How to Install Vinyl Sheet Flooring That's Loose-Lay in Hours

New flooring doesn't get easier than this. Check out the benefits of loose-lay sheet vinyl flooring and why it may be right for your home.

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Project Overview
  • Total Time: 3 hours
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $1 to $3 per sq. ft.

If you're looking into how to install vinyl sheet flooring to replace an existing floor in your home, loose-lay may be a good choice. Loose-lay sheet vinyl flooring is unique because it doesn't require adhesive. Once you cut it to size and put it in place, it's installed. It's an ideal solution for covering surfaces such as painted concrete, which adhesives don't adhere to well. You can also roll it up and move it—something you might want to do if the washing machine overflows, for example.

Sheet vinyl flooring has a heavy fiberglass backing, allowing the sheet to lay flat on the floor without glue. You can purchase it at most home centers and flooring stores. Standard sheet vinyl isn't heavy enough to be installed in this fashion—it will slip and curl over time.

A tip for how to install vinyl sheet flooring like this product is to secure the material with double-sided tape at the doorways to prevent it from curling up in high-traffic areas. Before installing this or any floor covering, ensure the subfloor is clean, dry, and smooth.

The ease of this flooring option makes it a popular choice among homeowners. We've got the tips and tricks you should know if you plan to use loose-lay sheet vinyl flooring in your home.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Scissors
  • Utility knife
  • Push broom

Materials

  • Butcher paper or kraft paper
  • Masking tape
  • Duct tape
  • Loose-lay vinyl tape
  • Loose-lay vinyl sheet

Instructions

How to Install Vinyl Sheet Flooring That's Loose-Lay

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    Make Template and Cut

    Lay out and cut a template just as you would for standard sheet vinyl. When planning how to install vinyl sheet flooring like this, loose-lay may require a slightly different size expansion gap, so read the manufacturer's directions carefully. Spread out the vinyl on a clean floor larger than the template, tape the template to it, and cut the vinyl to shape.

    Like other forms of vinyl, the material is resilient—it springs back when you push on it and conforms to the surface where it's installed. However, if there are bumps of glue, popped-up nails, or uneven bits of concrete on the subfloor, the vinyl will flow over the spot and create a slightly elevated area, which you'll eventually wear through as you walk on it. To ensure a smooth application, clean and sand the subfloor so no imperfections will show through the vinyl.

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    Place Tape for Edges

    To prevent curling, use double-sided tape for loose-lay sheet vinyl flooring to secure it at thresholds and under appliances and fixtures. Cut the tape to the correct length, remove the protective paper from the side you're adhering to the subfloor, and press the tape in place.

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    Roll Out Loose-Lay Sheet Vinyl Flooring

    Roll up the flooring and bring it to where you're installing it. Unroll it. Using a clean push broom, smooth the flooring in place. If the floor has a seam, roll back the connecting pieces and apply double-sided tape to the subfloor along the entire length of the seam.

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    Adhere Flooring

    Working at one taped area at a time, roll back the vinyl so you can see the double-sided tape. Remove the tape's protective backing, roll the vinyl back over it, and press the flooring in place. Repeat this procedure for each of the taped areas.

Flooring Info and Care Tips

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