How to Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring?[7 Steps]

Vinyl flooring planks are all the same length, as opposed to the random-length hardwood planks found in other flooring types.

This can result in unusual joint patterns that are both eye-catching and not in a positive way.

Because of this, many people ask themselves, “How do I stagger vinyl plank flooring?”

If you do this incorrectly, your floor will appear to have been built by a novice.

If you get the vinyl plank flooring arrangement just right, your friends will have no idea that you made it yourself.

You will find a list of the tools and supplies you will need for this process, as well as the typical pricing for each item, in the section below.

As well as demonstrating how to properly stagger your vinyl flooring, we will also walk you through the process step by step.

It is not only the LVT staggered pattern that is significant.

Staggering vinyl flooring also helps to maintain the structural integrity of the floor, minimizing the likelihood of problems such as plank bowing, separating, or warping.

See Also:

How to Stagger Laminate Flooring?

How Much Laminate Flooring Do I Need

Things You’ll Need to Get By

• Carpet shears, also known as carpet snips
• A measuring tape
• Knife for everyday use
• T-square (also known as speed square)

Tip

Replace the utility knife blades on a regular basis.

The vinyl planks have jagged edges because the blade is dull.

There should be a gap of roughly 1/8 inch around the edge of the room to accommodate this.

This space allows for the expansion and contraction of the planks as a result of temperature fluctuations, and it also helps to prevent the boards from buckling.

They’ll come in handy later.

These planks can be used on the other side of the room when you need shorter pieces as you got closer to the walls.

When measuring and cutting, place the planks on top of the packaging paper.

The wrapping paper shields the adhesive strips from damage and keeps the strips from collecting dust and debris while you are working.

Warning

Ensure that your planks are stored in the room where they are to be installed for at least 48 hours before installing them.

It will take some time for the planks to become acclimated to the humidity and temperature of the room.

Failure to properly acclimatize the planks to the surrounding environment may result in warping or buckling of the planks after they have been installed.

“Off-gassing” is the term used to describe the chemical odor that vinyl planks emit for a few hours or days after installation.

Open the windows to allow fresh air to circulate and reduce the stink.

Step-by-Step Guide To Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring

For a staggered pattern on your new vinyl floor, follow the procedures outlined in this guide.

Step 1: Taking Out the Old Flooring

You may have to remove the present flooring if you’re remodeling a room, so plan ahead of time.

While it is possible to install vinyl flooring directly on top of tile or sheet vinyl, it is necessary to remove the carpeting before putting vinyl.

If you have to remove the existing flooring, you’ll need some additional tools, such as pliers, a pry bar, a hammer, and possibly a screwdriver to complete the job.

If you want to make this operation go more quickly, cut the carpet into shorter strips that will be easier to manage with your utility knife.

The only thing left after removing the carpet and pad are tack strips and probably some staples that were used to keep down the carpet pad in place.

The tack strips will be easy to remove with a pry bar, but the staples will require the use of pliers to pull up.

Once the carpet and fasteners have been removed, be sure that none of the nails or screws that were used to secure the flooring are protruding.

If they are, hammer or screw them into place so that they will not interfere with the new planks.

Step 2: Preparing the Planks

Allow your vinyl flooring to acclimatize by leaving it out in the room where you intend to install it for a few days after it has been delivered.

This is necessary due to the fact that vinyl is sensitive to temperature variations.

Organize the boards from each box so that they form a random pattern before you begin installing them.

Take a measurement across the room where you will be installing the plank flooring to determine the length of the flooring.

After that, you’ll need to know how wide the planks are.

Divide the length of the room by the width of the planks, making sure to leave a 14-inch gap on either side of the floor to allow for expansion and contraction.

This will tell you how many rows of planks you’ll need to finish the room and how long it will take.

Ideally, the final board should not have even the slightest stripe running through it, but instead should be a solid strip of wood.

Cutting down the boards for your first row may be necessary in order to have at least a half-width plank for your last row.

Cut planks with a straight edge and a utility knife to score the planks and then snap them together if you have to do so.

Check that the tongue side has been removed before proceeding, as the groove side will be required during the assembly process.

Step 3: Become acquainted with H-joints and step patterns

When racking or staggering boards, you want to make sure that the pieces are laid down as randomly as possible to avoid the formation of step patterns and H-joints in the final product.

When it comes to installing vinyl flooring, the most typical rookie blunders are the ones that look like this and this.

In the case of a first-row plank end joint that corresponds with an end joint in the third-row planks, this is known as an H-joint.

The development of an H pattern is the result of this action.

As a result of this pattern, the floor‘s aesthetics are diminished, and it will be obvious that the floor was not professionally installed.

One such common blunder to watch out for is the step pattern.

When the spacing between the first and second row is replicated on the third row, the pattern is formed.

This results in a regular pattern rather than the random, staggered design that you were hoping to achieve.

Step 4: Understanding the Spacing Rules

Staggering is all about putting the boards in the right place at the right time.

Once you’ve determined how much space should be left between the end joints of neighboring plank rows, you’ll have addressed half of the problem of racking vinyl planks in your storage area or warehouse.

Generally speaking, it is advised that the gap between the end-joints of neighboring rows be approximately 6 inches, however, this will vary depending on the size of the planks being used.

Due to the fact that vinyl planks are commonly 2 to 3 inches broad, the 6-inch spacing guideline would be applicable.

However, if your planks are broader, you can extend the spacing to a maximum of 10 inches, although 8 inches is the best distance between each plank.

The likelihood of an H-joint being formed increases when the gap between the two pieces is greater than 10 inches.

Step 5: Calculate the number of planks you will require

Using a tape measure, measure the width and length of each wall in the room where you intend to lay the vinyl plank flooring.

The number of planks required to cover the entire floor can be calculated by multiplying the width of the room by the width of the planks.

Additionally, you will be able to estimate the correct size of the planks in the start and last rows using this calculation—both of these planks must be the same size in order to create a suitable staggered pattern.

If you discover that the planks on the last row are set to be smaller than the planks on the previous row, you will have to trim the planks on the first row to match the size of the planks on the last row.

Step 6: Installing the First Board

Take the first board out of the stack and place it on the table.

Then, using a utility knife, trim the tongue from the meat.

Install the plank so that the tongue-and-groove side is facing the wall.

Remember to leave a 14-inch gap between the vinyl planks and the walls when you are putting them up.

This area allows the planks to expand and compress without buckling as a result of temperature changes.

Install one plank at a time after the first one is down, continuing until you have covered the entire length of the wall with planks.

Cut a small piece of wood from the first plank to allow the last piece in the row to be longer than 6 inches if the last plank in the row is less than 6 inches.

If the last piece in the row is less than 6 inches, cut a small piece of wood from the first plank to allow the last piece in the row to be longer than 6 inches.

Keep the offcuts and use them to begin the next row of stitches.

Step 7: Install the second-row planks

Start the second row with the plank that was leftover from the first row.

Lay the plank down, making sure that the end of the plank is at least 6 inches away from the closest joint in the first row.

This arrangement enables you to stagger the first and second rows, as well as the subsequent rows, in the order in which they appear.

When you reach the end of the second row, you can cut the plank to make it fit the remaining space.

It is not necessary to use the offcut to begin staggering the third row because doing so will result in a pattern that is identical to the step pattern that you were attempting to avoid in the first place.

In order to begin the third row, begin by selecting a full plank and cutting it into pieces of varying lengths that provide a minimum spacing of 6 inches between adjacent joints.

Take caution not to build an H-joint in your design.

The offcut from the second row should be used to begin the fourth row.

The offcut from the third row can be used to begin the fifth row if desired.

To begin the sixth row, cut a new plank to a random length from the previous one.

Make use of the offcut from the fourth row to complete the seventh row.

Continue in this manner until the vinyl plank flooring has been installed throughout the entire room, if necessary.

That is all there is to it when it comes to staggering vinyl floor planking.

Tips that are more in-depth

If you are installing vinyl planking over an existing floor, be sure that the subfloor has been properly prepared to ensure that the planks adhere properly and do not easily fall apart during installation.

Fill up any low spots, sand down any high parts, and vacuum to remove any dirt or debris that has accumulated.

Remove the baseboards and any other casing that is surrounding the walls to prepare the space.

Leaving a distance between the floating vinyl floors and the wall itself will allow you to save money on installation costs.

Additionally, you should plan on trimming the door jambs to make it easier to install the flooring in all areas of the room.

In order to preserve vinyl planks from moisture when they are installed on concrete, it is a good idea to use a water and thermal-proof underlayment to protect the planks. Inquire with your manufacturer about the most effective insulation.

Our Final Thoughts

A staggering pattern is created by putting vinyl planks that have been cut at random lengths to form a staggering pattern at the end joints of adjacent rows of vinyl planks, which is a procedure known as vinyl plank installation.

The practice is typically carried out during the installation of Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVF) to achieve a more natural appearance with increased visual appeal.

Frequently Ask Questions