Prepare a dry, flat concrete floor, then cut, fit and stick sheet vinyl for a smooth, tidy finish.
SV-01Clear the room and check the floorRemove furniture, rugs and the old floor covering if there is one. Pull up gripper rods, staples or old adhesive residue so the concrete is bare. Sweep and vacuum thoroughly, then check the surface for cracks, dips or high spots by eye and with a straight edge.
SV-02Test the concrete for dampConcrete floors can hold moisture even when they look dry, and vinyl laid over a damp floor will lift or smell musty. Tape a small square of clear plastic sheet to the floor overnight and check underneath for condensation the next day, or use a damp meter if you have one. If the floor feels cold and damp, or the test shows moisture, deal with this before laying vinyl.
SV-03Fill cracks and level the floorFill any cracks or small holes with a floor filler and let it cure fully. If the floor has dips or high spots over 3mm, apply a self-levelling latex screed following the bag instructions, then leave it to cure for the time stated. Vinyl is thin and will show every bump in the concrete underneath, so this step matters.
SV-04Fit a damp-proof membrane if the floor tested dampIf your damp test showed moisture, roll out a liquid or sheet damp-proof membrane (DPM) over the whole floor before laying vinyl. Follow the product instructions for coats and drying time. Skip this step if the floor tested dry.
SV-05Measure the room and cut the vinyl roughly to sizeMeasure the room's longest and widest points and add 100mm extra on each side for trimming. Unroll the vinyl sheet in a larger space if you can, such as a hallway or garage, and cut it roughly to size with a straight edge and sharp utility knife. Carry the sheet flat or loosely rolled to avoid creasing it.
SV-06Let the vinyl relax in the roomLay the roughly cut sheet flat in the room and leave it for at least 24 hours at normal room temperature. This lets the vinyl relax and settle to the room's shape and size before final cutting, so it lies flat afterwards instead of bulging at the edges.
SV-07Trim to fit the walls, doorways and pipesPush the sheet into the corners and press it against the skirting with a flat filling knife to mark the cut line. Trim the edges with a sharp knife, working slowly and checking the fit as you go. For doorways and pipes, cut a paper template first, then transfer the shape onto the vinyl and cut it out.
SV-08Stick the vinyl downFor most rooms, fold back half the sheet and spread vinyl flooring adhesive on the concrete with a notched trowel, then press the vinyl back down and smooth it with a flooring roller working from the centre outwards. Repeat for the other half. In low-traffic rooms you can use double-sided flooring tape around the edges and at seams instead of full adhesive.
SV-09Fit threshold bars and refit skirtingScrew or clip a threshold bar across doorways to cover the raw edge of the vinyl and stop it lifting. If you removed skirting boards earlier, refit them now, or fit quadrant beading along the wall edge to hide the cut line neatly.
SV-10Clean up and let the floor settleWipe away any adhesive residue from the surface with a damp cloth before it dries hard. Keep foot traffic light for 24 hours and avoid dragging furniture across the new floor. Once fully set, replace furniture using felt pads on the legs to protect the vinyl.