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Can You Put Vinyl Plank On Wall? (How To)

Undoubtedly, vinyl plank flooring is beautiful. It is used in homes around the world as a less expensive alternative to get the look of wood. Is this also something that can be used on the wall?

You can use vinyl plank flooring on the wall and it makes a great wallcovering. As long as it is installed over sound drywall and you apply the vinyl plank flooring properly, it will stay up for a very long time.

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This may seem like something that is relatively new but in reality, homeowners have been doing this for a very long time. Having wood planks on the wall is a beautiful way to have that country look or special design that you want. Vinyl planks make it easy to do.

You should also consider the possibility that it is not necessary to cover an entire wall if you want to get creative. At times, you can just use the vinyl planks to make some type of unique accent in any room.

Another thing to consider is the fact that this is such an easy project for even the most inexperienced DIY enthusiast. Quite simply, there is nothing to it and as long as you prepare properly in advance, you can have it up and looking good in no time at all.

Can You Put Vinyl Plank On Wall? (How To)

It should be noted that there are different types of vinyl planks and not each of them is going to offer the same types of benefits. In fact, some of them may not even be suitable for use on the wall.

An example of this is a peel and stick vinyl plank. These can be used on the wall and they are very convenient because you just peel off the backing and put them in place.

The problem with using this type of vinyl plank on the wall is that you are not putting any weight on it after it is initially installed. One of the benefits of this flooring is the fact that it adheres better as you continue to walk on the floor.

Does that mean that you can’t use peel and stick vinyl plank floor on the wall? You can absolutely use it but you must use it properly. Rather than just relying on the glue that is already on the plank, you should apply some glue to the wall as well.

Of course, you also have the floating plank floor that is so popular. When applied to the floor, it isn’t attached to anything except each plank is attached to the ones adjacent to it. It’s called a floating floor because it essentially floats above the subfloor.

This may work well on the floor but it is not going to work very well on the wall. That is due to the weight of the vinyl floor which will constantly push downward and may eventually result in buckling or the vinyl falling off of the wall altogether.

You can use a floating floor on the wall but you have to glue it. You may find that this is even better than other glue-down floors for the wall because you have the strength of the tongue and groove and the strength of the glue working together.

You should also not make the mistake of thinking that, just because you are using vinyl that there is not going to be a problem with moisture. Vinyl plank flooring may be somewhat impervious to water but the drywall behind it is not. You still need to protect the wall behind it if at all possible.

In this article, we are going to discuss the benefits and problems associated with installing vinyl plank flooring on the wall. We will also consider how to do it, including preparing the wall in advance and what tools you should use.

Should You Put Vinyl Plank On Wall?

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Now that we have covered the question as to whether you can put vinyl planks on the wall, it’s time to consider whether you should do it. This is sometimes a personal choice and other times, it has to do with circumstances.

First of all, any time you install vinyl plank on the wall, you are going to have to glue it on. This has some specific problems associated with it directly.

Permanent Installation – When you glue anything onto the drywall, you are essentially making the decision that it will be there for the long run. It is possible to remove the vinyl plank from the drywall when it is glued on but you will not be happy in the process.

Damage – If you do decide to remove the vinyl plank flooring at any time, you are going to damage the drywall in the process. It is going to take a lot of work to bring the drywall back up to where it is acceptable again.

Moisture – This is a problem that is not often considered. When you install vinyl plank on the wall, any moisture that gets through could be a problem behind the planking.

Mold – In line with the above statement, it is not out of the ordinary to have a problem with mold or mildew as long as there is some organic material and moisture along with oxygen, mold can grow. If it grows under the vinyl plank, it can be a real problem.

Dark – It may come as a surprise just how dark the room becomes after you install the vinyl plank floor on the wall. You can always choose a lighter color, but it is still not going to be as bright as paint in most cases.

What Tools Do You Need To Put Vinyl Plank On Wall?

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Getting your tools together is an important part of any project. We will consider the tools necessary for installing vinyl plank on the wall so you can be prepared in advance.

Saws – A variety of saws and cutters can be used for this job. You may find that you can simply scribe and snap the vinyl but you can also use a chop or miter saw to do the job as well. A jigsaw or portable scroll saw will help if odd shapes need to be cut.

Drill – Make sure that you have a drill and some hole cells available for cutting any holes necessary. This is also a great way to start a cut in the middle of the vinyl.

Tape Measures – I prefer to have a 25-foot tape measure along with a 12-foot tape measure. They each serve a useful purpose.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on October 1, 2022.

Rubber Mallet and Installation Kit – Purchase an installation kit that typically is used for installing tongue and groove vinyl plank flooring. It will help you to move the pieces into place as you glue them without damaging them.

Chalk Line – You can use a chalk line to measure out the first plank and get it lined up properly.

Nail Gun – After gluing the first piece in place, you will want to nail through the tongue using a small tack.

Level – This will be invaluable to ensure that the planks are level and going in the right direction.

Caulking Gun – The glue you will use to hold the vinyl plank flooring on the wall will be in a caulking tube. You can use a caulking gun to apply it to both the planks and the wall.

What Preparations Do You Need To Install Vinyl Plank On Wall?

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There are not many preparations necessary to begin the installation of vinyl plank on the wall. That being said, there are some that should be done.

Clean – When was the last time you cleaned your walls? Take the time to wash them down with soap and water and allow them to air dry before you install the vinyl planks. This will also remove some of the unwanted bacteria that would otherwise be left behind the vinyl planks.

Repair – Take the time to repair any damage that is visible on the drywall. This could include filling nail holes, putting some spackling in the space between drywall planks, and perhaps even floating the wall if necessary.

Prime – The final preparation step is to prime the wall. A single coat of quality primer will cover up many of the issues underneath and will make it possible for the glue to adhere to the vinyl plank properly.

How To Install Vinyl Plank On Wall

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Now that everything is prepared, you can get started with the actual installation. It’s not difficult but you should follow these steps.

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Strike a Line – Use your level, tape measure, and the chalk line to strike a line where the first plank will be in place. Make sure that you will not have a very thin piece of vinyl plank on the other side of the room.

You can really install the plank in any direction you want. Installing it horizontally tends to make the room look larger and installing a vertically makes the room look taller. Some people even decide to install it diagonally or just use it as a highlight.

First Piece – Apply glue to the wall and the back of the first vinyl plank. After putting it in place, nail the plank to the wall through the tongue using tacks.

Install the Other Pieces – Continue to install each piece in succession, gluing it down and using the tongue and groove if that’s the style you selected. Always use high-quality glue to install these pieces so they will stay in place for the long term.

Install the Final Piece – The final piece will now be put in place. You may need to rip the piece so it fits but leave a slight gap so it can expand if necessary.

It is possible to install vinyl plank flooring on a wall and many people are doing it successfully. When you prepare the wall in advance and glue the vinyl plank onto the drywall, it will last for a very long time.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on October 1, 2022.

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