Today I’m going to show you how to install vinyl sheet flooring – and talk about why we love our vinyl floors!
The other day I watched a renovation program about a couple who won a weekend kitchen makeover and the pros installed the new flooring on top of ratty vinyl flooring. The host said they were using the old flooring in lieu of installing a new vapor barrier. I think it was just to save time and effort. I’m no pro, so the following is based on my personal experience and irrational bias: installing new flooring over existing vinyl grosses me out. While I was thinking about vinyl flooring, I realized not a lot of people talk about it. People tend to blog about installing expensive tile or vinyl plank, but never good ole sheet vinyl. Vinyl flooring, especially sheet vinyl flooring, is relegated to the cheap and ugly DIY category – and unjustly so! Here are my reasons for loving vinyl flooring in our bathroom and some installation tips that might make life easier, should you want to learn how to install vinyl sheet flooring.
Why I love our vinyl sheet floors:
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Super affordable
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Super easy to install and fit
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Super durable and kid friendly (ceramic tile & stone can chip – trust me)
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Embarrassingly easy to clean, partly because there’s no grout!
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Ours is textured so it’s no-slip
- Variety of colors and styles (I think ours looks great)
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All in all, a great choice for our bathroom
How to install vinyl sheet flooring:
Step 1:
Remove old flooring, but if the old flooring was glued down then wait to remove until you’re ready to install. My grandpa tried to remove the old flooring early in the game but the floor was sticky, so we halted removal until the tub and tiling was done and we were ready for flooring. Tip: we tossed on some saw dust and then swept it away – it helped deal with the tackiness.
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| Before |
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| The removal process |
There was no way I was installing flooring over this old stuff – the smell alone was foul.
Step 2:
Make sure the floor is level, even and clear of debris. Any lumps and bumps will be felt through the vinyl sheet flooring. We found it easiest to install when the tub was in, but the other elements were not. Remove your baseboards & toilet for easier removal of old tile and a more polished finished product.
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| My grandpa, hard at work removing the old flooring |
Step 3:
Dry fit and cut flooring to size – marking and cutting holes for the toilet drain, etc.
Step 4:
Working in sections, apply the contact cement (designed for vinyl flooring, talk to store rep from where you bought your flooring for a recommendation on the right kind) with a toothed trowel. Wait as per instructions for adhesive to get tacky.
Handy Hubby is just the cutest. Probably glad I picked such a cheap and easy flooring option to install, haha!
Step 5:
Lay down half your flooring and roll out bubbles, working from the middle out.
Step 6:
Repeat for other remaining section. Roll out again – you want a nice smooth surface.
Step 7:
After waiting the appropriate dry time (as per manufacturer’s instructions), you can install your baseboards and transitions.
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| All installed, with the baseboards, vanity & toilet in place |
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| After |
Make sure you get the right transition. There are different kinds of transitions, for different applications. We accidentally bought a reducer, when what we needed was a threshold. Back to the store we went . . .
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| Source |
But now the transition from our new hardwood floors to the bathroom floor is perfect:
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| Ah, the right transition . . . |
That’s how to install vinyl sheet flooring. If you don’t like vinyl, there is also more natural linoleum. Linoleum is made from linseed oil & flax seeds and can last 50 yrs., while vinyl flooring is a petroleum oil product. We chose vinyl because I looked through samples and this is the one I liked best, and it happened to be vinyl. In my opinion, with vinyl or linoleum flooring, it is best not to pick something only because it is trendy or sorta looks almost like something else (like a faux hardwood print). Pick it because you like the pattern/design.
P.S. Click here & here for more bathroom pictures.
I like vinyl and linoleum too. My daughter and SIL debated over very mid-century industrial-looking linoleum and tile for their kitchen redo and finally chose the tile, and now they're kicking themselves. The linoleum would have lasted forever and would have been more true to the period. And their very expensive tile is already cracked.The only reason I can think of for laying new flooring over existing flooring is because of asbestos. I don't know about everywhere else, but in Texas you are prohibited from removing tile from houses old enough to have been built with tile containing asbestos, unless you have a licensed examiner check the existing tile.
that looks great! if you ever need help taking up vinyl tiles, call my dogs. they are EXCELLENT at it. they'll find even the most seamless corner and pull it right up!
Ah, see, now that vinyl looks GOOD! As opposed to the tacky stuff you usually see. Your's looks like real grey tiles or slate even. Gorgeous!
Looks great – it works perfectly with the rest of the design elements!
Great tutorial. I'm with you all the way. No more tile for me and no more grout. Your floors look great! What a cool Grandpa you have.
The floors are beautiful. Oh and where did you get your shower curtain?
Thanks to everyone for the positive feedback! Ashly: the shower curtain in Marimekko! My post about tree bedding withdrawal also features the Marimekko bedding and dress in the same print.
I'd love to have your tile…and borrow your grandpa for a few weeks. 🙂
You know what Dana? My grandpa would totally go to another country to help someone with their house. Anything to get out of his own house! Lol.
I see you mentioned that you took the old tile out too early and everything was sticky. I’ve run into the same problem but I was unsure if I have to complete clean/remote the old glue before laying down the new flooring? Please let me know how you resolved this problem! Thank you, very helpful post 🙂
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We scraped off what we could and focused on creating a smooth, even surface, but we did not remove 100% of the old glue. The main issue for us was that any little bump and lump could be felt through the new flooring so it had to be really smooth. If your old glue has left any type of texture it could impact how the new flooring feels underfoot. If you do want or need to remove it, a heat gun can help soften it so you can scrape it away. There are also solvents for the removal as well.