You’re here because you want to know if it is possible to install vinyl planks without having to go through the rigors of removing baseboards, right? Not to worry, here we answer this question and shed light on how to do it like a professional.
You can put vinyl planks without worrying about removing baseboards. However, ensure you leave a ¼ inch space between the flooring and the baseboard to make up for any expansion. To make up for this expansion, we recommend investing in a quarter-round molding with a color similar to that of the baseboard.
For the remainder of this article, we discuss everything involving the vinyl planks installation process without baseboard removal. We show you how to do it, and provide you with suggestions that will make the project a success.
Can You Put Vinyl Plank Without Removing Baseboards?
You can leave existing baseboards while installing vinyl planks on your walls or floors as these boards do not hinder the plank installation process in any way. Proceeding to install your vinyl planks this way, will save you time and energy that you would have otherwise spent removing baseboards.
All you need to do is follow our step-by-step process, which includes preparing your floors before installation and carefully placing the planks one row at a time. Also, do not forget to account for that ¼ inch space before installing begins.
Should You Put Vinyl Plank Without Removing Baseboards
Installing vinyl planks without removing existing baseboards is not mandatory. We only recommend that you remove the baseboards if you notice that they have become too old, damaged or worn out.
Here are some other scenarios that might call for removing the baseboards before installing vinyl planks:
Scenario 1: It is important that the baseboard design blends with not only the floors but that of the room’s walls. It might become necessary to remove the current ones so you can change the baseboards.
Scenario 2: Since installing vinyl planks over an existing flooring raises the floor level of any room, it might be necessary for you to make the baseboard higher. Hence, the need to remove the existing baseboard to achieve this.
What Tools Do You Need to Put Vinyl Plank Without Removing Baseboards
For a clean finish, we recommend that you get the right tools, especially if you wish to complete the installation without removing the baseboards.
Here is a list of the tools you’ll be needing:
- vinyl plank flooring
- sandpaper
- ¼ inch spacers
- floor leveling compound
- concrete patcher
- sander
- flat pry tool
- measuring tapes
- utility knives
- nail set and a solid hammer
- straightedge
- carpenter square
- drawbar tool
- tooth saw
- protective kit
What Preparations Do You Need To Install Vinyl Plank Without Removing Baseboards
Proper preparation will go a long way when installing the vinyl plank, without removing the baseboards.
Here are three easy preparation steps to follow before installing vinyl planks without first removing the baseboards:
Step 1: Take Out Existing Flooring
Since vinyl planks are usually sold as either glue-down flooring plank or a floating flooring plank, depending on the one you get, your preparatory process might involve you needing to remove your current flooring before beginning the installation process.
If you opt for the floating vinyl plank, it is very easy for you to install it over the current flooring without the stress of removal. However, it would be best if you made plans to lift the door jams since the level of your floor will now be higher than before.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on November 28, 2022.
The glue-down vinyl plank option, however, does not follow this rule because it requires leveling the subfloor so the plank can stick. Therefore, prior to installing the new set, you must remove the existing flooring with a pry tool.
Step 2: Fixing the Subfloor
Once the existing flooring is off, another preparatory procedure (when planning to install vinyl planks without removing the baseboards) involves checking that the subfloor is in good condition.
After taking out the flooring, the subfloor often tends to be damaged with holes and cracks, which will cause poor results if you put down the vinyl planks without fixing the damages first.
When laying vinyl plank over a concrete subfloor, a concrete patch is suitable for covering up any holes or cracks on the floor. For a plywood subfloor, a floor-leveling compound will suffice.
Step 3: Take Measurements
Lastly, another crucial step you must take, prior to the beginning of installation, is using a measuring tape for accurate measurements of the length and width of the room, and the vinyl plank, dividing the result of the room’s width by the plank’s width.
When doing this, we recommend you take these measurements from the baseboards for better accuracy. Also, do not forget to take into account the ¼ inch gap you need to leave to account for possible expansion. Once you do this, you can figure out how many rows of vinyl planks you will need.
How to Install Vinyl Plank Without Removing Baseboards
Installing vinyl planks without removing the baseboards is quite straightforward, especially if you have prepared and set the right tone for installation. All that is left now is to lay the vinyl planks without any hassle with these three simple steps:
Step 1: Place the First Row
Carefully place the first row of the planks while pressing them on the floor so they will fit perfectly on the leveled floor. At the sides of the planks, close to the baseboards, take account of the ¼ inches. You can use a spacer to make room for the spacings.
Step 2: Place the Remaining Rows
Using the first row as a guide, you can continue placing the remaining vinyl planks while carefully following the first row. Make sure you do not leave any gap between the planks so they do not fall apart.
You can cut the planks to a particular size that you desire, using the carpenter square and a sharp saw, but make sure it is a clean cut.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on November 28, 2022.
Step 3: Install Quarter Round Molding
Take out the spacers you used to account for the ¼ inches and cover it up with quarter-round molding to give the flooring a cleaner, finished look.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on November 28, 2022.