Since vinyl plank flooring looks like real wood, it’s a popular choice for homeowners.
It comes in a variety of finishes, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. Coloration, too, is easy to customize.
You can paint it any color you want or keep it natural-looking and stained. So, how do you stagger vinyl plank flooring?
Vinyl plank flooring is popular because it’s affordable and durable. However, vinyl plank flooring can’t be installed in a single row.
Instead, it has to be staggered. Here are some tips for installing vinyl plank flooring in staggered rows:
First, measure the length and width of the room. Then, use the grid method to determine where you want your vinyl planks to be.
The grid method involves drawing lines across the room using a measuring tape and patience.
Then, measure the distance between each grid line. Finally, use the grid method to determine where each vinyl plank should go.
Second, measure the vinyl planks and the room’s surface area.
Then, use the floor calculator to determine how many vinyl planks you need.
Finally, measure the room’s surface area again and subtract the number of vinyl planks you need to determine how many vinyl planks to cut off.
Third, cut the vinyl planks to size.
Then, lay the vinyl planks down on top of the subfloor. Finally, use long boards to lay out the rest of the vinyl planks.
Contents
Do You Have To Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Yes, vinyl plank floors must be staggered to prevent buckling in the floor over time.
Staggering the planks will assist in supporting any expansion from humidity or temperature change as well as prevent one board from warping and twisting more than the others—therefore making the room look less uniform.
Make no compromises on this, since you may have to replace the entire floor if the boards are not properly aligned during installation.
When it comes to setup, the sturdiness of your deck depends mostly on how the deck is assembled.
This guarantees that the planks are properly aligned and sealed against each other to produce the best finish possible for your home.
Benefits Of Staggering Vinyl Plank Flooring
Improves Durability
You’ll want to make the most out of your investment, so you’d better make sure that the vinyl flooring will last for a long time in your home.
Nothing is more frustrating than having to cope with a ruined floor just because your contractor didn’t follow proper installation procedures or you didn’t research enough about what to buy in the first place.
This might happen depending on several factors, such as temperature fluctuations, humidity levels, and other external conditions that may cause expansion and contraction of the vinyl flooring over time.
Because vinyl is what it is, it needs to be handled and put in place with care to keep as much of its original quality as possible.
There must be some wiggle room in the installation process or else it may result in warping of the floor and uneven finishing of the floor itself.
Easier to Maintain
If you want to put vinyl plank flooring in your home, you should think about the benefits of having a professional do it.
Not only will you get professional work, but you can also be sure that the right tools and materials are being used for the installation.
Nothing is worse than walking on flooring that feels as if it is sticky or slimy on your feet–this usually happens when the surface is not properly maintained on a regular basis or when there’s too much debris and dirt accumulated on the floor.
This is common when the surface of the vinyl flooring is not properly cleaned from time to time, causing scratches and other damage to the surface of the flooring.
As a consequence, the maintenance process becomes more challenging and the vinyl flooring will have to be replaced sooner than expected. This can be avoided with proper care and maintenance of your flooring.
According to studies on the installation of vinyl planks, professionals claim that using the right tools and techniques ensures that the planks will be laid down evenly, which will result in a flat and even finish on the floor itself.
Aesthetically Pleasing
While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind during the installation process, you may still want to consider the aesthetic appeal of your home and how your choice of floor will fit into the overall theme and design of the house itself.
A staggered design adds character and style to your home’s interior, so you might as well consider using it to complement the look of your home instead of going with the standard look of a straight-cut pattern.
It is something you will love looking at every day, adding style and character to your home for years to come.
You’ll love how it expands and contracts depending on the temperatures and humidity levels in your home.
Straight lines don’t work so well in homes and offices with curves and corners; that’s why you may want to consider having a custom-cut pattern for your vinyl plank floors.
Improved Stability
When it comes to the benefits of vinyl plank floors with staggered patterns, the most obvious benefit is that the design makes the whole floor system more stable.
Because the flooring will be subjected to frequent weight, heavy traffic, and heavy objects such as furniture placed on top of it, the floor needs to be able to support the weight and maintain its structural integrity even after years of use.
The staggered shape ensures that there is better weight distribution and your floor will last longer as a result.
Not only will this improve the stability and lifespan of your floor, but it will also make it more aesthetically pleasing to look at compared to a straight-lined pattern that will look out of place in your home.
This is because the planks are laid in a random fashion, so the pattern won’t look uniform across the entire area.
Tools And Supplies You Will Need
- Calculator
- Straight edge
- Utility knife or heavy-duty scissors
- Tape measure
How to Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring
Remove Old Flooring
Old flooring can degrade over time and become an eyesore in your living space.
It can also harbor harmful allergens and bacteria, such as mold and dust mites, that shouldn’t be in your home.
For these reasons, it’s important to remove old flooring and replace it with new flooring that’s better for your health and more attractive to look at.
Prepare The Planks
This paragraph explains how to prepare the floor for the vinyl planks.
First, you should remove all the furniture from the room where the vinyl planks will be installed. The furniture should be removed because furniture will damage the vinyl planks.
Next, you should remove all the carpets in the room. Carpets should be removed because they will damage the vinyl planks.
Then, you should remove all the baseboards in the room. Baseboards should be removed because baseboards will damage the vinyl planks.
Finally, you should remove all the dirt and grime from the floor with a vacuum cleaner. Vacuuming the floor will remove the dirt and grime that can damage the vinyl planks.
Ensure Proper Alignment
Vinyl plank flooring is an excellent way to update your home’s floors.
It’s durable, easy to clean, and attractive. However, vinyl plank flooring is only as good as its installation.
To ensure proper alignment, it’s important to stagger the planks. Staggering requires laying the planks side-by-side instead of end-to-end.
Staggering prevents gaps in the floor and makes the room look bigger and cleaner. It also prevents the planks from cracking.
Hire professionals for the best vinyl plank flooring installation.
Install The First Board
When installing vinyl plank flooring, you should stagger the planks so the joints don’t line up.
When vinyl plank flooring is being put in, it helps to stagger the planks so that the seams are harder to see.
To stagger the planks, simply lay one plank down with the grooved side facing up, and then lay the next plank with the grooved side facing down.
Install Second-Row Planks
Installing second-row planks to stagger vinyl plank flooring creates a multidimensional look that’s great for modern spaces.
It also hides the seams between each plank for a more seamless look. Second-row planks are inexpensive and easy to install.
Start by laying out the first row of planks. Then, snap a chalk line at 6-inch intervals across the room.
Mark the planks that fall between the chalk lines. Next, measure and cut the second-row planks to length with a hand saw.
Finally, make sure they’re level by screwing them down to the subfloor with 4 d finishing nails. Screwing them down will ensure that the planks don’t move once they’re installed.
Also Read: Can You Have No Flooring Under Vanity?
Conclusion
Vinyl plank flooring can be used in many different ways and is easy to put in, so it’s no surprise that it’s becoming more and more popular in homes all over the country.
Unlike hardwood flooring, it is durable and stain-resistant—perfect for active families or busy households with pets and children.
It is long-lasting and durable, making it an excellent long-term investment for your home.
There is a style of vinyl flooring for every homeowner, from rustic reclaimed wood to bright and stylish solid colors.
You may have a floor that appears like it was refinished, but you were able to save a ton of money by installing new vinyl flooring over your existing floor.
