Vinyl Flooring Hallway: Know Before You Install

Hallways are like the arteries of your house. They connect all the rooms together. They are considered one of the focal points of a house. So, is the idea of a vinyl flooring hallway good enough?

Vinyl floorings have an excellent aesthetic appearance. Besides, vinyl floorings are durable and long-lasting. But before you choose it for your hallway flooring, you should be sure about your choice. You must know well before deciding. And to help you out in the process, I am here with this article discussing A to Z vinyl flooring in the hallway. 

In the last 20 years, I have been a part of the real estate world. This article aims to tell you about my experience with vinyl flooring hallways. Here you will get to know how to install vinyl floors in a hallway, what are the benefits and risks of them, and answers to some common questions regarding vinyl flooring.

6 Steps To Install Vinyl Flooring In Hallway:

The main challenge of installing vinyl flooring in the hallway is the narrow width of the hallway. Otherwise, there is almost no difference in installing vinyl flooring in the hallway and other parts of the house. The following steps are required to install vinyl flooring in a hallway:

Step 1: Measure The Hallway:

Setting the subfloor in a hallway like a professional requires you to measure the space carefully. Measure the width of the hallway with tape in multiple points of the hallway.

Divide the width of the hallway by 2 and mark the center of the width with a marker. Draw a line right in the middle of the hallway. This is where the plywood boards will meet each other. 

Step 2: Install Subfloor:

Cut plywood boards according to the measurement of the hallway. If you need more than one plywood to fill up the width of the hallway, make sure the two plywood boards find the central line at their joining point. This will give your hallway professional-looking flooring.

Fill up the whole hallway with plywoods. Do not forget to keep space for the installation of transitions at all the door points. Now, nail down the plywood with floor drilling wood screws into them.

Step 3: Measure and Cut Vinyl Planks:

Vinyl planks are considered the best option for hallways among all other types of vinyl flooring. Loosely lay vinyl planks over the subfloor for measuring the planks. Cut the vinyl planks where they overlap with each other.

Like the plywood boards, start laying the vinyl planks right in the center of the hallway. You should use partially cut vinyl planks beside the walls. Note down the positions of cut vinyl planks and remove them from the hallway.

Step 4: Apply Adhesive:

Using a trowel, spread adhesive all over the plywood. Make sure they are spread evenly over the board. To know the exact amount of adhesive to use, see the user manual of the adhesive.

Step 5: Attach Vinyl Planks:

No lay the vinyl plank over the plywood board as you planned earlier. Set them on the subfloor with the adhesive. Use a clean cloth to wipe out any excess adhesive from the subfloor.

Step 6: Press The Floor:

Using a 100-lbs roller, press the vinyl planks hard to set them further in the hallway. This will ensure that the vinyl planks do not come out from the floor easily. Give the hallway a rest for 2 days and apply a protective layer all over the vinyl flooring. The hallway will be ready to use when the protective layer dries.

6 Advantages Of Vinyl Flooring In The Hallway:

There are solid reasons behind the growing popularity of vinyl flooring. If you use vinyl flooring in the hallway of your house you will get the following benefits:

1. Water-Resistant:

Until the protective coating is intact, the vinyl flooring will remain water-resistant. That means you do not have to worry about any accidental spills or moist shoes. 

Compared to any other room, the hallways have higher traffic. On top of that, it has to tolerate muddy shoes, wet umbrellas, etc. Using vinyl flooring will relieve your tension to take care of all those setbacks. 

2. Scratch-Resistant:

If you have pets with paws in your house, you will know the pain. New sofas, new doormats, and even new floors get scratches within some moments. There is no way you can prevent your pets from scratching.

The solution is using scratch-resistant flooring like vinyl. Among all the vinyl flooring solutions, vinyl planks are the most scratch-resistant. All you need to do is regularly check the protective coating and fix it immediately if needed.

3. Durable:

Vinyl flooring is supposed to last from 10 to 20 years. It depends on the maintenance and type of usage. Though hallway floors get heavy traffic, vinyl flooring can withstand the pressure. They don’t break or crack or come off the floor easily unless a heavy impact is there on the vinyl flooring. 

4. Easy Maintenance: 

Vinyl flooring is not so difficult to maintain. Minimal regular cleaning can keep the vinyl flooring in the hallway tidy and tiptop. All you need to do is to vacuum clean the floor regularly. Mop the floor once or twice a week thoroughly to remove all the loose dirt. Also, clean the spills with a wet cloth. That is all you need to maintain vinyl flooring. 

5. Easy Installation:

No matter which vinyl tile you choose, even an inexperienced person can install vinyl tile. Without any use of special equipment, you can install vinyl tiles if you know the process. All it demands is a clean and plain surface on which the vinyl tiles can sit well. So in terms of installation, this is a good option too. 

6. Diverse Color And Designs: 

Vinyl tiles are of different designs, colors, and patterns. They are available in diverse textures and looks. You get a handful of options to choose from. This means you won’t need to think of their compatibility. You will get a design or color of vinyl tile that matches the interior. So you are going to get the one that matches your taste. 

3 Disadvantages Of Using Vinyl Flooring In The Hallway:

Though vinyl flooring is one of the best options for hallway flooring, you may like to know the drawbacks too. Knowing the drawbacks would help you maintain it properly. Also, you can stay cautious about using vinyl flooring in the hallway. This is why you should know the disadvantages of vinyl flooring in the hallway too along with the advantages. 

Here are the disadvantages: 

1. Difficult To Repair And Replace: 

Vinyl planks are generally installed on the floor using strong construction adhesive. In that case, the planks become difficult to remove. While this makes the flooring stable and strong, it is also bad if there is any damage. 

In case of any damage, you will find it difficult to scrape off the plank off the floor or subfloor. Also, repairing a heavily damaged plank is almost impossible. You ultimately need to remove it and replace it with a new one. And here comes the problem of removing the plank. You may need a professional for this task. 

2. Emit VOC:

While installing the vinyl planks of the hallway, it emits VOC that has toxic chemicals. The installation slowly emits these compounds and mixes them in the air. Now anybody inhaling the toxic air can get breathing issues and other respiratory problems. 

To prevent this, ventilate the hallway well at least for a few days after installation. Also, avoid going to the hallway for a few days to let the VOC evaporate away in the air and remove the area. 

3. Can’t Be Recycled: 

If you are a person concerned about the environment, you will not like vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring is not eco-friendly and the planks can’t be recycled. Some planks are recycled but the product is not as good as the pure vinyl planks. This is why recycling is very rare in vinyl tiles or planks. So all the damaged vinyl pieces are disposed of and not recycled. 

Keep these disadvantages in mind before you choose vinyl flooring for the hallway. If you think you can handle these cons, go ahead with installing vinyl flooring in the hallway. 

Commonly Asked Questions About Vinyl Flooring Hallway:

Is Vinyl Flooring Good For Hallway?

Vinyl flooring is one of the reliable and durable flooring options for hallways. As hallways are high-traffic areas, they require a sturdy flooring material. And vinyl is a great choice. 

Not only in terms of durability, but in regards to water resistance, look, and maintenance, vinyl flooring is one of the best options. It shows a great range of diversity in color and designs. It is water and scratch-resistant, keeping the floor intact for years. Besides, maintaining vinyl flooring is quite easier than maintaining ceramic or wood flooring. 

Last but not least, you can get wood-look vinyl flooring at a very lower price than wood flooring. Vinyl flooring in the hallway, therefore, is a cost-effective option.

Which Way Should Vinyl Plank Flooring Run In A Hallway?

The beauty of vinyl flooring in a hallway highly depends on the installation. And the first part of the installation is to decide on which way the vinyl planks should run on the hallway floor. 

Ideally, the vinyl planks go along the direction of the longest wall of the hallway. Therefore, I assume that the planks should go across the length of the hallway rather than the width of the area. Especially if the hallway is narrow, the planks have to go along the length of the room. This would bloom the beauty of the planks the most. 

Therefore, choose the direction of the longest wall of the hallway to install the vinyl planks.

Does Vinyl Flooring In Hallways Need A Subfloor? 

Generally, vinyl planks or tiles are not installed on a bare floor. The planks require a flat and smooth surface to be installed. This is why a subfloor is needed under the vinyl flooring in the hallway. 

Use the right size of plywood or particle board to create a strong and stable subfloor for the vinyl flooring in the hallway. This not only makes the installation easy and effective but also makes the flooring long-lasting. The vinyl flooring stays stable and sturdy on the plywood subfloor. 

Thus to provide a smooth and plain surface, you should install a subfloor before installing the vinyl planks. 

Does Vinyl Flooring In The Hallway Need To Be Glued Down? 

There are two ways of installing vinyl flooring in the hallway. You can either glue down the vinyl planks on the subfloor or use the click-lock system to attach the planks to each other. 

Gluing the vinyl plank is a common installation method. It makes the vinyl flooring permanent on the surface. Glued planks are very difficult to remove. Thus for long-term uses, you can choose this method. Otherwise, you can go for a floating floor by attaching the planks in a click-lock method. This makes the planks easy to remove when needed. 

Hence, it is absolutely not mandatory to glue down the vinyl planks on the hallway subfloor. You can choose the click-lock method too. But gluing down makes the floor long-lasting and durable. 

How To Keep Vinyl Flooring In Hallway Clean? 

As hallways tend to become dirty due to heavy traffic, you should keep them clean. Thankfully, maintaining vinyl flooring is not that difficult. Some simple steps can keep the vinyl flooring in the hallway tidy and clean. 

Here are a few tips to clean the vinyl flooring in the hallway: 

• Wipe off the spills and water immediately, using a wet towel or microfiber cloth. 
• Vacuum clean the vinyl flooring every day to remove dirt particles as they can leave minor scratches. 
• Mop the floor at least twice or thrice a week. Use a diluted mild detergent or vinegar solution for cleaning. Make sure that the mop is not too wet. After wiping, dry the floor well. 
• Remove the stains using a wet towel. Use baking soda if the mark is stubborn. 

These steps are adequate to keep the vinyl flooring in the hallway clean and shiny. 

How To Cut Vinyl Planks For Hallway Flooring? 

As hallways are generally narrow spaces, you may need to cut and shape the vinyl planks before installing. The size has to be right to adjust the plank in the area. 

Cutting vinyl plank is way easier than cutting wood or ceramic tiles. You can use a utility knife or a laminate cutter to smoothly cut the edges of vinyl planks. Vinyl planks are compact but with these tools, you can cut them easily. Use a wood trimmer if you are confused about the accuracy. Trim the sides to make the shape correct. 

Don’t forget to mark the lines where you need to cut. Don’t mess up with the measurement as this can lead to wasting a vinyl plank. 

Can You Paint On Vinyl Flooring In The Hallway? 

Many people may like to paint the vinyl flooring for color contrasts or synchronization. Or maybe you like a basic color for the flooring. 

You can paint the vinyl flooring in the hallway. But the colors don’t last on vinyl flooring. This happens because vinyl planks are extremely smooth and polished. It is hard to stick paint on the surface. Even if you manage to set the paint on the vinyl plank, minor scratches and impacts can make the paint come off the planks. It would look odd at that time. Besides, the paint would attract dirt on the floor. 

Therefore, though you can paint on vinyl flooring in the hallway, I would recommend not doing it. It would just make the maintenance unnecessarily difficult.

How Much Does Vinyl Flooring Hallway Cost? 

Vinyl flooring is cheaper than a lot of other hallway flooring options. It is extremely cost-effective. The quality is top-notch and the price is affordable making it a favorite hallway flooring choice. 

Though the price depends on the area of the hallway and the quality of planks you are installing, I can give you a prediction. So here is a chart mentioning the average cost of vinyl flooring: 

Average Price 200 sq. ft	$1400
Approximate Range 200 sq. ft	$600- $2000
Minimum Price 200 sq. ft	$400
Maximum Price 200 sq. ft	$2800

These are the approximate prices of vinyl flooring hallways for 200 sq. ft of area.

Final Thoughts: 

Now, you have a complete idea about how to lay vinyl planks, their pros and cons, and answers to some common confusions. Your part is to scrutinize the factors once again and reach a decision. Rethink your decision and decide the best vinyl flooring option for your hallway. 

If you have already thought of it, it’s time to act! Go and buy suitable vinyl planks for your hallway and adorn them beautifully!