Vinyl planks, the popular synthetic material for flooring, is without a doubt picked for its strength, resistance to dampness and adaptable appearance that also makes it one of the most convenient flooring options. However, the question remains, can you put them diagonally?
You can put vinyl planks diagonally. However, planning the overall layout of the floor is a major factor in determining the vinyl plank’s final outlook when placed diagonally. When the overall floor layout is right, planks will be aligned properly, and corners will remain straight.
There are numerous possibilities for installing vinyl planks now that technology has advanced. In this piece, we answer those questions you might have regarding whether to install vinyl planks diagonally.
Can You Put Vinyl Plank Diagonally?
Vinyl planks can be installed diagonally. We generally advise that you proceed with installing your vinyl planks diagonally when the walls of the room are angled. Putting vinyl planks diagonally, when compared to horizontally and vertically, gives the flooring a more appealing look.
Should You Put Vinyl Plank Diagonally?
Now that you know that you can put vinyl planks diagonally, you may wonder whether the diagonal placement option is recommended practice.
You should put vinyl plank flooring diagonally if you want to achieve uniform dimension alignment in your rooms. Diagonal vinyl plank flooring is the best way to make a space look larger.
It is also worth noting that if your space has corners and angled walls, arranging your vinyl planks diagonally will create a unique and striking look.
Should you wish to proceed with placing vinyl planks diagonally, here are two problems you may encounter:
Excess Materials and Material Wasting
Diagonal vinyl plank flooring requires more planks than other vinyl plank flooring methods. In addition, you would also have to deal with excessive wastage of material. This is because you cannot use the off-cuts at the end of each row until they have been cut again to change the angle.
Moreover, when cutting diagonal flooring at an angle, the off-cut needs to be longer (12 to 16 inches), so you can cut off a triangle-shaped part to reverse the angle. This means additional off-cuts are useless and become waste.
Nevertheless, conserving off-cuts to utilize in the corners, as you get closer to finishing the installation, can somewhat reduce waste in any diagonal installation.
Cutting at an Angle
While, in theory, you can create a template for the angled cuts you make at the start and end of each row during vinyl flooring installation planning, this arrangement will only work when the walls are straight. When they aren’t, you’ll notice a gradually widening gap between each new board or tile and the wall.
The only workaround is to evaluate each cut with an adjustable bevel or scribe, which significantly extends the setup time and process.
What Tools Do You Need to Put Vinyl Plank Diagonally?
You’ll need a few things before installing new flooring in your home. Luckily, the tools and materials required to create diagonal floors are not much. These tools are practical, simple to use and are as follows:
- Folding ruler or a tape measure to measure your space.
- Calculator for all your accurate dimensions.
- A pencil to mark cutting and sawing lines. It is also useful for taking notes.
- A Bevel measuring device for the corners.
- Tape to help rigidly fix your underlay.
- Concave edge knife for simple cutting.
- A trowel and leveling compound to create a level subfloor.
- A crowbar, a tapping block, and a hammer to firmly click the floor into place.
- Gloves to keep your hands safe.
- Spacers to maintain a specific gap between your vinyl floors and the walls.
- As for the necessary cleaning tasks, you should have a vacuum cleaner, broom, pail, sponge, acetone, and a mop within easy reach.
What Preparations Do You Need to Install Vinyl Plank Diagonally?
There are a few things you need to prepare before installing a vinyl floor. What are these preliminary steps?
Step 1: Make sure you have all the necessary tools.
Step 2: Check your floor for any irregularities. Ensure the floor is level by carefully sliding a plank across it.
Step 3: Take measurements before the cutting begins so that cuts can be made correctly and at the correct length. A measuring tape is an essential tool for this task.
Step 4: Cut the vinyl plank to the size that it needs to be. This can be done with a utility knife or a more advanced power saw that keeps all the cuts straight.
Step 5: Vacuum and make sure your subfloor is spotless so you can begin laying your floor immediately.
How to Install Vinyl Plank Diagonally
Installing a vinyl plank diagonally is a seemingly challenging task that requires great care and patience.
To install a vinyl diagonal floor, locate the center of the room, draw two chalk lines through it, check them with a framing square, and then draw a 45-degree bisecting line across the center mark with the same square. This will serve as a starting point.
Vinyl comes in two types:
- self-stick
- glue down
Self-stick vinyl is extremely simple to install because it has an adhesive backing that you can stick to the floor. All you need to do is manually lay it down.
Glue-down vinyl, on the other hand, requires a little more effort because you must first apply a layer of vinyl flooring glue to the sublayer before placing your vinyl on the floor.
If you’re attempting to install the glue-down vinyl plank type, keep reading for more instructions:
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on November 27, 2022.
Step 1: Remove everything that will cause obstruction, including the outdated flooring.
Step 2: Place, install and smoothen the underlay.
Step 3: Lay the vinyl out and press it into the adhesive to secure it.
Step 4: Diagonally install the vinyl until the desired space is filled.
Step 5: Let the adhesive dry.
Can You Use Vinyl Planks Diagonally for Multiple Rooms?
You can use vinyl planks diagonally for multiple rooms. Many homeowners think that this is the ideal way to connect different spaces. Flooring diagonally gives a sense of spaciousness and adds a trendy flair.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on November 27, 2022.