How to lay LVT flooring

Fitting LVT flooring is a great way to refresh your home and add a sense of timelessness to any space. Not only does it look fantastic, but LVT is also durable and practical, making it a perfect choice for calm and busy households alike. And the best part? You can install it yourself without needing to rely on professionals. Read our guide for top tips on laying LVT flooring like a pro.

Different types of vinyl require different fitting methods and therefore a variety of tools to suit the installation method however, no specialist tools are required for the job making it ideal for the avid DIYer. To install our click LVT flooring, you need the following tools:

Spacers and wedges | A leveller | An installation kit | A pencil | A t-square | A tape measure | A utility knife

LVT flooring can shrink or expand with temperature changes, so it’s important to acclimatise the planks or tiles for up to 72 hours before installation. The exact amount of time needed for acclimatisation may vary, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidance.

This is done by laying the packs of vinyl flat in the room in which they will be fitted, allowing for air to circulate each of the packs. Each colourway has a unique design that will run over several of the tiles or planks, so it is important to ‘dry’ layout your LVT tiles and planks in your preferred design to achieve the most natural and desired finish.

Once you are happy with your chosen layout, ensure the floor’s surface is completely level, clean and free from any dust or debris. Where necessary, damaged or uneven substrates must be corrected before laying LVT flooring, please seek the manufacturer’s guidance on how to do this.

Using a spirit level or straight edge, check that the floor is level in both directions at random points across the floor. Measure the biggest gap and ensure there is a variation of no bigger than 5mm within a 3m (10ft) area.

To install LVT on a concrete floor, follow these steps for a successful installation:

1. Ensure the floor is clean and free of any dust and debris.

2. Use a spirit level to ensure the substrate is flat and does not deviate more than 3mm over a 1-metre area. Use Ultra Level IT Two Levelling Compound to fix any deviations or overboard the substrate with a suitable board such as Hardiebacker or Wedi

3. Check the moisture levels of the concrete flooring to ensure it is less than 3%.

4. LVT must be left to acclimatise in the room it is being fitted for at least 48 hours at a temperature between 18 and 25°C.

5. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you are installing LVT on a wooden floor, follow the steps below to ensure smooth installation:

1. Ensure the floor is clean and free of any dust free with any protruding screws or nails removed or hammered flush with the floor.

2. Use a spirit level to ensure the substrate is flat and does not deviate more than 3mm over a 1-metre area. Use Ultra Level IT Two Levelling Compound to fix any deviations or overboard the substrate with a suitable board such as Hardiebacker or Wedi

3. LVT must be left to acclimatise in the room it is being fitted for at least 48 hours at a temperature between 18 and 25°C.

4. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions.

Many LVT flooring options come with an integrated underlay. If your chosen product includes this integrated underlay, do not add any extra underlay or matting underneath, as it can create additional flex when walking on the LVT. This extra movement can put stress on the joints and potentially damage the click system.

If your LVT flooring does not have an integrated underlay, follow the steps below to properly install an LVT underlay:

1. Unfold the underlay along the length of the room, foil side up. Simply cut the underlay to length using a utility knife.

2. Lay a second row alongside the first row and use a suitable vapour tape to tape along the edges where each row meets.

Since rooms are rarely perfectly square, our top tip for laying LVT flooring is to plan your layout in advance. This will help you identify where to make cuts, giving you a clearer sense of how the final floor will look. Proper planning also allows you to position cuts away from noticeable areas like door frames, resulting in a more professional finish.

Expansion gaps when planning, remember to account for the necessary expansion gaps and joints around the room. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s specifications for the required gap width.

Which direction to lay LVT For the best results, lay your LVT flooring either in the direction of the room’s main light source (such as a window) or along its longest edge.

If, after dry laying your LVT flooring, you find that you need to cut your tiles, firmly score the vinyl using a utility knife. Make sure to score through all layers of the plank or tile to ensure a clean split. You may need to score the plank or tile 2 to 3 times.

Top tip: To snap the vinyl plank cleanly, line the scored edge along the edge of a table and apply pressure. This will help the plank break along the scored line.

After snapping the main core of the vinyl, you might need to cut through the reverse underlay layer. This can be done with a utility knife.

Now the preparation is done, you can start laying your LVT flooring. See our fitting guides below for the specific instructions for each of our luxury vinyl tile ranges: Herringbone 2G Click LVT 2G Click LVT 5G Click LVT

Install LVT around cupboards, not beneath them When installing click-lock LVT flooring in a kitchen, you should not install the flooring underneath the cabinets. Instead, cut the flooring to fit around the built-in cupboards. This is an important step because the flooring is a floating subfloor connected only by the locking system, so it needs space to expand and contract with temperature changes.

Don’t install heavy appliances on LVT Heavy appliances like fridges and washing machines should not be installed on top of (or through) LVT flooring. The weight of these appliances will restrict the flooring and not allow it to expand or contract with temperature changes.

Do not use LVT to waterproof a room In bathrooms, LVT flooring has a 100% waterproof core, making it suitable for use in wet areas without getting damaged. However, LVT does not create a waterproof seal, so, it should not be used to waterproof a room or be used in a wet room.

Vinyl tiles can be used in conjunction with water-fed underfloor heating systems. However, as underfloor heating causes dramatic temperature changes it is essential to use expansion gaps around the perimeter of a room to allow the flooring to shrink and expand. Refer to the manufacturer’s guidance on the right expansion gap needed when using underfloor heating.

When you’re ready to start your next project, why not browse our range of LVT to see what we have to offer?