Vinyl plank flooring improves the aesthetics of your space, but improper installation can lead to gaps and other issues over time. Before installation, you should prepare the planks by acclimating them to the environmental conditions. By following standard installation procedures, including sufficient expansion space, you can prevent future damage to your floor.
Keeping your room’s humidity in check helps preserve floor stability, while installing a moisture barrier shields your floors from external conditions. Prepare a flat, dry subfloor and choose a suitable glue for reliable installation. Implementing these fundamental steps protects your floor from future damage. Proper care, protective measures, and appropriate flooring installation methods keep your flooring looking perfect without gaps.
Tips To Prevent Vinyl Plank Flooring Gaps
Taking steps before and after vinyl plank installation helps prevent floor spacing problems. Following these steps will keep your floors strong and beautiful for many years.
Tip Number 1: Acclimate the Planks Before Installation
Before installing them, the vinyl planks must adapt to the room’s humidity and temperature. Your planks need time to adjust to room conditions, to stay in optimal condition, and to prevent future installation problems. Keep the planks in the room for two days to help them match the room’s environment.
Tip Number 2: Follow Correct Installation Guidelines
Good installation methods prevent spacing between layers. You must follow the plank manufacturer’s official installation directions. When installing floating floors, leave the suggested expansion space at room perimeters because vinyl planks expand and contract with temperature changes. To create a solid base for glued-down planks, use a complete coating of adhesive below the surface of each plank.
Tip Number 3: Control Room Humidity
High or low humidity causes vinyl planks to expand and contract, respectively. Maintain 30-50% humidity in your indoor space. During the dry season, use a humidifier to prevent shrinkage, and a dehumidifier at high humidity to prevent excessive expansion. Controlling humidity levels in the environment helps planks stay in place and prevents spacing between them.
Tip Number 4: Install a Moisture Barrier
Before laying vinyl planks on concrete or basement floors, use a water barrier product to shield your flooring from moisture. Concrete subfloors can release moisture, causing vinyl planks to warp or develop gaps. Builders often require a moisture barrier in areas with high humidity, including kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.
Tip Number 5: Prepare A Flat, Dry Surface
To install the floor correctly, you need a smooth, flat, dry subfloor. Test your surface with a leveling tool and fix any uneven areas. Moisture in the floor base weakens glue joints and causes planks to bend out of position. Begin installation after removing subfloor moisture completely.
Tip Number 6: Pick the Right Adhesive
For glued-down vinyl planks, use a high-quality adhesive approved specifically for flooring. Ensure the whole subfloor area gets an even spread of adhesive for strong bonding results. Poorly spread adhesive between planks makes them unstable, leading to gaps. A solid glue connection between the planks holds them in place and prevents them from displacing.
Tip Number 7: Protect From Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight triggers vinyl planks to change size, leading to spacing in your flooring. Use window coverings and blinds to block sun rays from entering your home. This way, you will keep sun exposure to a minimum even during sunny weather. Place furniture or rugs where they block sunlight because direct rays can change the vinyl plank’s shape.
Tip Number 8: Maintain the Floor Regularly
Daily upkeep prevents vinyl plank flooring from getting loose. Clean your floor using a regular brush or vacuum to keep planks in their positions. Keep the floor dry because standing water damages floor edges and creates space between planks. Fast action with cleaning tools stops accumulations from pushing planks away from each other.
Causes for Spacing Between Vinyl Plank Flooring
These are the most common causes for spaces in vinyl plank flooring:
- Improper Acclimation: Vinyl planks installed without giving them time to adapt to the room temperatures will undergo size changes, causing space between planks.
- Incorrect Installation: When you install vinyl planks without the recommended space at their edges, the flooring pieces can move against each other, creating gaps.
- Humidity Fluctuations: When humidity swings high or low, vinyl planks change size, pushing against one another and leading to gaps over time.
- Moisture Issues: Moisture that seeps from the subfloor, particularly in basements and wet spaces, weakens the planks and causes them to separate.
- Uneven Subfloor: When subfloors aren’t exactly level, they move vinyl planks around and create unequal gaps.
- Exposure to Direct Sunlight: When vinyl planks are exposed to direct sunlight, they change size, creating separations between them.
Conclusion
Proper vinyl plank installation, together with floor preparation, helps prevent gaps. Begin by acclimatizing the vinyl planks to room temperature and regularly monitoring room humidity. Placing a moisture-protecting layer prevents water damage, and using a flat, dry subfloor creates a dependable base for installation.
Pick the right adhesive to keep your floor in good condition and prevent gaps in glued-down planks. Protect your flooring from direct sunlight, and follow the correct vinyl flooring installation techniques to prevent gaps.
