D.I.Y. flooring using adhesive vinyl over tiles

Careful preparation was the key to success in this D.I.Y. vinyl flooring project.

The project

We recently started laying some adhesive vinyl planks in our house. I'd done the research and we settled on Gerflor Senso Natural Lord planks.

We also did the floor preparation to ensure the adhesive planks stuck on well.

There was a fair bit of planning to do (self driven) to ensure everything looked just right and extra care to execute but the results are worthwhile.

We started with the dining room and the kids' area – a good, large space to get used to the process – and then continued to the kitchen area.

That much took us two nights after work – and some sore knees and backs.

Then came the entry and main hallway.

Cleaning and priming the surface, ensuring your tiles are in good condition and level and applying good pressure to ensure the adhesive is activated is absolutely key for anyone thinking of installing these.

I did not remove the skirting but I did leave a couple of millimetres against the skirting for expansion as per instructions.

It was a tricky to decide whether to rip up the tiles. But with a bit of research before we are happy we didn't rip it all up or self-level.

I can't speak much on durability but so far they have been great with water spills, food spills (we have a toddler) and durability. We had trades walk over them for a few days and they are perfectly fine.

We're really happy with the outcome.

Before and after

How to lay vinyl plank flooring

Rufaro (hausdiy_wknder) chose adhesive vinyl planks for his home, but hybrid vinyl flooring is also very popular. Check out our handy guides: How to choose the right type of flooring and How to lay vinyl plank flooring.

More project inspiration for your home

Bunnings Workshop member RenoRach1 used vinyl planks to update her apartment.

Workshop member RAW created a practical new lounge room floor in this D.I.Y. hybrid flooring project.

Dorabulldog brightened her kitchen by bleaching dark parquetry.

Let us know if you need a hand with your own project. Start a discussion and tell us what you need.

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Flooring

Whole of House

Accepted answers

All comments

mich1972

@diy_hausdesigns How are your floors doing ?

diy_hausdesigns

Hi @mich1972

They are good, the foot traffic helped with minor parts that needed pressure down. Overall no issues.

Had to remove some planks to redo part of the floor under after kitchen reno. They were well and truly stuck down!

mich1972

@diy_hausdesigns Thank you for replying 😃 I love what you both do !!!!

Dave-1

Afternoon @diy_hausdesigns

That certainly came up nice and man you guys work fast! 🙂 id be doing a room a night I think, not wole areas in 2 nights 🙂

I would love to hear how they hold up after 6 months. They look so good and I can imagine how they would feel underfoot. When did you put them down?

I certainly think your planning has paid off!

Dave

diy_hausdesigns

Thank you @mich1972, very kind of you ! More backyard updates to come 😀

@Dave-1 we are now just short of 12 months since we installed them. If it counts, they are in great condition even with the destructive force of a toddler apart from a spot where we dropped a cast iron pot !

They do feel warm underfoot too which we love compared to the tiles especially in winter. As long as prep work and install is good, they are a close second to the real deal for me.

Dave-1

Afternoon @diy_hausdesigns

Wow! You just answered both my questions, having a toddler traffic over them is a good test and the scond part I was thinking of but forgot to actually ask. I was thinking "How warm is it underfoot?" They have gone up my list of nah to yeah I think I will consider them when I do my kitchen. I have a mixture of concrete and fllorboards with two layers of tiles at least over the lot of them 😲

Love knowing the usage and how it is standing up.

Thanks

Dave

Tyro

Hi @diy_hausdesigns

I moved into a rental with these already laid. I have a few troubles with adapting to the particular colour they chose as it clashes with all my ideas of an aesthetically pleasing colour scheme! 😂 The colour you have laid looks to have a lot more options. It's a massive job and yours looks terrific! So congratulations on a big job done superbly!

However, the one thing I have found with the ones here is that they tend to get grubby very quickly. I'm having to mop the entire house twice a week. Takes ages! So my advice is to get some big rugs ... vacuuming is much quicker!

Cheers 🤗

Tyro

Hi @Dave-1

If you've seen my earlier post, I too have these. In one half of the house the floor is smooth. The other half is a dodgy addition. The floor must have had either tiles or it was an outdoor cemented area which they have tried to remove and didn't bother smoothing it out. Now it has these tiles in and it's like walking through a mini putt-putt course! Adds alot of 'character' to the place! I asked the guy who laid them and he said he didn't trust the adhesive nature of them so used a glue - I think the thick gooey yellow one the professionals use? And they are now definitely stuck down! 😉 But he did say it took a lot longer than he had thought they would, and the tiles themselves are really heavy. It is possible that these are actually made of rubber though, as I got 2 different answers to that question! Whichever you choose, good luck with the process! But an even floor definitely is the way to go before you start! Have you considered timber?

Cheers 🤗

Dave-1

Afternoon @Tyro

I have timber floors of course lol When I was looking at houses I wanted timber floors. Tho since have realised that the tiles that ar there now that are covering the kitchen and dining room are also covering the old Laundry slab of concrete that the kitchen is now part of. Hence the vinal tiles thought. I wont really know until I pull up the tiles (Once I have saved the $$$$ needed)

At the moment the kitchen is an old particle board built one. Nothing is modular and in reality it has stood up to time, it juts looks and feels dated. The bench is painted particleboard even! If the concrete slab is level with the floorboards (which I supsect it will be) then that vinal planking may come back at least for the kitchen itself.

Dave

kimbaday

This is inspiring and I am about to do it to my house with these exact tiles except in pecan. Can you please tell me how they are holding up being placed over the tiles with no leveling? Have tile lines shown through. I really cannot level on mine beforehand as I have to liv here with animals while doing it. I’m also on a budget so can’t afford underlay. The floor lady at Bunnings told it wasn’t necessary but a coupe of other people have said it’s necessary. I’d rather get the advice of someone who has done it and is living with them and walking on them every day. Thank you!!!!

JacobZ

Hi @kimbaday,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community.

Allow me to tag Rufaro (@diy_hausdesigns) so he is notified of your questions.

Hopefully, he will respond shortly.

In the meantime, if there is anything I can assist with, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Jacob

diy_hausdesigns

Hi @kimbaday

I went back and forth as you have trying to figure that out. The tile lines show up in some areas (my tiles were really badly laid) but it's very subtle. If I had more time and bigger budget I would have self leveled but for value for money and my time it's more than fine.

The tiles themselves are super durable and have lasted really well. Also no lifting peeling or anything despite even flooding my laundry at one point.

Hope this helps !

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