How to Install a Vinyl Deck Floor

Inspect the deck joists and support areas to ensure no nails or screws are protruding from the surface. Run a level across the support pieces to ensure they are completely flat.

Sand or grind down areas of the joists that protrude or sit higher than the rest of the support pieces. For low areas, fill in gaps or dips with cement floor leveler mixed up with water to create a concrete-like consistency. Allow all repair work to dry overnight before continuing.

Clean the support structure with a rag dampened in mineral spirits to remove sanding and grinding dust, dirt, mud and other contaminants. These contaminants can change the way the adhesive bonds with the support surface and can lead to a poor hold on the vinyl decking.

Measure out the width of the vinyl decking material and mark the location of each edge with chalk on the support structure. If one edge of the vinyl material does not end on a support area (if it dangles between beams or joists), trim the vinyl with a sharp utility knife to make it fit. The edges must be firmly attached to support structures.

Spread a 1-inch layer of latex flooring cement over the support areas that the first roll will cover. Allow the adhesive to cure to tackiness; consult specific product instructions for details, as different products will require different times for this.

Roll the first piece of vinyl over the glued areas to cover the deck. Apply smooth, even pressure over all areas to fully bond the vinyl flooring to the adhesive on the support structure. Stretch it from one end of the deck to the other.

Roll over the decking material with a 100 lb. floor roller to ensure it bonds fully. Trim off excess vinyl decking material with a sharp utility knife if necessary.

Overlap rolls of vinyl decking floor material by ½ inch as necessary wherever you use multiple rolls. Glue the overlapping areas firmly. Continue to glue and roll until you have covered the whole deck.

Seal the seams between overlapping decking material with a heat gun and handheld roller. Set the heat gun on high heat and hold it 2 to 3 inches over the seam. Melt the top vinyl decking to bond with the bottom. Use the roller to spread out the melted material over the joints for a firm seal. Repeat until every seam is sealed.