Prices, promotions, styles, and availability may vary. I really wanted an easier system then what I was using so I gave it a try. H X 3.5 in. Not only do they space out 1/4 in. The Roberts 35 lb. items. This list includes everything you may need to install your flooring. I have two of these and they both get a lot of use. Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years. To remove the brads from the trim, pull them straight through the molding from the backside, using pliers. I save myself a couple of thousand dollars a year on the cost of miter saw blades. This relies on adhesive to stick the vinyl planks or tiles to the sub-floor. The cutting guide locks into place for accurate angle cuts and is easy to maintain perfectly square cuts, even after years of use. And that level surface is just as important for click-and-lock flooring. Password must be a minimum of 6 characters. Below you will find many of the tools, supplies and materials that I use everyday for my installations. WOW!!! L Steel Tile Nipper 1 pk, QEP 8 in. Handle is removable for convenient storage. Vinyl plank flooring can usually be laid right over existing flooring. See Details, I am interested in: (check all that apply). The 10-960 seam roller is 8 in. Great for laminate and wood flooring installation, the Roberts Pro Pull Bar helps reduce seams between planks in tight spaces that can't be reached with a tapping block. Here is another one a little less expensive and is also a great pull bar. These will be the last pair of knee pads you will ever need to buy. This all in one spacer makes custom flooring jobs easy and won't tip over during installation. L Carbide Grout Saw 1 pk, QEP 1.5 in. All of these features combine for reliable, professional results with easy maneuverability on the job site. But note that not every item will be essential for every installation. If you decide you want to use these links, I want to thank you for helping me out!! The information contained on whatisvinyl.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This extra power is great not only for cutting laminate and engineered wood but also for cutting a variety of other flooring materials such as carpet tile, vinyl flooring, vinyl siding, VCT tiles, rubber, foam and more. W X 13 in. Expansion joints and thresholds leave a perimeter around your plank floors for expanding and contracting without buckling, increasing the longevity of your installation. Select 2 or more products for side-by-side feature comparison. W X 6 in. Some people, however, prefer to use a miter saw for this. As with wooden floors, youll want to avoid trying to lay small pieces of flooring. You can click on the images or text to go to the links for each of these. L Steel Tile File 1 pk, QEP 2 in. For low spots, use a floor leveling compound. Then just simply attach each piece to the next using tape. The last thing you want is to have squeezed out lots of glue, only to find you have nothing to spread it with! H X 15.74 in. This unique multi-sided tapping black protects flooring tongue or edge during installation one side works with vinyl tile, and the other side works with hardwood planks and laminate flooring. The nozzle can be reused if cleaned after each use. When it comes to vinyl flooring there are two basic types of installation. H X 0.77 in. Get everything together at the start of your project, and youll save yourself a lot of frustration during installation. wide and 4 mm thick. If the trim is still in good shape after removal, set it aside for re-installation after the floor has been installed. Emily has been a proofreader and editor at a variety of online media outlets over the past decade. The 28-1/2 in. This is the impact screw gun I use and I like it! At the final planks in a row, the end butt joints can be tricky to fit. The Zippers are still strong as ever and there is not one rip or tear in this thing. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. W Carbide Grout Removal Tool 1 pk, QEP 1 in. Believe me, I have definetely put it to the test where I feel it should have overheated. A utility knife will work well for thicker vinyl plank flooring too. This is the tool that I use to cut the lip off the female tongue. The ROBERTS VCT Seam Roller is essential to complete any vinyl composition tile (VCT) and sheet vinyl flooring installation, and is suitable for wall base installations. I really dont use blades that are designed for laminate. The large cutting table stabilizes longer planks while the long handle provides extra leverage for additional cutting power. This extra power is great, not only for cutting laminate and engineered wood, but also for cutting a variety of other flooring materials such as LVT flooring, VCT tiles, MDF baseboard and rubber or foam tiles. This offer is valid for orders shipped within the contiguous U.S. only, and does not apply to shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or international orders. Starting a row with part of a tile instead of a whole one can avoid the need to finish with a small segment. The second type of flooring is interlocking planks. At the far wall, the last row of planks may need to be trimmed lengthwise to fit. After making the cutouts, first attach the plank to the adjoining plank while holding the cut-out plank upward, at an angle. This offer typically excludes these products and categories: For more information on shipping, please refer to our Shipping Policy. Door case molding is relatively easy to remove and replace, and doing this makes for an easier, cleaner installation. I use this method in areas where it is hard to get the planks together. I love this tool!!! I usually use this light in situations that a cord is not used. The new ROBERTS Multi Flooring guillotine-style cutters are manufactured to cut precise, clean-edges on all types of flooring materials. And some people simply use a sharp pair of scissors. Register with an email address and password. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Now that youve laid your flooring, youll want to keep it in good condition! W X 8.5 in. The Roberts 12" Vinyl Tile Cutter makes easy work out of any vinyl flooring installation. Note that some vinyl plank flooringhas underlayment pre-attached. Whichever type of flooring youre using, youll need to make sure your sub-floor is prepared carefully. You wont need any fancy or expensive tools for this simple job. This Roberts seam roller features a polished steel, 2" wide x 2" diameter head mounted on 2 smooth rolling ball bearings. 2022 Ace Hardware. Often, removing doors from their hinges helps with installation, too. L Plastic Tile Spacer 500 pk, Hyde 1.5 in. H X 1.1 in. Youll also find it more comfortable if you have something to kneel on. It will need to be level, smooth and clean before you begin your installation. Within a week I was back at the store buying another complete packout, along with a couple other packout attachments for screws, nails and a lot of my other misc. H X 3.5 in. If necessary, a drawbar tool can be used to tug this final narrow plank into place against the previous row. Your last row might be slightly uneven because few rooms are truly square. (Pros & Cons). Make sure to cut it narrow enough to provide a 1/4-inch gap between the planks and the wall. Laying it is very simple. W High Carbon Steel Flooring Knife 1 pk, QEP 1.6 in. The ROBERTS 10-26 Laminate Flooring Installation kit includes the do-it-yourself tools needed for small jobs. We needed something to keep our drills, drill bits, screw tips, batteries and charger in. A moderate-sized room can easily be covered with vinyl plank flooring with just a few hours of work. You can also get specialist vinyl cutters to do the job. W X 1.3 in. 2022 Roberts Consolidated Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Alternatively, you can use a fine-tooth handsaw to cut straight through the entire plank.. They do sell one now that does charge the battery but, I really did not see the need to pay the extra money for that feature. L Stainless Steel Square Notch Trowel 1 pk, QEP 0.6 in. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. 2000-2022 Home Depot. 2020 Floor Mechanics LLC Helping the DIY Install Flooring. It is super bright and it is very convienent. thresholds. H X 4 in. Crafted of heavy duty steel, this cutter is durable, yet lightweight for swift transportation from room to room. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Orders must be placed on days the store is open, before 4pm local time or 2 hours before store closing time, whichever is earlier. This glue gun has 200 watts of power and will heat these glue sticks up efficiently and continuously. Ace Rewards members spending $50 or more are eligible to receive free Next Day delivery on in-stock orders. H X 34 in. For thin vinyl tiles, a utility knife will work well. I know this is a larger expense, but if you are installing a large area, that makes it worth it. It allows the joints to slide together easily. Now this is a great light to have! Vinyl and Linoleum Floor Roller with Transport Wheels, Rug Gripper Indoor 3 in. Getting your sub-floor ready for installation is just as important as laying your vinyl flooring. The ROBERTS 13 in. I have a video inside Laminate university that will show you how to install this. and 30 oz. for example-. H X 4 in. This is another situation where the tool I am using in the video is no longer available. Its a little more work but can give you better control and a cleaner cut. Heres what to use: That brings us to the end of our round-up of all the tools youll need to install and maintain your vinyl flooroing. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Can You Paint Vinyl Flooring? This kit also includes trilingual instructions. I use these to install transitions, for gluing scrap pieces down when securing the floor on concrete and for a variety of other things. Handyman Service is currently not available in your area. H X 0.4 in. Good luck with your project! In other cases, youll need to apply the glue yourself. These type of blades are great for non chip cutting. This is really a great alternative to a transition because it looks nicer and it will save you money. For use during resilient, vinyl, VCT seam work and wall base installations. L Flooring Installation Kit 30 pc, QEP 11.5 in. The Roberts Laminate Wedge Spacers are perfect for preventing movement of laminate and other floating floors, while providing an even perimeter expansion gap during installation. A slope will make it difficult to get firm contact between glue-down tiles and the floor. This includes baseboards, base shoe moldings, and case moldings around doors. By far the best knee pads out on the market. handle is connected to an elliptical cam mechanism for even pressure and smooth cutting. Firm grip provided by the molded handle gives extra comfort when making repetitive cuts. Something went wrong. The zinc-plated carbon steel blade features a blunt, non-sharp cutting edge that cuts with pressure using a push of the handle. W X 9.5 in. Heres what youll need to do it. Vinyl Plank Flooring vs. Vinyl Sheet Flooring: Whats the Difference? Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. Ace Hardware and the Ace Hardware logo are registered trademarks of Ace Hardware Corporation. Alternatively, a couple of drops of mild dishwashing soap will gently clean away dirt and grease. It is nice to have in the arsenal of tools because of the convience of the battery. I use this at work, home, camping, hunting camp, working on the car.. The non-marking, segmented rollers exert even pressure to smooth out uneven vinyl floor covering, carpet or wall covering. Sheet Vinyl vs. Vinyl Tile Flooring: Whats the Difference? Choose a few times that work best for you: Simply choose date & time option(s) that fit your schedule. Along with jigsaw blades, a box for screw tips and 2 boxes of drill bits. That will make it easy to apply a thin cost of epoxy or other restorers. This is a hammer drill/driving drill/drilling. You may want to use this opportunity to replace shoe moldings or other trim, especially if the old trim was cracked or damaged when it was removed. Also transitions can break over time and this method will stand to the test of time. Just make sure you follow the printed instructions to position it with the correct side facing up. The ROBERTS Patent Pending Dual Expansion Joint Spacer is the only spacer you'll need for your floating and glue down vinyl, laminate and hardwood flooring jobs. I really have put this tool to the test and it has lasted me a long time. You dont need a table saw. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. I use a cutter that shears the plank. The wheels are very ridgid and have survived 2 Northern Minnesota Winters so far. This and the pull bar are NOT the tools you want to cheap out on.. You will regret it! H X 2 in. W X 1/4 in. Even the best blades are no match for laminate. The first question to answer is what kind of vinyl flooring youre laying. D Plastic Suction Cup 1 pk, QEP 3.5 in. W X 2.3 in. Manufacturers recommend that end seams be offset at least six inches from row to row. Hook one end of the tool over the far end of the plank, then tap lightly on the other end of the drawbar to tug the butt joint together. Fold the plank back. The small tapping block and pull bar makes joining laminate pieces easy. Visually, the flooring layout will be most pleasing if cut planks are of roughly equal lengths at the opposite side walls. Copyright 2003-2022 Tools4Flooring.com All rights reserved. Roll of Max Grip Carpet Installation Tape, Indoor/Outdoor 3 in. This is what I use to attach tack strip to concrete. Assemble all the tools youll need for this before you begin work. Vinyl flooring is easy to clean, but its important to avoid dust and dirt building up. I have had to cut a thousand door jambs with this tool and it keeps on ticking. I would buy this tapping block over any of the others if I ever needed to replace mine. W Plastic Tile Spacer Clips 100 pk, QEP 4.5 in. About 2 years ago my son added this to our trailer. L Plastic Contour Gauge 1 pk, QEP 0.75 in. For ease of installation, it is always best toremove the trimthat makes contact with the floor. These are amazing!! W Plastic Tile Spacer 200 pc, QEP 1.5 in. This backpack is really tough and I really like how handy it is to have. Very nice tool to have. L Metal Wet Tile Saw 1 pc, QEP 4.5 in. W X 1 in. They must be high quality!!! Just check the lists carefully to make sure you have what you need for the kind of floor youre laying. This is one of my tools that is no longer available however, this tapping block that is made by Bullet Tools and is pretty tough and it is very comparable to the block I use. The ROBERTS 25" Pro Flooring Cutter is a guillotine-style cutter manufactured to cut precise, clean-edges on all types of flooring materials. Remember to use it in different directions and at a number of different locations across the floor. That wont look great, and it will make the floor weaker in that area. This is my top choice and is perfect for under Vinyl Plank even if there is already an attached pad! W Plastic Tile Spacer 300 pc, QEP 1/4 in. Of all the do-it-yourself floor coverings, vinyl plank flooring (also known as luxury vinyl) is one of the simplest to install. Learn How to Install Laminate Flooring Yourself, How to Install Shoe Molding or Quarter-Round Molding, How to Nail Down or Float Engineered Wood Flooring, Preventing Water Damage to Laminate Floors, Vinyl vs. Laminate Flooring Comparison Guide, Easy Way To Freshen Up a Room? The high quality, segmented, chrome-plated rollers ensure maximum transfer of adhesive, even in "double glue" installations. We always carry 2 drills in this(an impact and a hammer drill) along with 2 or 3 five amp batteries and a fast charger. If your vacuum cleaner has a nozzle attachment, that will make the task much easier. x 60 ft. Mat and Rug Tape for Removable Installations. Youll need additional equipment if youre laying separate underlayment. Manually nailing with a hammer, while possible, can easily damage the trim, while a brad nailer does this work effortlessly. Like all the Bullet Tools, this thing is super tough! wide, making flooring installations faster. H X 1.3 in. H X 4.8 in. Check the notes to see whether it will be needed for your project. In a small bathroom, the most visible edge might be the one that runs alongside the bathtub. That will determine the tools you need to complete your project. The angled soft grip handle is designed for superior grip and better leverage. W X 15 in. W X 0.120 in. The bar features durable steel construction, and includes soft felt backing for protection against scratches during installation. The Roberts Extendable Floor Roller extends up to 27" and includes 2 handles for maximum leverage. And ensure you run it in the same direction as your flooring. Our delivery program lets you get the qualifying items delivered from the store to your door by a helpful Ace associate. This creates a flat, well-bonded installation for professional results and minimal to no repairs. Lightweight yet rugged, the Roberts 18" Vinyl Tile Cutter is equiped with accurate cutting guides, a heavy duty alumium base, a industrial grade carbon steel blade and ball bearing casters. You will need it to make cuts around door jambs, vents, around corners and you can use it to cut your long straight cuts along your walls and cabinets. As with previous rows, join these narrow planks end-to-end, then fold the tongues into the grooves of the previous row. I have never smelt any burning in the motor or have had any problems with the trigger. Participation and delivery area vary by store. All Rights Reserved. This saves installers the time it takes to walk outside for every cut. A microfiber mop is ideal for this, as the soft fibers wont scratch the vinyl. Add a cup of vinegar to a gallon of hot water to create an effective cleaning agent. While you could have purchasedsolid hardwood or engineered woodor ceramic or porcelain tile, you may well have chosen vinyl flooring, because you knew you could do it all by yourself and very inexpensively. This is an alternative to the more expensive glue gun that I use with the Fasten Master glue sticks. This is used to roll a carpet edge to your vinyl plank or laminate so you dont need to use a transition. We offer FREE standard shipping on orders of $75 or more of eligible items. 2 oz. Orders must be placed on days the store is open, before 4pm local time or 2 hours before store closing time, whichever is earlier. Vinyl plank flooring, like laminate or wood flooring, needs to have a layout that is pleasing to the eye. Spending time on preparation will save you lots of headaches once you get started on the installation. New moldings installed alongside new flooring make for a very polished, elegant look. It really helps with sound deadening, moisture and its anti- microbial. With no electricity required, this cutter can be used on any jobsite. Lightweight yet rugged, the Roberts 12" Vinyl Tile Cutter is equiped with accurate cutting guides, a heavy duty alumium base, a industrial grade carbon steel blade and ball bearing casters. A jig saw is plenty good! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I prefer to use fine cutting blades. Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. Plan to stagger rows so that end joints do not fall at the same point for adjacent rows. Avoid using a steam mop with a glued down floor the steam can reduce the adhesion. H X 0.11 in. The cutter prevents laminate from splitting, will not produce dust, and may be safely used indoors without compromising air quality. If your order also contains items that do not qualify, you would ONLY pay shipping charges for these ineligible items (as long as your order is over $75). They are ideal for cutting laminate, engineered wood flooring, LVT and WPC flooring. Vinyl plank flooring can usually be laid right over existing flooring, but if there are any high spots, they should be sanded down to create a flush surface for the new floor. W X 11 in. Not a member? And theyll be vulnerable to damage. An uneven floor will make it all too likely that the planks wont fit together. W Plastic Tile Spacer 300 pk, QEP 4 in. H X 0.5 in. If you are laying the flooring over a plywood subfloor, fill any depressions with a floor-leveling compound. You simply peel away a protective film before pressing the tiles into position. I screw down a lot of subfloor on my jobs and I also install a lot of cement board and this tool has never overheated on me. The important part is to take your time. Begin by using your broom or vacuum cleaner to remove all debris from the floor. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. For both these reasons, its a good idea to start by planning your flooring layout. 7 Risks You Should Know! I usually use 3/4 inch in length but 1 inch will work too! The ROBERTS 8 in. If you are laying vinyl plank flooring over a concrete subfloor, fill any cracks or divots with a concrete patcher. long and weighs approximately 2 lbs. Mop your floor once a week too. But you still need to have the right tools for the job. W X 11 in. And it has the added benefit of leaving behind a pleasant fragrance. I Would not cheap out on this tool, you will regret it! The Roberts 9" Flooring Cutter makes fast, convenient work out of cutting laminate and engineered wood planks during flooring installation with its compact and powerful design. This pad wicks away moisture that comes up through your concrete foundation and out performs any other moisture barrier that I have used. Note that some self-adhesive flooring may need extra glue to hold it securely in place. First, use a carpenter's square and utility knife to score partially through the face of the plank. Multi-Floor Cutter quickly cuts a variety of materials up to 13 in. You may also hear these referred to as tongue-and-groove or click-and-lock flooring. L Rubber Grout Float Smooth, QEP Lash 0.4 in. This is my members area where you will have access to all my videos. Depending on the kind of installation youre doing, you may also need tape to secure underlayment, or tools to secure the flooring itself.