Top tips for kitchen flooring

A kitchen is the heart of any home – it’s where you cook, eat and gather at a party! It’s also an expensive investment if you want to update it.  Your flooring plays a vital role in completing the look of your kitchen and it is a much more cost effective way of creating a new look in a short amount of time for a much lower spend.

Click vinyl is an excellent choice to revamp your kitchen, no matter what the size, giving you the style of either wooden, herringbone or tiled floors but with the practical benefits of being waterproof and warm under foot. 

Here we share our top tips for when you’re updating the flooring in your kitchen using click vinyl flooring:

Planning and measuring 

It is vital to get this part right or you could end up with too much or too little flooring,  Consider your kitchen layout, where are the big spaces and where will space be tight and could cause an issue.

Careful measuring is key here, and we would recommend measuring and then measuring again to make sure!  Any professional flooring company will have guides to help with measuring and if this is too tricky then calling in a professional might be your best option.

Find the right flooring for your project

Samples are a great way to check the colour and pattern of your flooring and to check it will match and compliment the rest of the room.  PRO-TEK™ offer free samples on all flooring simply, order your samples on  our website.

Preparation

Whilst there is minimum preparation required when using click vinyl, your subfloor will need to be clean, level, dry and free of any debris,  It is best practice to ensure that any cracks or bumps or imperfections are repaired to ensure the surface is as smooth as possible.  On some occasions you may need to use a self-levelling compound.

Acclimitisation

Once you have received your planks, it is vital to allow them to acclimatise to their environment by leaving it in the room where it will be fitted for at least 48 hours prior to installation.  This will allow the flooring to get used to the kitchen’s humidity and temperature and provide time for it to contract or expand which will cause buckling or gaps to form in between the planks once installed.

Installation

It’s a good idea to check the manufacturer’s instructions before you start and follow any guidelines or recommendations.

Begin the installation in a straight line to give you a reference point.  This reference line will work as a guide for laying the rest of the planks, a good place to start would be to fit the first row along the longest wall in the room. 

Avoid gaps between the planks

Make sure you are securely fitting your planks into place and ensure a tight fit by paying close attention to the ‘click’ sound made by the locking mechanism of your click vinyl planks.

Measuring and cutting

Measure your floor and around corners, kitchen cupboards or any obstacles and then measure again!  Accuracy in your measuring means you will minimise any waste.

If you don’t have a vinyl cutter, you can use a sharp utility knife to ensure precision cuts and clean lines.

Pattern

Consider the pattern your flooring will take on and stagger the end joints of the planks in the adjacent rows.  Not only will this create a great look for your floor, it will also help to prevent the seams from being visible and create a more stable fit.

Expansion gaps

Naturally your click vinyl planks will expand and contract due to any temperature changes or humidity which is a likely occurrence in a kitchen.

It is recommended to leave a gap around the perimeter of the room, typically around 6mm.

Finishing touches

Use a matching colour end bar to cover expansion gaps and transition strips in doorways and areas where your new click vinyl flooring will meet another type of flooring.  PRO-TEK™has exact match accessories to finish off the floor for a perfect and professional touch for all flooring colours.

Keep your workspace tidy

Cleaning as you go will help to give you that immaculate finish.  Removing any debris or dirt from the planks as you fit them will help to keep the subfloor clear for the next plank.

Once complete you can walk on your new flooring within minutes!  

Remember as well, regular maintenance of your flooring, ensuring it is regularly cleaned following the manufacturer’s instructions, means your flooring will look as good as new for as long as you need it.