How to Install Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) Like a Pro

Giving you my best tips for LVP flooring installation, saving you from mistakes along the way. Installing LVP is pretty straightforward, but I have installed LVP in two homes and I am sharing the most important things I learned along the way so that you can install YOUR flooring like a pro and save so much money!   Also, did you know you can install luxury vinyl plank flooring right over tile? Short answer: LVP flooring installation means letting the planks acclimate, prepping a flat subfloor, rolling out underlayment if needed, then click locking the planks into place in staggered rows starting from your longest wall. Most DIYers can install 200 to 300 square feet in a weekend with basic tools like a tape measure, miter saw, and a tapping block.

How to Install LVP Flooring: Step by Step

1. Prep and measure the space. Remove old flooring or trim as needed, measure the room, and calculate 5% to 8% extra material for waste and future repairs.
2. Let the planks acclimate. Leave the boxes in the room for at least 24 hours so the LVP can adjust to your home’s temperature and humidity.
3. Add underlayment if needed. Roll out an LVP rated underlayment for extra cushioning, sound absorption, and moisture protection, especially over tile or concrete.
4. Sort the planks by pattern. Separate planks from several boxes into piles by pattern so you can alternate them and avoid an obviously repeating look.
5. Start on your longest exterior wall. Begin your first row here for the straightest possible line across the room.
6. Click lock each row into place. Angle each plank into the previous row and press down to lock the joint, leaving a 1/4 inch expansion gap at the walls.
7. Cut planks to fit. Use a miter saw, jigsaw, or a utility knife and straightedge for thinner planks to cut pieces for row ends and doorways.
8. Stagger the seams. Offset the end joints between rows by at least 6 inches for a natural look and a stronger floor.
9. Install the final row and trim. Cut the last row to width, snap it into place, and add transition strips or baseboards to cover the expansion gap.
10. Let the floor settle before adding heavy furniture. Avoid placing heavy cabinets directly on the new floor right away so it can expand and contract naturally.

Can you believe I am FINALLY done with my floors? LVP has become a very popular choice when it comes to flooring for a variety of reasons and has come a long way. I never thought I would EVER put vinyl flooring in my home, but it has many qualities that make it a great choice. It is budget-friendly, waterproof, kidproof and petproof, and can be installed over existing flooring, to name a few.

Are you needing to cut your door frames down to make room for your new LVP flooring? Check out how to do that here!

My TOP 10 TIPS for installing your LVP floor:

1. Bring home as many samples as you need to to make the best decision for your home.  You can check them out from a local flooring store or buy a box ( or two or three) of them at one of the big box stores.  The light and paint in a room as well as reflections of the outdoors (yes, plants can change the way paint looks) will make the flooring look different than it did in the store.   We brought home 12 different samples.  The ones I loved in the store I actually hated with the light and the paint in my home. The sample that was a last minute grab that I wasn’t crazy about was the winner! 2. Calculate the flooring you need and then get 5% – 8% more than your calculations for defects, mistakes and waste and extra in case you need to replace boards. You need to add in a little for waste, mistakes and some left over for repairs if you ever need to do them. There is nothing worse than being in the middle of a project and having to hit pause because you don’t have enough to finish.  But be careful not to buy too much.  Our store charges a 25% restocking fee for unopened boxes of planks so I don’t want to have to return if I can avoid it.

How much does Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring cost?

3.  Get the nicest plank you can afford and compare several manufacturers. I have seen it as low as low as .79 cents/ sq.ft. in some stores and online. This is where “you get what you pay for” really applies. The lower end planks tend to not be very wide, shorter in length, flimsy and it either don’t have a foam backing or the foam is REALLY thin.  But you don’t need to have the most expensive luxury vinyl to install like a pro. We bought ours for  $2.85/sq.ft..  9” wide x 60” long, a really thick foam backing, great texture that makes it look realistic and beveled edges.  A beveled edge, size of plank, density of plank and variance of color and texture are all things to look for and become more available as the cost goes up.  These things add a more realistic feel to the flooring and achieve a wood floor look without the wood floor maintenance.

Do I need to put anything under my LVP flooring?

4.  Buy an underlayment.  Especially if you have a less expensive plank that doesn’t have a really thick foam backing.  An underlayment will help absorb sound, add cushioning to the floor so it has just a little give and act as a moisture barrier.  There are a lot of different underpayments out on the market.  Be sure to buy one that will work with LVP.  We bought one that wasn’t expensive but creates the proper barrier and adds extra cushion to the bottom of the planks. If you are going over existing flooring like tile, this will help to minimize the possibility of the flooring taking the shape of the grout lines over time.  

How do I Install LVP flooring?

5.  Sort the planks from a few boxes (or all if it is a smaller project) into piles of matching patterns.  Now that you have decided on the exact floor you want and you have all of the boxes in your home, the fun begins.  Let the flooring sit and acclimate to the environment in your home for a day.  A lot of people say it doesn’t matter, but this flooring material still expands and contracts a little so it is just a good idea.  Note: Because the floor needs room to expand and contract, don’t install heavy cabinets ON TOP of the flooring or they could end up buckling at the seams.  When you get ready to start installing your floors and you open a box or two, you will find that there are planks with repeating patterns.  Sort the planks into different piles with matching patterns. Then you will want to alternate the piles you choose from when you lay the floors to avoid repeating patterns and keep it looking cohesive but not repetitive. 6.  GET A GOOD SET OF KNEEPADS!!!  You will be spending a lot of time on your knees if you are installing lvp like a pro. Having a set of knee pads will make the project more enjoyable and allow you to spend more time on it without being in pain.  I picked up some amazing kneepads that are gel-filled.  They are a great investment.  I bought these and would suggest a GEL-filled pad.

What tools do I need to install LVP flooring?

7.  Get the right tools and have them ready to go when you start.  This should probably be number one.  The tools I would recommend are a tape measure, miter saw, jig saw, utility knife. You will also need a kit that includes a mallet, puller tool, tapper, and spacers for the required 1/4” expansion gap away from the wall to allow for expansion/contraction.  If you are using a thinner LVP, you can score the plank using a box cutter and a straight edge and then snap the cut pretty easily so you won’t need a miter saw.  Since mine were so thick, I used a miter saw to cut them.  A table or track saw isn’t necessary but if you have one, they are nice to make the long cuts with. I did mine with a jigsaw and it worked just fine.  Make sure you have the right blade in your jig saw and that it is not dull or it will shred the edge of the cut . Where is the best place to start my LVP flooring installation? 8. Start on the longest exterior wall of the room if you can.  This will give you the most accurate and straight line as it is an exterior wall and those tend to be pretty straight. You don’t want to get your floor installed across the room and look across to see the lines are starting to angle and your floor looks crooked. YIKES!

Common mistakes when laying an LVP floor?

9.  Pay attention to the end you are cutting.  I used a water soluble marker to write on my boards. I place an arrow on the side that I am cutting or write the word “cut”.  *Remember* the saw blade is 1/8” so you want to cut on the side you are not intending to use at that time.  All of this really helps if you are cutting a few at a time.   10.  If you have to work backwards in a space it CAN be done.  I had a living room that I needed to go the OPPOSITE way to meet the boards that were in the hallway so I dry fit my boards across to the end of the room and measured the distance between the last full board I laid down and the wall minus the 1/4” expansion gap. In this case I had 6 1/2″.   I then cut my starting board to that measurement (in this case I had 6 1/2” and installed it against the wall and then worked my way from the back wall of the living room toward the hallway and it fit PERFECTLY!!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to glue or float LVP flooring?

Floating LVP with a click lock system is easier for DIYers and works well over most subfloors, including tile. Glue down LVP creates a more permanent bond and is sometimes used in commercial spaces or homes with big temperature swings, but it takes longer to install and is much harder to remove. For a DIY installation like mine, floating LVP is the simpler, more forgiving choice.

How much does LVP flooring installation cost?

LVP materials typically run from under a dollar to $5 or more per square foot, depending on the plank thickness, backing, and finish. I paid $2.85 per square foot for a 9 inch wide, 60 inch long plank with a thick foam backing. If you hire a professional installer instead of doing it yourself, expect to pay extra on top of the material cost for labor.

What mistakes should I avoid when installing LVP?

The most common mistakes are skipping subfloor prep since any bump or dip will telegraph through the plank, not leaving a 1/4 inch expansion gap around the edges, rushing the layout so the pattern repeats, and not letting the planks acclimate to the room for at least 24 hours before installing.

Does LVP flooring need underlayment?

In most cases, yes. An underlayment adds cushioning, helps absorb sound, and acts as a moisture barrier, which matters most if your plank has a thin foam backing or you are installing over a hard surface like tile or concrete. Some premium LVP comes with attached padding and may not need a separate underlayment.

Can you install LVP flooring over tile?

Yes. LVP can be installed directly over existing tile as long as the tile is flat, secure, and free of major cracks or missing pieces. This is one of the biggest advantages of LVP, and it is exactly what I did in my own home to skip the cost and mess of a full tile demo. Take your time, have fun, and take lots of pictures!!!  If you rush or work while you are tired, you WILL make mistakes!  Oh, heck.  You might make mistakes anyway!  And it’s OK!! Trust me, I know from experience!  It is better to slow down and work diligently but not to the point where you are too tired and start making mistakes you would not have made if you were fresh.  Every mistake costs money.  Have fun, enjoy the process, and don’t forget to stand up and look around.  You will be so proud of what you just accomplished and you will know how to install luxury vinyl plank like a pro!  Stay tuned for my next post as I walk you through making a template to cut your flooring around rounded walls.   As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out at april@aprilcolleen.com.