How to install vinyl plank flooring in multiple rooms or whole floor.

Video Timeline:
0:00 - Intro: Why I made this video
0:47 -Tools/materials needed
3:53 - Optional tools/materials needed
9:32 - Prep: Remove old flooring (if necessary)
10:39 - Prep: Removing the baseboards
11:45 - Prep: Level the floor (if necessary)
13:02 - Prep: Install underlayment (if necessary)
14:16 - Prep: Determine which way to lay the flooring planks / boards
19:58 - Prep: Determine where to start and finish installing the floor
22:58 - Prep: Understanding which area is most important to avoid skinny planks on the edges
25:15 - Prep: How to create and where to put your reference line (a seam in floor)
28:44 - How to use your reference line to start the flooring install
30:56 -Why using anchors for the staring row is helpful and recommended
31:54 - Intro to how to install the flooring
32:32 - How to make your cuts
39:14 - How to connect the planks together
41:29 - How to avoid patterns and too close together seams plus more install tips
43:09 - Biggest and most common mistakes beginners make
47:11 - Pro tips to help your install (IMO best part to watch before you install)
50:05 -Outro: What I think of the vinyl plank flooring
Tools / Materials you need:
Actual flooring: This is what I used from Home Depot:
www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Deco...
Spacers: 2 spacer that are the "good" kind T-shaped easy to use
amzn.to/3ibbFJx
amzn.to/2NAUYsY
Pull Bar:
amzn.to/2YC3Zbt
Tapping block - Long tapping block I used $13:
amzn.to/2Z86mBS
Rubber Mallet $6:
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Utility knife:
amzn.to/2B6swNe
Measuring Tape:
amzn.to/2Aa7VHh
Tools / Materials are optional or may be needed:
Underlayment:
1st underlayment I used (6 mil polyethylene):
amzn.to/2A8aWaU
2nd cork underlayment I used from Home Depot:
www.homedepot.com/p/Eco-Cork-...
Actual flooring I used from Home Depot
www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Deco...
2 baseboard removers:
amzn.to/2CMIOLA
amzn.to/2YDrJft
Jig Saw:
amzn.to/2NvUqES
Oscillating Multi-Tool
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Drill:
amzn.to/2ZdDJU5
Hammer Drill (if on concrete):
amzn.to/2VrfAbD
Speed Square:
amzn.to/2NCiG89
Cheap tool belt many for the pockets $15:
amzn.to/31tUTzk
Knee Pads:
amzn.to/2Vn8FjJ
Link to the website that helps you visualize the boards:
rewardflooring.com/pages/room...

[@jillkellam2496]

You are my hero. Thank you so much for doing this. I was debating to pay a contractor to install. I watched lots of videos, But had questions as I plan to do the entire house. Going to have to watch this several more times. But I am grateful to have the resource!!!

[@waltsreviews90]

You are very welcome, glad I could help.

[@think41c]

It's nice to have someone that has some serious intellectual fortitude do construction work and think about things in a super logical manner. Your discussion on working backwards around the 23 minute mark is missed by just about every typical installer. Your intro "table of contents" for the video is spot on too. Nicely done on many levels.

[@waltsreviews90]

Thank you, always happy to help.

[@user-ph1qr9yl6h]

The knee pads are more important than many think. Even doing just one room like I did years ago, they were a blessing.

[@amiralmusawi9030]

I found it surprisingly difficult to find a video that explained the details of a whole house layout. I really appreciate this one. Nice work, thanks!

[@Killian665]

This really goes to show how much is involved in doing a truly good job and how many people don’t do it.

[@aliveandwell2078]

Walt, I’m a 38 year construction Vet that’s has layed many laminate floors and engineered floors. You did a fantastic job of explaining the process. I’m getting ready to install my own home and just wanted to thank you for solving my potential problems before they became a problem. Nice job!!

[@waltsreviews90]

Thank you, glad that I was able to help!

[@markjszymanski]

This whole video is gold, but this is by far the most important bit and the part everyone else doesn't explain well 19:58 - Prep: Determine where to start and finish installing the floor Thanks, Walt!

[@waltsreviews90]

Thanks for watching, and glad the video helped!

[@seanmccarthy7962]

You're ability to convey information clearly is amazing, especially on a subject you just taught yourself.

[@waltsreviews90]

I appreciate that! I spent a while trying to put the video together, nice to hear that time is appreciated by viewers.

[@jjnshane413]

Thank you for this! Super informative and helpful - I’m about to lay vinyl plank flooring in my house - my mom and husband think I’m crazy for wanting to do it on my own, but I know I can do it, and this video really helped. Your info on direction of board, working backwards, and planning out where to start is so much more helpful than other videos I’ve watched! I know I’ll come back and watch this video several more times as I work through my project.

[@waltsreviews90]

You got this; hope it all goes smooth!!

[@bjdr2001]

How did the floors turn out.

[@stevejensen9802]

One of the best how-to videos I've seen. Very comprehensive with tons of helpful tips. Great job, Walt!

[@winnipegdigitalpsychogeogr5958]

thanks for sharing! i've learned many of these lessons myself during my first two rooms out of more to come. It's great to hear from other DIYers sharing learning experiences to reinforce your own to keep improving. Cheers and congrats on your flooring install!

[@waltsreviews90]

Glad it was helpful!

[@onieltoledo8019]

This is the best vinyl plank installation video I've seen so far. Thank you so much man!!!

[@waltsreviews90]

Thanks for the feedback, nice to know viewers appreciate all the time I put into the video.

[@linzy_pinzy]

I have watched so many and this is the first one that answered most of my questions and it was really easy to follow! Especially with regard to going from room to room and no transitions 🙌

[@waltsreviews90]

Glad that it was helpful!

[@verakokeny4316]

I've been watching flooring videos for weeks. This one is the most comprehensive and useful of all! Cheers

[@waltsreviews90]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@terrytinney]

This is the best, most complete how to video

[@douglefever7807]

Excellent video, Walt! I’ve watched dozens of these vinyl board install videos but no other video was nearly as helpful as yours. Thanks!

[@waltsreviews90]

You're very welcome. I'm glad it was helpful for you!

[@justcaldwell]

Wow, this is just fantastic. Thanks so much for all the great info. I haven't done vinyl plank yet, but I've done lots of interlocking laminate, and much of your layout and planning tips apply to that material as well. Wish I'd seen something like this years ago.

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem, hope the vinyl planks work well for you!

[@user-le9de2im9l]

Wow! So very helpful!! Thank you for taking the time to speak to DIY beginners, covering all the details and tips so thoroughly! You filled in so many gaps that were left out of other videos I've seen. Many thanks for this great resource!!!

[@rodrigosegura6035]

been watching a million videos on flooring and this is the best by far, thank you

[@waltsreviews90]

Glad to help Rodrigo!

[@marks9935]

Walt, you have done a superb job. You answered questions I had, and some I had no clue would cause me a problem later. Thanks!

[@waltsreviews90]

Sure thing, happy to know it was helpful!

[@tksambrano]

Fantastic instructional video! Bravo, very complete and well done. Nice section about the planning stage regarding direction and placement of the planks. Thanks for posting this!👍🏽

[@waltsreviews90]

Thanks for the positive comment, happy to hear it was useful.

[@chutch1122]

This is probably the best guide to this on KZbin

[@waltsreviews90]

I appreciate that I spent *A LOT* of time on it glad it was helpful.

[@jimbarry9705]

Very good. Answered many of questions especially about transitions and going room to room layouts. I know I will be coming back to this for many references.

[@waltsreviews90]

Glad to help!

[@anthonycarella1779]

I'm gearing up to do this myself in a few of my bedrooms, and this is one of the most helpful vinyl plank flooring installation videos I've seen on KZbin so far. Thanks for posting!

[@rexeden7358]

This is very helpful, great video for me. Thank you for all the different things to consider before starting. I am looking to put flooring down on pretty much a whole floor and this will help me tremendously.

[@waltsreviews90]

You're welcome!

[@tessm9775]

Seriously, the BEST video I've seen on this topic. So glad I found it before we started. I appreciate how thorough you are and for all the extra info that so many other videos don't cover. Thank you!!!

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem, thanks for watching and the feedback!

[@JD-nu1fw]

Thank you sir! Exactly the video I needed. I am doing multiple rooms with hallway and didn’t know where to start. You the man!

[@richardlong318]

I have watched several videos and floor installation and this is by far the best one I've seen. Great job! Thank you so much for putting together an amazing "how to" video.

[@waltsreviews90]

Hope your project goes well!

[@jonathanbarrosodearaujo6360]

That's hands down the best video out there for flooring install. I watched lots of them and you did a great job thank you

[@waltsreviews90]

That's great, thanks!

[@almitchga1]

Dude..., one of the beat videos on installing lvp. I'm about to lay some down and I've been watching several videos on this and yours is one of the most informative, concise, detailed and thorough. Two thumbs up! 👍🏾👍🏾

[@AnsariBaksh]

I plan on doing this on my own for the first time. I appreciate all the good information that you shared. Thank you.

[@waltsreviews90]

You're welcome, best of luck!

[@kathrync4402]

This is a great video - so informative and I enjoyed your calm steady vibe. I really liked your graphic explanations about running the planks and taking time to plan for not "working backwards". You've really helped us feel better prepared to give it a go. A+

[@IanAndersen1]

One of the best comprehensive videos for beginners I've seen. I've watched many videos and yours was great for putting it all together. Thanks!

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem, hope that it helps!

[@yannisinasia]

Thank you for taking all the time to make this video. It's helped so much.

[@waltsreviews90]

Glad to help Yannis.

[@kimboeskeim397]

Just beginning a whole house install! Finished a bathroom yesterday! Yay!! 😎

[@waltsreviews90]

Awesome, good luck!

[@braithmorgan]

I have just recently discovered this vinyl by Lifeproof at Home Depot. I also have a concrete slab that I would be applying it to... I really like the way you showed all of the tools you would work with and the actual way you showed yourself working through the problems that came up. Good job and Thank you for your time. Very informative..

[@daspen]

Great job, you filled in all the gaps that existed in other videos!

[@trojan00000]

This is the best most elaborative educational video on this subject on the entire internet. Thank you! You could sell this material as a true comprehensive course on how to install Vinyl planks floors. Great job there.

[@irishdevil258]

What a fantastic video! Well said and well done. I am preparing to take on this project and have done a lot of research but you have ideas and tips that I have not seen. Thank you for all your effort, knowledge, and your willingness to share.

[@waltsreviews90]

You're welcome, happy to know it helped you!

[@Thebackson]

This is one of the better installation videos I have watched, and I have watched a lot. Thanks

[@waltsreviews90]

Glad it helped!

[@angeloskyriakides542]

Thanks for making such a thorough video, I've been doing flooring for a while and always wondered about proper starting points, reference lines etc.

[@crazyblanket]

Fantastic, well thought out video presentation. You've covered everything dude...well done and thanks!

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem, glad it was useful for you!

[@jr4233]

Wow. Super helpful video to assist me prior to flooring my home. Very well spoken and put together. You're awesome brother. Thank you for this. God bless!

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem, hope your flooring went well!

[@boomguymike]

Perfect video! 👍👍👍 After 2 full days of flooring, much of the issues I experienced you have addressed. BTW, your floor looks great!

[@waltsreviews90]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@odugudes]

I am about to begin my own flooring project for the entire house to replace carpet with LVP. As you note, other videos, while helpful, leave out a lot of details. You've just done what I was thinking I needed to do. Thanks a bunch. I'll try to share updates of my project and we'll be watching your meticulous guides as I work.

[@waltsreviews90]

Good luck!

[@mattp7184]

Awesome video! Thanks for creating this and including so many details and recommendations! Exactly what I needed.

[@hasnae6886]

Greetings from Netherlands. On this Easter weekend I've decided to lay down rigid pvc tiles myself. I have no experience and because of covid my help can't travel so I'm alone to do this and mostly trying to plan as much as possible. All questions you addressed I had and you answered them all in detail and so clearly. Your tips are so valuable. Sending you lots of good vibes!

[@waltsreviews90]

Thanks so much, hope the install went well!

[@danthomson1182]

THIS IS THE BEST EXPLANATION VIDEO FOR THIS ON KZbin! Man! I've been looking for hours for this video. I've been wondering what to do, do I change direction of the boards for different rooms/hallways etc, this whole time I knew the answer I just wanted to confirm. Great job man, thank you.

[@JustinKapow]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video. So much help

[@waltsreviews90]

You're very welcome, happy to hear it was helpful!

[@skippy5176]

Thank you so much - I am about to do my floors and was having issues finding all the video's. This worked great!

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem, happy to help!

[@Rachel-zc8ur]

One of the best videos so far on LVT install

[@waltsreviews90]

Thanks a lot!

[@sherryann1089]

WOW....Thank you for sharing your valuable knowledge and time. My teenage Son and I are getting ready to install 1700 square feet of flooring and you have given us such an amazing tool. Thank you ever so much

[@Chiller-pj2lz]

Getting ready to start a large multi-room project and this video is just an amazing tutorial.

[@waltsreviews90]

Glad it was helpful. Good luck on your project!

[@josejosuartel]

I am so glad I came across your demo. Great job. Thank you.

[@waltsreviews90]

You're welcome, glad to help!

[@linxinkai]

Best video for whole house planning! thank you so much!

[@waltsreviews90]

You're welcome!

[@warrineterpening2283]

WOW! and WOW! This one is THE most informative video I have watched on install! That was absolutely AMAZING to have all the how-to's; don't do that! & oops fixes laid out so I know what to watch for before it becomes a fix it. I am thinking you have given us many many hours back! I am by no means OCD--but my house was a flip by cheapskate, "close enough" people so you providing the insight to be able to plan ahead saved me time, money, and kept me from pulling my hair out! Thank you!

[@waltsreviews90]

You're welcome, glad that it helped you save money and time Warrine!

[@mim8173]

Very, very helpful. Thank you very much for your time explaining all this.

[@waltsreviews90]

You're welcome, god luck with the project!

[@dariusz9044]

Great video! lots of research. Extremely helpful in planning my layout and installation. Thank you!!

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem!

[@nazvel7971]

Thank you for this video. Very informative and comprehensive.

[@waltsreviews90]

You're very welcome! Thanks for the kind words.

[@MrDarrinMarshall]

Thanks for the effort you put into making this video. 👏 I want to lay my entire house and now I have a better idea. Thanks.

[@waltsreviews90]

You're welcome and good luck getting it all done!

[@tomcat6933]

Wow I made it thru the whole video. Very detailed. I am getting ready to do my house myself and save about $8k in labor.

[@waltsreviews90]

Glad you are saving money. Good luck!

[@kaikane97]

Great info in this video! Thanks so much. Feeling more confident in my upcoming install.

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem, and good luck!

[@daroldw4606]

Great video that answered my question on transitioning from multiple rooms.

[@ChryslerLeBaro]

THIS is the video I've been looking for! Thank you sir! This is excellent information, well put together. Looking forward to watching anything else you put up. Subscribed, and thank you again!

[@waltsreviews90]

You're welcome, glad to hear it was helpful, and good luck on the flooring!

[@micahkdial]

Literally the best video on how to do this!

[@neiljones2264]

Fantastic upload, thanks so much. Convinced me to do it myself...

[@timkappel2898]

I am getting ready to install about 900 ft in 4 bedrooms and wanted one continuous run with no transitions. This helped out a lot! Thank you so much.

[@waltsreviews90]

Im glad it helped! When I tried to figure out how to do that I couldn't find much which is a big reason I made this video.

[@justinschust5717]

you dont need transitions w LVP onyl laminate

[@chesterstevenson]

Nice video. Well articulated and it's helpful from a DIY perspective.

[@waltsreviews90]

Thanks for the positive comment!

[@deha2585]

Really great video!!! You put a lot a work into it very much appreciated

[@doen.8724]

Such a great video! So informative. Thank you. It doesn't hurt that you are pretty easy on the eyes too. 😉

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem, glad to help!

[@jameslund221]

Really good information, you covered a lot of great points. I’m sharing this video with my boss, I only hope he watches the whole thing. He has a tendency to cut corners and fix mistakes after the fact. Even though I’m going to be laying the floor in his rental, I still have to convince him how it is done correctly. Thanks 🙏

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem, hope this works for him!

[@MrPzrMeyer]

Well done, covering the details and tools! A lacking item from most youtubers. Keep it up!

[@waltsreviews90]

Thanks, always good to know it was helpful. :)

[@JayDawgVader]

AWESOME video, thank you.... getting ready to do most of my house

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem, glad to help!

[@railroadin77]

Great informative video!! Awesome job!!

[@freepilot7732]

48:59 finally someone knows what they are talking about. I've tried to share this point in other video's comments. Thank you.

[@chrisosti]

Killer video brother!!! Excellent info for DIY'ers as well as us pros! Can never stress enough the word "RANDOM"! I've got 10 rooms, 1,800 sf to do, and a bad knee. Should be fun :)

[@bethderrico5259]

I’m most impressed that you still call your friend, “buddy” in the video after finding those mistakes. Friend or foe, I would’ve been using a different term when I found those mistakes! Those mistakes are the very reason I don’t hire friends. You may have saved a little money on install, but wasted materials, and more valuable: time.

[@sabm-g3679]

Thank you so much for that floor website. It was amazing

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem Sabrina!

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

Starting a project in the morning. Thank you

[@waltsreviews90]

Hope it went well!

[@PAR05]

Fantastic work, the information was perfectly explained.

[@waltsreviews90]

Thank you, glad it helped!

[@oscarhidalgo4479]

Thank you 🙏 so much for take the time for this amazing education video !!!appreciate !!!!!

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem Oscar, thank you for watching, I am glad it was helpful.

[@D20Hill]

Best flooring video ive seen. Thanks!

[@waltsreviews90]

You're welcome!

[@waynemascarello8046]

Awesome Video!! I am a finish carpenter by trade and this Video was Amazing!! One thing that I haven't done is install Vinyl Plank Flooring yet and so I have watched a lot of videos. This by far was the Best One!! Thank You!! "Subscribed"

[@waltsreviews90]

Thanks for the kind words, and glad it was helpful!

[@andrepomroy8621]

This is one of the best how to videos!!

[@persephonemaeve2704]

So easy to follow. I’m about to do my whole house. Thanks so much

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem, whole hose is a lot of work, but I am sure you will enjoy your new floor after your done.

[@rflabak]

❤

[@raulferrell8561]

Thanks for this video. I'm also debating to hire somebody to do the work and this helped out a lot. Definitely prepping is key so I've got to look at this video a number of times.

[@waltsreviews90]

I hear you. DIY projects always take a ton of time. Hard to know when the cutoff for hiring someone is

[@doogzlen59]

This was great! Thank you for your time and effort 🤟🏾

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem, good luck with your project!

[@joshuabrunetta4656]

This is an amazing tutorial video. Thanks man you saved a ton of time for a lot of people I’m sure.

[@waltsreviews90]

Glad to help, and good luck with the project!

[@joshuabrunetta4656]

@@waltsreviews90 is there a different process for ‘working backwards’ in the room or does it click in the same way?

[@lancecrane10]

Excellent video. great explanation on centering boards and working backwards.You think like an architect

[@waltsreviews90]

Thanks, glad to help!

[@gilly4willy]

Great Video!! Thanks for all the helpful tips!

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem, thanks for the positive feeback!

[@rorynelson4281]

This is awesome well done sir!

[@ashleyblount7625]

Thank you so much for making this video! I’ve installed individual rooms before but I’m about to start an install on an entire house. This was very helpful!

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem glad it was helpful, that is exactly why I made this when I went to do it I could not find a video that explained more than just 1 room.

[@sivanmichael4790]

Did you already do it? how did it go? I plan to do it on my own too

[@ashleyblount7625]

@@sivanmichael4790 I did! It was for my parent’s home and they love it. It was a lot more work than I had expected though. The house is 2,211 sqft with an open floor plan. So some of my biggest issues were the floor not being level in some spots, the walls weren’t straight and the most frustrating issue was that I went too long without putting a transition strip so it REALLY messed me up. Since it had an open floor plan there wasn’t an obvious spot to put a transition strip. I ended up having to backtrack and like 3 times until I figured out a spot that worked and didn’t look completely ridiculous for a transition strip. It was mainly frustrating because at first I wasn’t sure if my problem was being caused by the unlevel floor, the uneven walls or the lack of a transition strip. I had all three problems but it was a lot of trial and error. The four bedrooms in the house were a breeze though. Super easy after struggling with the rest of the house. It looks beautiful now, my parents are happy and it saved them a lot of money so it was worth all the frustration lol

[@ashleyblount7625]

@@sivanmichael4790 Good luck on your future project as well!

[@mikemarshallcook8267]

Great video the best out of many, many ones I watched 👌

[@waltsreviews90]

Thanks so much!

[@wajeehhuweih5320]

Very informative Thanks sir for sharing valuable ideas and tips

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem, hope they help out.

[@chriswhisenhunt2495]

Awesome video, thanks for sharing.

[@waltsreviews90]

You're welcome!

[@thomasnrogers]

By far the most extensive video I've seen - thanks! One thing I missed and wonder about is "working backwards". I will have places where I'll go through a doorway and have to backtrack 3-4 feet in the other direction. The best I can figure is that I'd be laying out that section as carefully as I can so it's like a big sheet of flooring, and then to lift it up and snap it into the piece that's running through. Hard to explain, and would be nice to see via video:)

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem, glad to help!

[@remoneshak2462]

The most useful video big thank you

[@waltsreviews90]

Glad to help!

[@silverfox__12]

Great video! Thank you so much. In the part where you tried to put a whole piece in a door way horizontally... this can be achieved by bending the plank upward like a rainbow. Then you can get both ends in and push down the plank in the middle.

[@waltsreviews90]

Thanks! Sounds like a good idea, I'm sure the board will eventually snap but I think they got some give to them.

[@bonnycastle139]

Thanks man! This is incredible! Really appropriate

[@waltsreviews90]

No problem!

[@chrisgraham2904]

Very comprehensive! You covered a lot of considerations, tips and tricks that other LVP videos don't cover. As always, the proper planning up front makes the job go so much easier without surprises half way through. I can just add one comment regarding LVP or any other type of floating "click" flooring. I was debating whether to sand and refinish all the 50 year old existing hardwood floors in my home, since they are already there, or whether to install new flooring over them. Refinishing hardwood floors requires the entire floors of the house to be cleared of all furniture, etc, before sanding, repairing, staining and applying multiple coat of polyurethane. You need somewhere else to store everything and each process requires a lengthy time period, compounded by the drying periods between each coat of finish. A "click" floating floor allows you to move furniture to one side of each room to lay half of the room, then move furniture to the new finished floor area to complete the remainder of the room, or you can store in another room while you complete the existing. This is also a much cleaner process without the dust and noxious fumes of refinishing existing floors. Finally, the cost between the two processes is comparable.

[@waltsreviews90]

That is a lot of variables to consider. After 10 months of the LVP I am realizing at least the stuff I got is not as durable as hardwood. Where my office chair wheels rub each day has started to chip the edges of the VLP. I order a floor mat for the chair to prevent this, but unlike hardwood once its chipped you can't restore that plank.

[@chrisgraham2904]

@@waltsreviews90 LVP is available in a number of different qualities from a number of different sources. One assumes that the more expensive will be better quality, but you never know. A floor mat at your office desk is a good investment. We don't realize how much an office chair moves with those small hard wheels during the course of a day. Most floor materials will wear badly under an office chair.