How To Install Vinyl Plank Flooring On Walls? [Learn The Process]

how to install vinyl plank flooring on walls

Vinyl planks are always fashionable and have an excellent aesthetic appearance. If you have decided to install vinyl floor planks on walls, you have thought about it, right? Vinyl flooring on walls looks extraordinarily beautiful and enhances the overall home aesthetic. Besides, they are durable and long-lasting. Maintenance of vinyl planks is easy too. 

But the only challenge that comes to mind’s how to install vinyl plank flooring on walls. As vinyl planks are usually installed on floors, placing them on walls seems challenging. However, if you know the right way, you can crack this puzzle easily. This article is for you if you are adamant about decorating walls with vinyl planks. 

In this article, I am going to talk about the steps of installing vinyl planks flooring on walls. I will discuss other factors you need to know along with the process. So, I request you stay with me if you want to adorn your house walls with decorative vinyl planks!

7 Steps To Install Vinyl Plank Flooring On Walls: 

Installing vinyl flooring up the walls requires you to follow a few steps. The vinyl plank wall installation will be easier if you have the necessary tools and equipment. After accumulating the tools, you need to know how to put vinyl planks on wall. So let me start from the beginning. 

Note that vinyl self-adhesive vinyl wood planks are the best vinyl plank for walls. Here is a list of what tools are needed to install vinyl plank flooring on walls:

  • Vinyl planks
  • Sandpaper
  • Primer for already colored walls
  • Screwdriver
  • Prybar
  • Measuring tape
  • Chalk line
  • Stud finder
  • Nail gun
  • Construction adhesive suitable for vinyl planks
  • Pencil

For safety, while installing, you have to wear safety gear like safety glasses, hand gloves, and goggles. Now let’s move to the practical steps. 

Step 1: Prepare The Walls: 

The basics of any installation are to clean and prepare the surface. Before you install the vinyl planking on walls, make the walls smooth and clean. If the walls have any paints or tiles, you need to remove them and polish the surface. Otherwise, adhering to the planks would become difficult and ineffective. 

To polish the walls, use sandpaper to make the uneven areas flat and smooth. If you want to do it in an easier way, use a sanding device to do the task. In case you want to avoid the part of polishing, paste hardboards on the existing wall. Make sure that the hardboards are installed evenly all over the wall. Now the wall has a flat surface to install the vinyl planks. 

As part of the preparation, you must apply primer on the walls if painted. Primer on painted walls makes them ready for installing vinyl planks. Try to match the primer’s color to the planks’ color. If there remains a gap between the planks, it won’t look odd as the colors match.

Step 2: Remove Existing Items From Wall

Before installing vinyl planks on walls, you must remove existing items from the walls. The wall must be tidy and plain before starting vinyl plank flooring installation. Remember I mentioned a few tools at the beginning, like a pry bar, stud finder, and screwdriver? In this part, you would need these items. 

If there is an electrical port, use the screwdriver to remove it. But make sure that you don’t keep any wire or cable exposed. You can even turn off the main power if it is convenient. Next, you should remove the baseboard using a pry bar.

Using a stud finder, you must also locate the studs and mark these areas with the chalk line. The studs are the strongest portions of the walls where you can nail the planks. The tasks of this part are done now. 

Step 3: Decide The Direction Of Installing The Planks: 

You may wonder which direction to install vinyl plank flooring. Therefore, here comes another step before starting to install the planks. Here are the following two options for you:

  1. Install the vinyl plank flooring from the bottom of the wall and move upwards. 
  2. Start installing the planks to the seam of the ceiling and move downwards. 

If the walls have crown molding, it is better to begin from the boundary of the ceiling and move downwards. In that case, commence from the left corner up the ceiling so that the tongue in the lower part of the planks faces up. 

If you begin the installation from the flooring up to the ceiling, start from the right corner of the wall down the floor. Place the planks so that the tongue in the lower part of the vinyl planks faces downwards. Remember vinyl plank flooring direction can be changed if needed. Now, I hope you have decided on a direction to install the vinyl plank walls. 

Step 4: Take The Essential Measurements And Mark Them: 

Accuracy is an important factor when installing vinyl planks on the walls. To install the planks, you have to take measurements first. Then you can install the planks correctly in the right order in the exact places. 

First, measure the wall’s width from top to bottom. Then measure a single vinyl plank’s width. Divide the entire wall’s width with a single vinyl plank to determine the number of rows you need to cover the wall. The standard vinyl flooring gap at the wall is a 1.5-inch amidst the floor and the planks’ initial row, as they may expand and contract due to weather changes. 

Now you have to mark the starting line from where you will start the installation. You can observe the width of a single plank added to 1.5 inches up from the floor. If you are starting from the ceiling, do it down the ceiling. A chalk line has to be used to mark a straight line to define the starting line. Once you draw one straight line, the other rows will be aligned too. 

Step 5: Apply The Adhesive And Start Installing: 

Since you know where to start installing vinyl plank flooring, now go for the next. In the first row of vinyl plank flooring, pick the planks you want to install after marking the starting line. Mix and match the planks to create a uniform look all over the walls.

Now, apply the construction adhesive at the back of one plank along the periphery to attach vinyl flooring to wall. Next, gently place the plank on the wall along the chalk line. Make sure that the alignment is correct. As you do this, keep pressing the plank gently on the wall. Also, ensure you have left the 1.5-inch gap between the starting plank and the floor. 

After you press the planks on the wall, place the nail gun for nailing the plank on the wall across the stud. As you have already marked the studs, it would be easy for you. Ensure that the nails have been appropriately pushed. Don’t keep the plank loose. Check before you move to the next plank. 

Step 6: Complete Installing The Planks On The First Row: 

Repeat step 5 to install the planks along the initial or starting row. Apply adhesive to the back of each plank and paste it on the side of the wall. Make sure that the planks are interlocked with each other and appropriately aligned. 

Don’t miss out on nailing the planks to the walls (along the stud) using a nail gun. This way, complete the installation process of the vinyl plank along the starting row of the wall. 

Step 7: Repeat The Steps To Cover The Wall: 

In a similar way, you have to match the vinyl planks and install them across the line. Glue it, nail it, and keep the alignment correct. After you install the planks along the initial row, do the same for installing the vinyl flooring on the second row. This way, keep moving upward or downward until you reach the other end of the wall. 

5 Tips To Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring On Walls After Installation: 

Now you know the process of installing the vinyl planks on wall. But is it enough? No. After installing, you should also know how to maintain and clean the walls‘ vinyl plank flooring. Though the cleaning is not so difficult, you should still take note of some factors. 

Here are my tips for you to keep your vinyl plank wall neat, clean, and shiny all the time: 

1. Use A pH Neutral Cleaning Agent: 

The vinyl walls will become hazy and dull if you use harsh cleaning agents like detergent or acidic cleansers. As vinyl floors are sensitive and delicate, cleaning with pH-neutral cleaners would suffice. This can easily remove loose dirt and minimal stains and spills from the vinyl walls. 

On the other hand, using a harsh cleanser can severely destroy the shine and glow of vinyl walls. So use a pH-neutral agent for cleaning vinyl flooring walls

2. Warm Water And Vinegar For Cleaning:

Though maintaining vinyl walls is easy, cleaning it thoroughly once a week is necessary. It is essential to keep the shine. Also, the growth of mold and mildew is reduced if you keep it clean. 

Use warm water and vinegar to clean the vinyl plank wall. Dip a towel in the solution, strain the water, and gently wipe the surface. Avoid rubbing it. Instead, you can also use a mild cleaner to wipe off the vinyl plank wall. 

3. Clean Spills Immediately: 

If you accidentally spill water, coffee, or other substances on the wall leaving a stain, clean it immediately. Use a wet cloth and wipe off the spills as fast as possible. Luckily, stains don’t settle on vinyl plank room walls. Consequently, a wet towel will suffice to clean the spills off the walls. This will keep the wall clean and flawless. 

4. Rubbing Alcohol For Stains: 

Vinyl planks can get stained with agents like makeup substances, crayons, ink, etc. Though the stains can be cleaned, you should use the right cleaners for the best result. In this case, rubbing alcohol is the best agent for cleaning ink, makeup, and crayon marks. 

If the stain is major, the mark can dull the plank’s surface. Also, excessive rubbing can make the surface cloudy. This is why rubbing alcohol is a safe option to use. 

5. Clean The Cleanser After Cleaning: 

No matter how good the cleaner is, overexposure to any cleanser is harmful. So firstly, you should not take much time to clean the vinyl walls. Be fast and active while cleaning. But after you mop the surface, you should remove the cleanser from the walls. For that, wipe the walls with plain water and let them dry completely. 

Note that no residue of the cleanser should stay on the walls. 

Related Questions About Vinyl Plank Flooring On Walls: 

Can You Nail Vinyl Plank Flooring To The Wall?

Unfortunately, it’s recommended to nail vinyl flooring to the wall. Well, there are some reasons why you shouldn’t do that. The first reason is it damages the floor. Secondly, you lose the warranty policy.

That means the warranty will be void, and you’re responsible for this. Alternatively, you can use the tongue and groove locking function to hook the vinyl flooring on the wall. It is better to nail as it tightly holds the vinyl floor planks on the wall.

Can You Use/Put Vinyl Plank Flooring On Walls?

Using/putting vinyl flooring on walls to create an appealing look. The vinyl floor on wall gives a smooth texture, accent, and versatile finish. Installing vinyl plank flooring is straightforward if you floor the proper instruction (look at the above step-by-step DIY install vinyl plank flooring).

Remember to choose the best-textured vinyl plank flooring for walls that suits your wall. The luxury vinyl plank on wall extends the room’s aesthetics and charm. Also, luxury vinyl plank flooring on walls reduces heat and absorbs moisture to keep the house dry.

Do You Install Vinyl Plank Flooring Without Removing Baseboards?

Installing vinyl plank flooring without taking off the baseboard is possible. The process is similar to that described before. However, this includes gathering the required tools, measuring the room size, cutting the tiles accordingly, cleaning the surface, adding adhesive, and attaching floors to the baseboard.

Simple and time-saving, isn’t it? So why late? Bring the glossy look back to your room and enjoy the charm.

How Long To Install Vinyl Plank Flooring?

How much you need to install depends on the room’s size. Usually, it takes between 1-2 days to complete the installation. But if the room is not spacious, it takes only 1 day or less.

Also, it depends on how much effort you put into it. If you work hard continuously, it takes less than one day.

How Far From The Wall Should Vinyl Plank Flooring Be Installed? 

Vinyl planks tend to expand and contract depending on the temperature and weather conditions. This is why it is suggested to leave a gap between the initial row of the plank and the floor.  Ideally, using flooring on walls must leave a gap of 1.5 inches between the starting row of the vinyl on walls and the flooring. The gap should be at the bottom of the wall along the floor.

Now, if the planks expand, they will be pressed below along the floor, making the change unnoticeable. So, make sure to leave the gap before you start installing the planks along the initial row. 

Which Side Is The Tongue On Vinyl Plank Flooring Goes Against The Wall?

A common confusion is there regarding which side of the tongue vinyl plank should go against the wall. You can easily sort out this problem. Vinyl planks have two sides: the tongue and the groove. The tongue in the lower area of the vinyl plank goes against the wall.

On this side, you can see the gaps for interlocking one plank to another. This side goes against the wall while the groove side faces outwards. Therefore, the groove side is what you see on the wall after installation. Therefore, install the tongue of the vinyl plank against the wall. 

Will Vinyl Plank Stick On Painted Walls?

Some people prefer not to remove the old paint and install vinyl plank flooring on a wall. But this is not wise to install vinyl flooring on a wall. After a few days or months, tiles lose their stickiness and fall.

Note that installing vinyl planks on glossy paints won’t make it long-lasting. It is better to provide a suitable surface for the vinyl planks. So, either polish and remove the paint using sandpaper or put hardboards on the painted walls.

Does Vinyl Plank Flooring On Walls Come Off Easily? 

Vinyl planks are extremely durable and long-lasting. But the installation mechanism also decides whether it will come off quickly or not. Usually, construction adhesives keep wall vinyl planks in place for years without any disturbance. Wall decals are generally long-lasting.

Also, if you glue and nail the planks on the wall, there would be no chance of the planks coming off for several years. Therefore, the IVT flooring on walls does not come off easily. Unless you put extreme pressure on the one end of the plank and loosen the periphery, it won’t come off the wall. 

Do Vinyl Planks Stick On Cinder Block Walls? 

If your house has cinder block walls and you want to install vinyl planks, you can do that. Vinyl planks do stick well on cinder block walls. With vinyl planks wall, you can easily hide the blocks and give your home a modern look.

You can adhere and nail decorative vinyl planks on the cinder block wall and give a brand new look to your interior. However, you may like to polish the block wall surface before installing the planks. This would make the surface smooth and plain. 

Conclusion: 

To conclude, you have made the right decision to decorate the walls with vinyl planks. The only challenge of installation is solved by now, I believe. Just follow the steps carefully and do the installation yourself. Don’t forget to maintain it well!

What are you waiting for if you have learned the vinyl installation process? Install your brand new LVP  flooring on walls today!

Jahidul Alam

Hello dear! This is Jahidul Alam. I am the admin of this Tidy Floor. I have been in the floor cleaning business for the last 20 years. My business is all about ensuring affordable flooring cleaning services for Americans.

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