Strip old flooring, level the subfloor, lay vinyl, then fit a threshold, trim the door and seal the skirting gap.
AB-01Clear the room and strip the old flooringEmpty the room, move appliances and unscrew any door if it blocks access. Follow the guide 'Remove old vinyl or lino' to lift the existing floor covering and clean the subfloor underneath. If the house is pre-2000 and the old vinyl or its backing looks old and black, stop and get it checked before you cut into it, as some older flooring materials can contain asbestos. Bag up waste as you go so the room stays walkable.
RULES4 each · Heavy-duty rubble sacks 2 each · FFP3 disposable mask KNOW THE RULES
Suspected asbestos in old flooring or adhesive is not a DIY job. Get a specialist survey and removal rather than scraping or sanding it yourself.
AB-02Level the subfloor and let it cureFollow the guide 'Level a floor before laying new flooring' to fill dips and cracks and bring the surface flat. Before you drill any fixings into the floor, check for pipes and cables with a detector, and still expect to find something even in an unlikely spot. Self-levelling compound usually needs 24 to 48 hours to cure fully, so plan this as its own day and don't walk on it early.
2 bag · Self-levelling compound (20kg bag) AB-03Lay the new vinyl sheetOnce the levelling compound is fully cured and dry, follow the guide 'Lay sheet vinyl flooring' to cut, fit and stick down the new floor. Work in a warm room, ideally above 15°C, as cold vinyl is stiffer and harder to shape into corners. Leave the vinyl in the room for at least 24 hours beforehand so it settles to room temperature.
1 room pack · Sheet vinyl flooring 1 tub · Vinyl flooring adhesive 1 roll · Double-sided flooring tape AB-04Fit the door threshold stripFollow the guide 'Fit a door threshold strip between two floors' to cover the join where the new vinyl meets the floor in the next room. Check for cables and pipes with a detector before drilling any fixing holes, even along a doorway where you wouldn't expect them. Fit this once the vinyl is fully bedded in, not before.
1 each · Door threshold strip 1 pack · Wall plugs and screws AB-05Trim the door if it now catchesNew flooring often raises the floor height slightly, so the door may stick or drag on the new surface. If it does, follow the guide 'Trim the bottom of a door' to take the door off its hinges and shave the bottom edge down. Check the gap with the door closed before you cut, and remove a little at a time rather than guessing the full amount.
1 pack · Fine-grit sandpaper AB-06Seal the skirting-to-floor gap and finishFollow the guide 'Seal the gap between skirting and floor' to run a neat bead of sealant around the room where the new vinyl meets the skirting. This stops water getting under the edges in kitchens and bathrooms and gives a tidy finish. Let the sealant cure for the time stated on the tube, usually 24 hours, before mopping the new floor.
2 tube · Flexible decorator's sealant Travis Perkins and Tooled Up links are affiliate links: if you buy after clicking, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. B&Q and Amazon links are plain searches and earn us nothing.
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