Know What To Expect Before Vinyl Installation
770-554-1555
Know What To Expect On Vinyl Installation Day
Possessing a home, it seems, is all about being prepared. Preparing your home for seasonal changes, preparing for guests, and now preparing for the arrival of new vinyl flooring.
Being ready for the installation of your new vinyl flooring will make the entire process go faster, more efficiently, and, hopefully, eradicate any “surprises.”
Tip #1: There’s A Resource For Worry-Free Installation – Professional Installers
Elegant Vinyl Flooring In A Kitchen and Dining Area
Installing a vinyl floor is a complicated, labor-intensive, very exacting process that requires full knowledge of substrates.
We strongly suggest you call upon our reliable and seasoned professionals to install your vinyl flooring. That way, you can be assured of a beautiful, efficient, and correct installation.
However, while installing vinyl flooring is a skill developed through years of experience, your understanding of the basics of installation will increase your knowledge of the process, and enhance your confidence in the professionals working in your home.
Subfloor Preparation Is Step One
As with most flooring products, the first step is to prepare the substrate, the surface on which the vinyl flooring will be laid.
If installing over a wood substrate, an underlayment will generally be necessary.
Installing over a concrete substrate will not require an underlayment but will require some floor preparation.
Can You Install New Vinyl Flooring Over Existing Vinyl Flooring?
In some cases, yes. However, it is strongly suggested that existing flooring be removed to ensure a proper high-quality installation. This is where employing our skilled flooring professionals pays off.
We can determine if your existing vinyl flooring is acceptable or if it will need to be removed.
There are three methods to install vinyl flooring dependent on manufacturer and style: full spread, perimeter adhered, or floating.
Full spread means the adhesive is spread over the entire substrate.
Perimeter adhered is an installation method in which adhesive is only applied to the edge of the flooring and also at the seams.
Floating is a type of installation in which the vinyl floor is not bonded to the substrate by any adhesive.
Your beautiful new vinyl floor will be professionally installed using one of those three methods.
Relocate Your Furniture
All furniture must be removed from the areas to be floored. Before moving, you’ll need to remove breakables and electronics and empty the contents of china cabinets, closets, and the like. Southern Woods can include furniture moving as part of the quote we develop with you.
Be aware that the area of installation must be climate controlled (heated or air-conditioned). Vinyl flooring manufacturers recommend indoor humidity to be maintained between 40% to 50%, and the temperature not to fall below 65 or rise above 100 degrees.
What’s To Be Done With Your Existing Floor Covering?
Please consider how your old floor covering will be taken up and disposed of. This can be a time consuming and messy task. We will be happy to discuss removal options with you.
If you prefer to remove your present floor covering yourself, do it at least one day before installation to allow for cleanup and floor preparation.
Now Turn Your Attention To The Trim
You should know that, in many cases, baseboards and trim need to be removed for vinyl flooring installation. Our installers may do this for an additional charge but will not be responsible for damage or breakage due to dry or brittle wood.
Painted baseboards, woodwork and paint may need retouching after the installation is complete. If necessary, this is your responsibility.
We Can Give Expert Advice On Your Subflooring
Your existing subfloor may need to be prepared to receive the vinyl, or a new subfloor may be required. This is a job best left to the professionals, and, again, we can help you with these decisions.
The subfloor must be clean and level. That ensures your new vinyl flooring will be as beautiful and well supported as possible and ultimately covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
Include A Door Plan In Your Preparation
When vinyl flooring is installed, there’s always the possibility that the doors, especially closet doors, basement and bedroom doors, may not clear the new floor and swing free.
Our installers may need to remove doors to install the vinyl and re-hang them at an additional cost. If there is a clearance issue, you may want to arrange for a qualified carpenter to shave or cut down your door(s) after installing your new vinyl floor.
Don’t Let Cleanup Be A Toss-Up
Installing new vinyl flooring will produce waste. These materials will be collected and disposed of by your installers.
Next we’ll examine what to know and do during installation day.
Installation Day
Be available by phone on the day of installation in case we have questions.
Request a Free Flooring Estimate
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO MEET ONE OF OUR PROFESSIONAL FLOORING EXPERTS IN YOUR HOME
Questions?
We’re Here To Help
Your Family Is Our Concern
Your installers will use a variety of tools and techniques that can make the work area hazardous. Please make sure that your children and pets are kept out of the work area on installation day.
Follow Through With A Walk-Thru
Vinyl Flooring In A Beautiful Modern Bedroom
We recommend that you walk through the job with your installation team before the completion of the installation. This will allow you to ask questions and be clear on any final details.
What to do after installation
Time And Temperature Are Valuable
For a minimum of 24 hours after your new vinyl floor is installed, protect all the seamed areas, don’t walk on them, or the seam sealer.
Keep the room at a temperature between 68° F or greater than 100° F for at least two days after installation to allow the adhesives to set up correctly.
If you are sensitive to dust and odors, good airing should be established for 48 to 72 hours after installation.
If your vinyl floor was installed using the Full Spread method, no appliances should be moved for a minimum of 24-72 hours after installation. Lightfoot traffic is allowed after 24 hours.
If the Perimeter Adhered installation method was used, no appliances should be moved for a minimum of 24-72 hours after installation. Lightfoot traffic is allowed after 24 hours.
If your installers used the Floating method, machines could be moved in immediately, and foot traffic is OK immediately following installation.
When you are ready to move machines back into the room, an underlayment type of product such as plywood or particleboard with a minimum thickness of 3/8,” placed on the new flooring before to moving the appliances, will significantly reduce any mishaps.
Do not rely on the wheels that may be attached to the refrigerator to move the appliance back in — they can damage the new floor.
Allow five days before thoroughly washing your floor. This will give time for the adhesive to cure.
Being Prepared Is The Result Of Being Informed
We want you to be as well ready as possible for the installation of your new vinyl flooring. To that end, we’ve assembled the most well-informed salespeople and given you the names of experienced installers to provide you with trustworthy information, reliable resources, and proven solutions.
We hope that the info we’ve featured here leads you to a better understand of how to prepare for installation day.
Have A Question About Vinyl Flooring? Give Southern Woods A Call Today
770-554-1555
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Our Ratings And Reviews
“Southern Woods did a great job on our garage flooring project...on time, fair price and it looks terrific...what a transformation! We recommend Southern Woods without hesitation.”
Jeffrey A
Greensboro“Rob and his team are very friendly and knowledgeable. Everything went smoothly from scheduling the estimate to the finished project. Installation crew was prompt and professional and did a great job. We had our hardwoods refinished and added more. You cannot tell the old from the new they match perfectly with a seamless transition.”
Glenn T
Loganville“ I would definitely recommend Southern Woods to friends and family as the customer service was outstanding. ”
Lisa N
Bethlehem"The Southern Woods folks have done flooring in 4 houses for me now using both hardwood and vinyl and I have been very pleased with each one."
Hayes S
Braselton"This is a fantastic company that does exactly what they say they will do in the time and for the price that they say they will do it."
Nathan S
Lawrenceville"Southern Woods did such an amazing job with our floors. My partner is a carpenter himself and is incredibly picky, and the owner made it a point to make sure he (and me) were happy with everything."
Lauren N
Athens"Southern Woods has performed well above the standard each and every time I have used them. From sand and refinish, new wood flooring, to tile and carpet they are always my vendor of choice."
Cliff H
Grayson"We had our master bath remodeled and I must say that the job that was done is fantastic! Rob was great to work with and Manny who did the tile almost completely by himself was unbelievable!."
Sheila R
Loganville"Great customer service!! As well as great selection of hardwood, laminate, LVP, etc, they have a very nice showroom that showcases a wide variety of their product."
Kenny F
Athens"We installed our own new hardwoods and Southern Woods refinished and matched them seamlessly to our old woods. They were communicative and their pricing was very fair."
Jessica T
Atlanta" We LOVE our refinished floors! The are absolutely beautiful! I would highly recommend Southern Woods for any of your flooring needs!"
Kim S
Snellville"Southern Woods was flexible with appointments, extremely knowledgeable, and responsive with any questions. They ensured I was completely satisfied when the jobs were complete."
Susan C
Johns Creek"I used Southern Woods to refinish my floors, they were very professional, I met with them, discussed what I wanted, they quoted me a price. They showed up when they were supposed to, and the quality of the work was better than expected."
Simply S
Atlanta"Wonderful company! We've used Southern Woods for hardwood, carpet, tile and granite counter tops. They do amazing work start to finish."
Willie M
Grayson"Great people!!! They do awesome work. I highly recommend them."
Danielle K
Suwanee“Southern Woods made the entire process of updating our floors so easy. Their communication was great, and the installers were courteous and professional. The process was almost completely contact-free, and everyone wore a mask. We appreciated their taking such safety measures. And we're so happy with our floors!”
Rebecca A
Lawrenceville“This was at least the 7th job that Rob and his team have done for us in the last 10 years. I would never consider using anyone else! I trust him and Southern Woods completely. His expertise and integrity and work ethic are unrivaled. He's the best in Atlanta . . . period!”
Keith E
Winder“Most beautiful floors I’ve ever seen! Professional staff and so knowledgeable! You can tell Rob knows his floors, and is passionate about getting you the results you want!”
Cliff A
Athens-“Saved my kitchen floor and my sanity!”
Gwen B
Tucker“Fantastic service from beginning to end. They were very professional, upfront and transparent with pricing and costs. I would use them again and recommend to anyone in the area.”