How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring | Ask This Old House

In this video, Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner replace a dated vinyl kitchen floor with a more modern product, complete with an updated look.

Carpenter Nathan Gilbert goes on a house call as he helps a homeowner dealing with a dated kitchen floor. After explaining to Kevin what goes into planning a floor, such as materials and subflooring, he heads to the home to lend a hand.

Skill: ⅖
Cost: Around $500, depending on floor size
Time: One day

Materials:
Note: It's a good idea to let the new flooring acclimate to the humidity in your home. Open the packages and give the product a day or two to adjust before laying the floor.

Tools:

Where to find it?

William C. Gilbert Carpentry provided expert assistance with this segment.

About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. Ask This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring | Ask This Old House

[SgtZima]

Jesus, that’s a mullet-and-handlebar combo for the ages!

[thenightporter]

Mike seems like the dream employee: hard worker, honest, doesn't question; just does the job and does it well.

[fcruzcba]

When I saw the mullet thumbnail on the video I had to watch and it the floor looks good.

[johanizquierdo]

Great demo however the tapping block can sometimes damage the plank at the ends. Instead you can use an off cut piece as a tapping block just make sure it’s locked in 👌🏼👌🏼

[Snarkbar]

One of the most awesomely capable home owners I've ever seen on this channel...with one of the most confused looks on his face the entire time, hahaha.

[GrampalettasCamp]

Great demonstration but I wish they would add give more commentary on technique while demonstrating. I taught by talking in “stream of consciousness” while demonstrating and asked students to do the same back to me so I knew they understood what they needed to know. It’s the little techniques and reason for them that you might not pick up in a video but could get with more verbal explanation!

[stevendavanna]

Same with tommy. He’s the man, would love to be like him one day. He’s the inspiration, I’ve always wanted to become a carpenter / I’m 15 years old and since I was about 3 I would be stealing my dads tools and trying to help him on jobs because he’s a carpenter aswell. I’ll leave school soon and become a carpenter, and Tommy inspires me more and more everyday to become a carpenter 🖤

[garybarchas]

I really enjoy Nathan Gilbert. He comes across as a nice guy and able to put his knowledge to good use.

[QuarterZipBro]

That is one serious mullet. This video will go viral in no time, bro.

[scotts]

F yeah mikes a true newenglenda’ with that mullet

[JosephMaiz]

I JUST did this last weekend - pulled the single sheet vinyl and luan; fixed the sub floor, then added in the foam and the vinyl planks on top - came out awesome. Worth the investment - thanks for the video gang.

[robertmesserschmidt]

Have never enjoyed a flooring video like I enjoyed this one. Two guys working, minimal talking.

[guy_chillin]

I have some of this flooring in my basement office. Very great look and durable. Best part is that it's easy to pop off and pop on a new piece if something is damaged because there's no glue or grout to mess with.

[benjyfin]

Richard your spot on I think. Clear the room, including kick boards and end panels and all this gets refitted on top of the floor

[joegibes]

Nice, not bad! Cheap, compact, 18V... Seems good as a jobsite/bench blower for things you don't wanna haul out a big blower for.

[anthonysmith]

Nathen is a cool guy…..he will definitely keep this old house going!

[davidcheung]

Should really mix the planks with different boxes so there's no noticeable difference when transitioning to a new box. Most companies have different print runs on the planks, so mixing planks from different boxes helps randomize the pattern. Like Nathan said about letting vinyl acclimate even though not totally necessary, best practice.

[Off-Grid]

We put a LOT of this down in our off-grid home. About as easy as putting in anything else but the wider ones, 12x24 size, seem to raise up more than the smaller size of around 6x36. Still looks great though.

[SawMan]

Business in the front party in the back. Awesome Mike.

[JonnyDIY]

Is that Lawrence from "Office Space"!?! 🤣💕👍