The MOST CLEVER Way to Start the First Rows | Vinyl Plank Installation

in this video I share The MOST CLEVER Way to Start the First Rows of your Vinyl Plank Installation.

Here are the links I mentioned in the video -

[nauscakes]

Handyman videos really are one of those things that restores one's faith in humanity. It's just people being helpful. No clickbait. No gimmick. Just raw kindness.

[Purepresa]

I absolutely love the fact that you don’t have any stupid music playing in the background!!
Great job!!

[theelectricunicyclist]

Watching your videos gave me the confidence to vinyl plank my 1, 200' house. It came out perfect, thanks to your help. Thanks Joe!

[Ed-dero]

Joe, I must say that I have seen many videos on how to install vinyl flooring and I found none as good as your videos. You explain the jigs that you use to lay down you’re flooring. The jig set-up you use to secure the floor down. The reference line you use to check for straighten the planks.
All this little know-how helps someone to install their vinyl floor with ease. All your videos are great, very infirmity and great to watch. If you are looking to learn.

[kenetic]

I learned a lot from watching these and I’m in the trades. We went with a 12 mm wood composite flooring. The thin vinyl seems too cheap to us. Joe taught me the best way to layout a floor.

[kranerwheatens]

I appreciate the videos over the years. Your vids are the best over all the others. imo. I'm finally doing my floors. About 75% done atm. Burned through the last of jigsaw blades. I ended up using an angle grinder with a metal concrete blade. Definitely easier/quicker and a lot straighter cuts than the jigsaw. Also didn't have a good tapper block. Just the generic black tapping block and hammer. After smashing my fingers a couple times and slipping and ruining a couple Ended up just using a speed square. I was using it to cut end pieces using a utility knife so its right there and handy. Works well. For the long cuts I am using my table saw.

[dmockracey]

Just wanted to thank you I watched some of your videos and was able to install a few rooms of LVP. Most important is a solid, flat/level subfloor.

[AxGryndr]

Perfect timing! I am about to start laying planks in my kitchen after having watched most of your videos. With you expertise, I feel confident that this is a job that I can do, and do well. Thanks!

[albertm]

Excellent video. I’ve used your videos as a guide when I did the second floor of my daughter and son in laws home. Made a world of difference after watching your videos, thanks again! 👍

[BrittanyDegregorio]

Joe this tip saved the day when I had a wavy wall yesterday!!! Can’t thank you enough!! No tears today 🤣🤣

[Rattletrap]

This video completely changes the whole game. If you have never installed this flooring watch this video! It will save you so much time & make the installation a whole lot easier

[blaster-zyxx]

I did three rooms by following these instructions and it turned out great! The best tips are how to plan out the first row and plan out how NOT to have a small sliver opening at the other end of the room. It also helped since I had a doorway at the first row, and needed to cut the first row back so the first row would go into the doorway about an inch or so. Joe really knows what he is doing. Thanks Joe!

[dwaynepickett]

I just want to say thank you I've watched all of your laminate University videos it's helped me tremendously in my business I was a newbie when I moved to Georgia when it come to plank flooring your videos help me become a professional and only say professional because I've seen a lot of flooring that other people has done and does not look as good as what you taught me thank you so much again

[mamasmiles]

I am so grateful for your videos! I've watched several of your videos, and with your help, I was able to feel confident in laying laminate flooring for the first time. I had done a SMALL bathroom in vinyl plank before watching this, and got SO frustrated, didn't really get quite the finish I wanted, which is what drove me to YouTube. So glad that I found your channel!! It made the project so much easier; it went together fairly flawlessly! I do wish I'd went ahead and ordered the Plank Hammer...it would have made the project a little easier, I am sure.

THANK YOU for teaching in such a clear way, and giving us all the tips for easy installation!

Great video!! Gluing sacrificial pieces on the first row worked wonderfully for my install on concrete. I snapped a chalk line but my room was almost perfectly square so the chalk line was really used as a nice check of my work when my planks reached the line. I recommend planning how your last row will meet the opposite wall so you aren’t left with a thin strip.

[decosse]

I love your guides and tips Joe, you explain processes extremely well. Much appreciated!
Starting line for my project is the one that is making me nervous - because opposite my preferred starting wall, I have a stair going down (so essentially that main floor is a giant 'landing' level and needs a stair nosing strip to finish it). Between this video and the one from about a year ago (measuring from door transition back to the starting point) that will give me good confidence to start it in the right location. It's a very wide section, so the 10 plank trick is essential to get the layout width exact. I'm a convert to Flooret after seeing your reviews on their products, but important to note their stated width on Silvan spec sheet is NOT correct, so measuring 10 planks is definitely good way to go for anyone. I'm planning to give myself an extra 1/4" over, since it HAS to overhang the edge - It can be long but absolutely cannot be short! :)

[nottoday]

very informative, always appreciate seeing real craftsmanship. well done

[braddixon]

Man, you sure make that look a lot easier than I've had experience wise. Your first row stop block is a game changer for sure, that is (one of) the areas I struggled with in the past, getting that darn first row to stay where it needs to be while the rest are seated up against it. It also seems your planks go together way easier than those I've purchased from Home Depot, those darn things, at least for me, need to be jammed together pretty hard to get them to lock in place. I like your way of starting at the far end of the plank and walking backwards to seat it down towards the preceding but joint. I'd be curious to learn more from you about how you level your sub floor before putting down planking, and how you cut the long edge of a plank. Thanks for your great videos.

[RobertConnollyOATS]

What determined where you snapped your chalk line?

[maddog]

Excellent video. Getting that first row set is very overwhelming for many of us diyer's, it takes a lot of second guessing and self confidence before I can get started on my projects, but once I get rolling it goes like clockwork. It just takes so long to get started because I'm constantly measuring and worried about getting it straight. This will be a game changer for me. Thanks and keep the tips coming!