We strongly recommend customers be home when the installers first arrive. This allows the installers to review the materials with you and confirm installation areas and if need be, the contractor may ask where they can set up a saw/work station to make cuts (if applicable). Be assured, they will use drop cloths to protect nearby furniture and delicate items.
The installers will need to remove the existing floors and it should be known that they will have to use tools like saws, crow bars and even scrapers that will generate noise, dust and may cause nail pops in the ceiling below. Once the existing floor is removed, they may need to install new plywood for existing wood subfloors or a patch/skim coat on concrete subfloors. Proper subfloor prep is required by the manfucaturers and helps reduce the visibility of slight variations, dips or humps in the floor.
Once everything is prepped the installers will begin installing your new floor. Vinyl floors can be installed as a direct glue down or floating method. The main differences apply to the look and feel of the flooring once installed. Direct glue down is more permanent while floating can move a bit under foot (deflection). Your estimator will review and select the appropriate installation method with you prior to the installers’ arrival.
What's Next? Read about what to expect after the installation process!