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How to Lay LVT Flooring

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LVT flooring is a really nice way to refresh your home with something that looks good, feels high quality and is practical enough for everyday life. There are plenty of colours, wood effects and patterns to choose from, so it is easy to find a style that works with the rest of your room and the look you have in mind.

What is nice about LVT is that the benefits do not stop once you have picked the design. It is straightforward to fit yourself, easy to look after once it is down and built to cope well with regular use. Depending on the range, you can also choose from waterproof or water-resistant options, giving you more flexibility when it comes to where the flooring can be used.

Before you start fitting, the main thing is to check exactly which LVT range you have, as the click system and fitting requirements can vary. This guide covers what you need to know before you begin and helps you find the right fitting instructions for your floor.
Is All LVT Flooring Installed The Same Way?
No. A lot of our LVT ranges look very similar, and they all use click-fitting systems, but the systems themselves can work a little differently. This means the way you fit one floor might not be quite the same as another.

Some boards click into place quite simply by hand, while others may need a tapping block or rubber mallet to help the joints sit properly. The click system also depends on the range, with SPC flooring and real wood veneer using i4F, and Pronto LVT using either 2G or 5Gi.

The layout can change things too. Herringbone LVT follows a different fitting sequence to straight plank flooring, and some ranges use separate A and B boards that need to be laid in the right order to create the pattern correctly.

So even if two floors look almost identical in the pack, it is still worth checking the fitting guide for the exact range you have chosen before you start. That way, you know how the boards are meant to fit together and which tools you will actually need.
Which LVT Fitting Guide Do You Need?
The easiest place to start is with the exact product you have chosen, as that will tell you which range and fitting system you are working with. You can usually find this on the product page, packaging or order details.

From there, you just need to make sure the fitting guide matches the floor in front of you. SPC and real wood veneer use the i4F system, while Pronto LVT uses either 2G or 5Gi depending on the product. Herringbone needs its own guidance too, as the laying sequence is different to straight plank flooring.

The fitting guide is where you will find the details that can vary from one range to another, including acclimatisation, expansion gaps, cutting and how the boards are meant to lock together.

You can use the guides below to go straight to the right instructions for your floor:


It is worth checking the right one before you start, even if you have fitted LVT before, as the floor you have now may not go together in quite the same way as the last one.
What Tools Do You Need To Lay LVT Flooring?
The tools you need can vary slightly depending on the LVT range and fitting method, but there is nothing too specialist involved, which is one of the reasons it can be a good DIY flooring option.

For most click-fit LVT installations, you will usually need:

The exact tool list can change depending on the floor, especially when it comes to cutting and clicking the boards together. Some ranges can be fitted mainly by hand, while others may need a tapping block, rubber mallet or suitable saw, so it is worth checking the fitting guide for your chosen floor before you start.
What Should You Check Before Fitting LVT?
Before any flooring goes down, it is worth spending a bit of time on the surface underneath. The substrate needs to be dry, clean, stable and level enough for the boards to sit properly once they are clicked together.

Things like dips, raised areas, loose floorboards, old adhesive or debris can all get in the way, and moisture needs checking too, especially over concrete, screed, timber or floors with underfloor heating.

The exact tolerances and moisture limits can vary depending on the LVT range, so this is one area where it is better to use the more detailed guidance rather than rely on one set of figures for every floor.

For a full breakdown, including concrete, screed and timber preparation, you can read our How to Prepare a Substrate for LVT Flooring guide.
What LVT Installation Details Can Vary?
Do You Need Underlay Under LVT Flooring?
Not with our current LVT ranges, as the underlay is already built into the bottom of the boards.

That means there is no separate layer to buy or fit underneath, and adding another one can actually cause problems. Too much cushioning under a floating floor can allow extra movement, which may put more strain on the click joints once the floor is in use.
Does LVT Flooring Need To Acclimatise?
Yes, although the amount of time can vary depending on the range.

Keep the packs flat in the room where the flooring will be fitted and store them as instructed while they adjust to the temperature and conditions. This gives the boards time to settle before they are locked together.

The exact acclimatisation period will be in the fitting guide, so it is worth checking this before the day you plan to start. If the packs have come in from a much colder or warmer environment, giving them the proper time in the room becomes even more important.
How Much Expansion Gap Does LVT Need?
LVT is laid as a floating floor, so it needs space around the perimeter and around fixed features to move naturally once it is fitted. If there is not enough room, the floor can come under pressure as it responds to changes in temperature and conditions, which can lead to boards lifting, joints being pushed together or parts of the floor sitting unevenly.

The size of the gap can vary between ranges and may also change where underfloor heating is involved, so use the measurement in the fitting guide for your floor rather than assuming it will be the same as another LVT product.

Once everything is finished, the gap can be covered neatly with skirting, scotia or a suitable trim.
How Do You Cut LVT Flooring?
The cutting method can vary depending on the LVT range, so it is worth checking the fitting guide before you start. Some LVT can be scored with a utility knife and snapped along the cut line, while SPC and real wood veneer may need a suitable saw depending on the product and the type of cut.

Around door frames, pipes and corners, take a little more time with the measuring so the board sits neatly once it is in place. Using the right tool matters too, as the wrong cutting method can leave a rough edge or damage the surface.

The different cutting methods are covered in more detail in our fitting guides, which also include fitting videos, so have a look through the correct guide before you begin.
What About Underfloor Heating, Wet Areas and Fixed Furniture?

These are all worth checking before fitting starts, as the requirements can change depending on the LVT range.


Underfloor heating can affect moisture limits and expansion requirements, and for our LVT the floor surface should not exceed 27°C. Wet areas also need to be checked against the exact product, as waterproof performance and room suitability can vary between ranges.


Kitchen units, islands and other fixed features matter too, because LVT is fitted as a floating floor and still needs room to move as intended.


The fitting guide for your chosen floor covers the exact requirements for each of these, so it is worth checking that before installation begins.

What Should You Plan Before You Start Fitting?

Once the floor, substrate and fitting method are sorted, it is worth spending a bit of time on the layout before you start clicking boards together.


Think about which way the boards will run, where the first and final rows are likely to fall and what happens around doorways or other awkward areas. With plank flooring, that usually means thinking about the direction and how the joints will be staggered so the finished floor looks balanced across the room.


Herringbone needs a little more planning because the pattern follows a set sequence, and some ranges use A and B boards that need to be identified before you begin.


It is also worth having your trims, door bars, skirting boards and other finishing pieces in mind at this stage, especially where the flooring meets another room or a different floor level. Getting those details sorted early usually makes the final stages much easier.

When you’re ready to get started, browse our range of LVT flooring and find a style that works for your home. Once your new floor is down, you can also read our guide on how to clean and care for LVT flooring to help keep it looking good over time.
How to Lay LVT Flooring