How to Click the Vinyl

Vinyl click flooring is one of the most popular and affordable flooring options available today. It’s durable, waterproof, and incredibly easy to install — even for first-time DIYers. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to click vinyl flooring into place like a pro.

What You’ll Need

• Click vinyl flooring planks
• Tape measure
• Utility knife or vinyl cutter
• Rubber mallet
• Tapping block
• Pull bar
• Spacers (1/4 inch)
• Pencil

Step 1: Prepare the Subfloor

Make sure your subfloor is clean, dry, and level. Remove any old flooring, nails, or staples. Check for high spots and sand them down. Fill any dips or cracks with a floor leveling compound. A flat subfloor ensures your vinyl planks will click together cleanly and lay flat.

Step 2: Acclimate the Flooring

Leave the vinyl planks in the room where they will be installed for at least 48 hours before installation. This allows them to acclimate to the room’s temperature and humidity, reducing the chance of expansion or contraction after installation.

Step 3: Plan Your Layout

Measure the room and plan how you’ll run the planks. For best results, run planks parallel to the longest wall. Leave a 1/4-inch expansion gap around all walls and fixed objects using spacers.

Step 4: Click and Lock

Start in a corner and angle the first plank into the groove of the second at about 45 degrees. Press down firmly until you hear and feel a click. Continue adding planks along the row, using a rubber mallet and tapping block to snug them together without damaging the edges.

Step 5: Cut to Fit

When you reach a wall, measure and mark the last plank. Score it deeply with a utility knife and snap it along the line. Use a pull bar to click the cut plank into place against the wall while maintaining the expansion gap.