As a result, the best option is to go with the staggered approach. Ideally, the final board should not have even the slightest stripe running through it, but instead should be a solid strip of wood. ft. Divide the distance across the room by the plank's width, making sure to include a -inch gap on either side of the floor to allow for expansion. x 60 in. The simplest way to achieve the best results is to stagger the joints in thirds. If the boxes contain planks from different runs of the flooring, and likely they are, they might have slight color differences. If it is less than 6 inches, cut off enough from the first plank of the row so that the last piece is longer than 6 inches, the minimum needed for structural strength. What is LVT? When laying subsequent rows, be sure to match the pattern of the first row as closely as possible. How to Determin Which Direction Install Vinyl Plank Flooring? The tapping block will help prevent damage to the planks, while the rubber mallet will provide enough force to securely attach the planks. (Tips And Tricks), Can You Tile Over Linoleum? That is all there is to it when it comes to staggering vinyl floor planking. Create a pattern before installing the LifeProof vinyl flooring to give you an idea of how you want the floor to appear. This isn't the only way to create a random flooring stagger pattern, though, and it may need modifications when something, such as a cabinet, is in the way. Racking the planks also improves the floors aesthetic appeal. Now, let's answer the most crucial question: How do you stagger laminate flooring? That will give you a more natural look at the floor. Divide 1.667 by 2, which equals 0.833. 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. Laminate flooring planks are like puzzle pieces. 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. To prevent the tool from moving, firmly press it on the floor. The capacity to resist moisture and the versatility of its appearance has made it a more and more popular flooring material over the last few years. In terms of aesthetics, staggering the end joints avoids creating lines that run perpendicular to the direction of the floor. The floors snap together with the tongue and grooves. If the flooring comes up easily, you'll need to reduce the . Because of this, many people ask themselves, How do I stagger vinyl plank flooring?. A utility knife can also be used in a pinch. If necessary, use a saw or a utility knife to trim any planks that are not fitting properly. Then, using a utility knife, trim the tongue from the meat. Keep in mind that if you are installing a floating floor, this may hide a slightly uneven subfloor. Hence the question: How do I stagger vinyl plank flooring?. The rule of thumb is to maintain an 8 stagger when it comes to the setup. Continue with this pattern until you fill-up the entire room with the vinyl plank flooring. 1. Laminate planks that are designed to float have a locking system similar to the tongues and grooves on hardwood boards. This will tell you how many rows of planks youll need to finish the room and how long it will take. After a few rows, you should get the hang of it. Its not just the LVT staggered pattern that counts. ), Carpet shears, also known as carpet snips. Also, remember that even as you space out your planks for proper . However, racking a vinyl floor is entirely possible with a bit of planning and forethought. How to Stagger Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring. Make sure to change your utility knife blade if it becomes dull. What does Staggered Vinyl Flooring Installation Means? How To Install Vinyl Plank Flooring On Concrete (Step-By-Step Tutorial) Home; Products . For example, if your room measures 123 in., and your flooring is 5.75 in. Using this calculation, you will also determine the correct size of the planks in the first and last rowsthese need to be the same size for a proper staggering pattern. Before laying your first row - be sure to measure the width of the room in planks. Lay at least one more full-width plank in this second row. If you divide the room width by the width of your plank and have a remainder (4 in your example), add it to the width of your plank (5 in your example) then, divide THAT number in half (5+4=9, divided by 2 = 4.5 inches. The only thing left after removing the carpet and pad are tack strips and probably some staples that were used to keep down the carpet pad in place. 3-section vinyl roller. Be aware of any potential dangers when installing vinyl plank flooring. This is especially important on the first 2-3 . ], How Long Does Pressure Treated Wood Last? A homeowner can easily install a resilient plank floor in a weekend. Staggering is all about spacing the planks correctly. Cut with a multi-tool or door jamb saw and remove the waste. Also, study the installation instructions included with the flooring. Ensure that your planks are stored in the room where they are to be installed for at least 48 hours before installing them. 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. Don't forget to mark the expansion gap for the sides & every row. This is an excellent way to uplift your floors without breaking the bank. There has to be a bit of leeway and that is why the staggered design works. 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. Staggering a wooden plank floor makes it look more polished and professionally done. John Raisor is a former carpenter and current creative and copywriter. 10. [Answered!! I prefer having eight or nine repeating patters for bigger rooms but most product manufacturers dont accommodate that kind of discernment. You're still using 1 plank per row. But you can use it to start the next row and that's the key to staggering with a minimum of waste. It is something you are going to appreciate due to how the lines sit on the flooring. Then full , halves, then 3/4 and 1/4. Using a tape measure, measure the width and length of each wall in the room where you intend to lay the vinyl plank flooring. Vinyl flooring designs support this method. You should be following this step precisely as it will help to give the floor a . Lay the plank down, making sure that the end of the plank is at least 6 inches away from the closest joint in the first row. Staggering planks of different shades are made more accessible by mixing up the boards for a more natural look. A coinciding joint separated by two planks is not quite as noticeable, but it should also be avoided. 5. Last update on 2023-02-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Divide this number by the length of a full plank. Cut your starter, so it is at least 2" longer or shorter than your previous two starting pieces. The straight tile pattern is not the best for extremely narrow kitchens. Shop Stock House Laminate SPC Flooring. When racking or staggering planks, you want to lay down the pieces as randomly as possible to avoid the formation of step patterns and H-joints. ), Can You Mix Stain With Polyurethane? The key to properly staggering vinyl flooring is to ensure that the first plank in every third row is at least two-three inches longer or shorter than the first planks in the two rows. This does matter to those who want to keep the floor in pristine condition year-round. Failure to properly acclimatize the planks to the surrounding environment may result in warping or buckling of the planks after they have been installed. This will create a staggered pattern that looks natural. How To Perfectly Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring. 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. 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. 4.When you unbox your vinyl, mix up all of the planks from various boxes. A homeowner can easily install a resilient plank floor on the weekend. Staggered joints are essential for a smooth appearance. That's the general idea. Pick up the plank and slowly break the plank apart at the score line. You will find a list of the tools and supplies you will need for this process, as well as the typical pricing for each item, in the section below. The pattern occurs when the spacing on the first and second row is repeated on the third row. The planks will require some time to acclimate to the humidity and temperature of the environment. . ], How to Install Glue Down Vinyl Plank Flooring [Step-by-Step Guide], How to Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring [Answered!! 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? L Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Plank Click Lock Flooring (23.88 sq.ft./case) French Oak Maywood 9.13 in. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you do this incorrectly, your floor will appear to have been built by a novice. ), Best Deck Paint For Old Wood (Top Picks! Below, you will see what tools and supplies you will need for this process as well as the typical prices for each item. Contact; No Result . Without mixing them, all of the same shades and patterns will be laid together and it will be noticeable. When you cut the end off a plank to fit it into the end of a row, you can't use the cutoff in the middle of the row. Depending on how wide the planks are, you can increase the minimum to 8 or 10 inches.. Personally I would stagger them. As well as demonstrating how to properly stagger your vinyl flooring, we will also walk you through the process step by step. Both are equally important. Remove the boards to use the pattern as you lay down the flooring. Thats all there is to staggering vinyl floor planking. Contact us now so that we can start brainstorming! 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. First, measure the length of the room and divide that by the length of a board. Then, measure the width of the room divided by the width of the planks. If you have to cut the planks, utilize a straight edge and a utility knife to score them before snapping them if you require to cut planks. Structurally, adjacent end joints that coincide or occur close to each other are more likely to separate. That is a general concept. Open the windows to allow fresh air to circulate and reduce the stink. Organize the boards from each box so that they form a random pattern before you begin installing them. 15. Staggering the planks will help stabilize the flooring and ensure the wood does not crack due to natural expansion from moisture. 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. But that's provided you follow basic laminate installation guidelines. In practice, a minimum spacing of 6 inches works well for 5-inch laminate planks. Youre probably wondering how to stagger vinyl plank flooring for outstanding results if you install it. Using this calculation, you will also determine the correct size of . Retired guy from Southern Manitoba, Canada. If you want to make this operation go more quickly, cut the carpet into shorter strips that will be easier to manage with your utility knife. Install one plank at a time after the first one is down, continuing until you have covered the entire length of the wall with planks. If after a few rows you run out of cutoffs, eye the previous two rows and cut the next rows first plank so that the seams wont be too close together. Racking the floor to create a random stagger pattern serves two purposes: one that is aesthetic and the other, structural. However, you do not want to have the floor bearing erroneous patterns or one that gives amateurish vibes. Start with a full, then halves, then 1/4 and 3/4. With this in mind, you will want to ask, do you have to stagger vinyl plank flooring? (Easy Step-By-Step Guide), Types Of Basement Floor Drains (A Complete Guide For You). 9. Keep the offcuts and use them to begin the next row of stitches. Start the fourth row with the offcut from the second row. In the case of a first-row plank end joint that corresponds with an end joint in the third-row planks, this is known as an H-joint. Although this may seem to offer less stability, it actually doesn't given the flooring is properly installed. Off-gassing is the term used to describe the chemical odor that vinyl planks emit for a few hours or days after installation. Tools and Supplies You Will Need to Stagger Vinyl Floor, Prep Steps to Prepare for Staggering Flooring Planks, Steps for Staggering Vinyl Plank Flooring, How to Fix Frigidaire Dehumidifier FO Code Error? When it comes to the pros of staggering vinyl plank flooring, the main benefit has to do with the increased stability under your feet. This will help create a consistent and cohesive look for the floor. Lay a full plank to begin row one. Allow a minimum of 48 hours before installing the planks inside your room. Then slowly fold down the cut-out plank until it locks into place with the adjoining plank. This tends to go hand-in-hand with the idea of a staggered design being more long-lasting. My room is 116in. Then start dividing the planks width by the rooms distance, allowing a 14-inch gap on each floor side for expansion. If you need further assistance installing your vinyl plank flooring, contact Flooring Masters & Professional Remodelers. The packaging paper protects the adhesive strips and prevents the strips from collecting dust and dirt as you work. Above all, a kitchen will have cabinets and appliance . Staggering Vinyl plank flooring is an excellent method to spruce up your floors without breaking the budget. The rows of laminate While it is possible to install vinyl flooring directly on top of tile or sheet vinyl, it is necessary to remove the carpeting before putting vinyl. Use a saw and carefully trim the planks to size. A staggered flooring looks like the planks are just flowing from one row to the next. The tack strips will be easy to remove with a pry bar, but the staples will require the use of pliers to pull up. Car Wrap Vinyl. 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? Do you cut the tongue off the first row of laminate? The information contained on whatisvinyl.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. There should be a gap of roughly 1/8 inch around the edge of the room to accommodate this. How to Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring? The tapping block will help prevent damage to the planks, while the rubber mallet will provide enough force to securely attach the planks. But eyeball the first piece of each new row. Cutting down the boards for your first row may be necessary in order to have at least a half-width plank for your last row. When you reach the end of the second row, you can cut the plank to make it fit the remaining space. One Way Vision. What is the one thing you are going to want to think about when it is time to set up vinyl plank flooring at home? Read our Terms of Use and Disclosures page for more information. This type of stagger will lock the flooring tightly together. Add one extra full-width plank to the first row. Repeat steps #2-3 to complete row four. We work closely with qualified flooring contractors throughout the USA to provide installation and repair services for home flooring products. Wear protective gear, such as goggles and gloves, to prevent injury. Roll back the vinyl sheet from the edge and line the perimeter using double sided vinyl tape. Both are equally important. When you reach the edges of the room, you may need to cut the planks to fit around obstacles such as doorways or cabinets. Change the utility knife blades frequently. Mixing them will avoid having all lighter Chestnut Brown on one side and noticeably darker Chestnut Brown on the other. 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. Design Apartments; Design Styles; Room. Make sure to follow the manufacturers instructions carefully to avoid any accidents.