How to Install a Vinyl Rug

Detach doors, side-wall paneling and any other fixtures that may obstruct your ability to install the new vinyl floor. The most common tools used for this procedure include a screwdriver, crow bar and wrench. Leave all detached fixtures outside of the room.

Clean off the floor in preparation for the vinyl floor installation. Use water and a clean towel to wipe away any dirt or debris.

Inspect the floor for any imperfections such as cracks and dents. Fill these gaps with silicone caulking to create an even floor. Over time, these imperfections show through the vinyl flooring. Eliminate this possibility by removing all gaps in the flooring immediately.

Place the vinyl flooring in the room for 24 hours. This allows the vinyl to acclimate to the room's environment. The vinyl naturally expands or contracts while in the room, a process that occurs due to exposure to heat, cold and moisture.

Create a scale outline of the room's floor plan with a marker and a large sheet of graph paper. Use your home's blueprints or floor plans to create the scale outline. Next, outline the scale on the vinyl flooring but with a 2-inch frame all around. This extra vinyl ensures you do not cut any area to short. All excess vinyl can be removed later.

Place the vinyl into the room. Lay it down as flat as possible. Cut a "V" shape into the areas where the vinyl meets a wall corner. This helps the vinyl lay flat against the walls and the floor. Continue this process until the vinyl remains flat.

Pick up one-half of the vinyl and apply the manufacturer's suggested adhesive underneath and around the corners. When finished, place the vinyl back down and firmly push it against the floor. This helps produce a bond between the vinyl and the floor. Repeat this step for the other side.

Remove any wrinkles and other imperfections in the vinyl with a floor roller. Roll this tool over the floor to even it out.

Cut away all excess vinyl flooring with a pair of scissors. Leave a space of about 1/8 inch wide between the walls and the vinyl flooring. This compensates for expansion during hot weather.