps #2-3 to complete row three. To begin the sixth row, cut a new plank to a random length from the previous one. For professional results, you'll want to plan properly. After a few rows, you should get the hang of it. Ensure that your planks are stored in the room where they are to be installed for at least 48 hours before installing them. Repeat this for every row as needed. This happens often when the planks have not been installed the right way. Continue this pattern until your staggered vinyl floor is finished. We will also break down step-by-step what you will need to do in order to properly stagger your vinyl flooring. . If you want vinyl flooring to seem properly spaced, you must make sure that the first plank in every third row is at least two to three inches longer or shorter than the first planks in the previous two rows. For an example, let's say your room is 15 long by 20 wide. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. How to Stagger Wood Floor Planks - Flooring-Experts.com Start by measuring the length of the room divided by the length of luxury vinyl planks. Yes, you have to stagger vinyl plank flooring. (14 Simple Ways), Prepare the room by removing baseboards and other casing flanking the walls. Rebecca Mecomber, a former radio broadcaster, has been a professional blogger and writer since 2006. 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. How to Stagger Laminate Flooring - Details Process - Toolsadvisorpro Yes, you have to stagger vinyl plank flooring. Keep the offcuts and use them to start subsequent rows. Lay a piece of vinyl flooring against the door casing. Take a measurement across the room where you will be installing the plank flooring to determine the length of the flooring. Happy flooring! Additionally, you will be able to estimate the correct size of the planks in the start and last rows using this calculationboth of these planks must be the same size in order to create a suitable staggered pattern. Would the joints occur as randomly placed? Vinyl planks come in the same size, which can make it challenging to stagger the pieces. As you install the vinyl planks, be sure to leave a -inch space between the walls. How to Stagger Floating Floors | Hunker Repeat this process until the entire room is covered. It is much easier to install than hardwood flooring and requires no special tools. 2 wide start/end rows?!! However, racking a vinyl floor is entirely possible with a bit of planning and forethought. You will want to keep things simple and continue to follow the rule of thumb where there is an 8 stagger between the planks.