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If you haven't committed, here's another opinion. I love and prefer loose lay vinyl even though it has disadvantages. Two big positive features are some integrated padding which is awesome, and eventual replacement is easy. When you tire of it or it does wear out or get severely damaged, you can pull it up, cut a new sheet using the old sheet as a template, and easily just put the new sheet down. For installation use a high quality double stick tape in stress areas where appliances like dishwashers and fridges need to move across it occasionally. Also put the tape across where you'll enter and exit the room. True, this tape does have to be pulled up when replacing, but it's NOTHING like removing and repairing after a massive glue job. Remember that you still need to prepare the floor to be smooth before installing, and there are true disadvantages- Lefty is absolutely justified in his concerns, but I would not say you can't ever move things or that you'll always have a hump. Humps depend on protecting the vinyl when moving things, and also how much freedom you can give the sheet to move a little. Before moving appliances, and I would first put down some heavy cardboard or other stiff protection to avoid distorting or wrinkling the vinyl, and keep your weight on that cardboard when you move appliances across it, and you definitely do need to leave other edges untaped so the flooring can expand and contract with temperature. It is best if you have or can install a little trim that is not all the way down to the subfloor so the end of the sheet is protected. Even with that care, it will never be so carefree as glued vinyl, but I still prefer it. You'll probably have to install it yourself because last I looked, most installers won't touch it because the chances of imperfections and little issues are relatively high and installers rightfully dislike call-backs. Spills - it should be waterproof but obviously not at the edges. Water spill? if small, ignore it and it will dry. Larger spills or sticky things or milk? Just pull up the edges and clean directly. I have it in the kitchen cooking area and the laundry room, and I'll replace it soon - after 20 years of use. Fringe benefit - it's soft and flexible, and scraps are great for keeping rolled up in the garage so you can slide around under your car when maintaining. This is a big help in the winter when the garage and concrete are cold. Good luck! Answer from Loose-Vermicelli-744 on reddit.com
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The Home Depot
homedepot.com › flooring › vinyl flooring
Loose Lay - Vinyl Flooring - The Home Depot
Get free shipping on qualified Loose Lay Vinyl Flooring products or Buy Online Pick Up in Store today in the Flooring Department.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/flooring › loose lay vinyl install. what does it really need?
r/Flooring on Reddit: Loose lay vinyl install. What does it really need?
May 15, 2024 -

I removed the previous glued down sheet vinyl that was from the 90s.

I've been scraping up the residual glue and paper from the felt back the previous vinyl left behind.

Room is 10x12 at best. Kitchen.

I was going to glue down the new vinyl but multiple people keep saying I shouldn't bother and just loose lay it and shouldn't be bothering with all of this prep work I'm doing either.

The nail holes aren't bad but I was going to fill them but have been advised that that doesn't really matter either.

The instructions for the sheet vinyl said for me to prime the floor and I have been unable to find the primer needed.

The vinyl is from Lowe's. Just the cheap carriage point design.

How much prep would you do if you were me?

Top answer
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1
If you haven't committed, here's another opinion. I love and prefer loose lay vinyl even though it has disadvantages. Two big positive features are some integrated padding which is awesome, and eventual replacement is easy. When you tire of it or it does wear out or get severely damaged, you can pull it up, cut a new sheet using the old sheet as a template, and easily just put the new sheet down. For installation use a high quality double stick tape in stress areas where appliances like dishwashers and fridges need to move across it occasionally. Also put the tape across where you'll enter and exit the room. True, this tape does have to be pulled up when replacing, but it's NOTHING like removing and repairing after a massive glue job. Remember that you still need to prepare the floor to be smooth before installing, and there are true disadvantages- Lefty is absolutely justified in his concerns, but I would not say you can't ever move things or that you'll always have a hump. Humps depend on protecting the vinyl when moving things, and also how much freedom you can give the sheet to move a little. Before moving appliances, and I would first put down some heavy cardboard or other stiff protection to avoid distorting or wrinkling the vinyl, and keep your weight on that cardboard when you move appliances across it, and you definitely do need to leave other edges untaped so the flooring can expand and contract with temperature. It is best if you have or can install a little trim that is not all the way down to the subfloor so the end of the sheet is protected. Even with that care, it will never be so carefree as glued vinyl, but I still prefer it. You'll probably have to install it yourself because last I looked, most installers won't touch it because the chances of imperfections and little issues are relatively high and installers rightfully dislike call-backs. Spills - it should be waterproof but obviously not at the edges. Water spill? if small, ignore it and it will dry. Larger spills or sticky things or milk? Just pull up the edges and clean directly. I have it in the kitchen cooking area and the laundry room, and I'll replace it soon - after 20 years of use. Fringe benefit - it's soft and flexible, and scraps are great for keeping rolled up in the garage so you can slide around under your car when maintaining. This is a big help in the winter when the garage and concrete are cold. Good luck!
Discussions

anyone have experience with Loose Lay Sheet Vinyl in their Kitchen?

My mother had it in her house, and it was a problem for her. The edges kept curling up for no discernible reason. Then people would catch the edges with their shoes; this led to edge damage. And dust and dirt would get under the edges.

Maybe we just bought the wrong kind, but for me it was a lesson learned. Never again.

More on reddit.com
🌐 r/HomeImprovement
5
1
September 15, 2014
Loose lay vinyl install. What does it really need?
If you haven't committed, here's another opinion. I love and prefer loose lay vinyl even though it has disadvantages. Two big positive features are some integrated padding which is awesome, and eventual replacement is easy. When you tire of it or it does wear out or get severely damaged, you can pull it up, cut a new sheet using the old sheet as a template, and easily just put the new sheet down. For installation use a high quality double stick tape in stress areas where appliances like dishwashers and fridges need to move across it occasionally. Also put the tape across where you'll enter and exit the room. True, this tape does have to be pulled up when replacing, but it's NOTHING like removing and repairing after a massive glue job. Remember that you still need to prepare the floor to be smooth before installing, and there are true disadvantages- Lefty is absolutely justified in his concerns, but I would not say you can't ever move things or that you'll always have a hump. Humps depend on protecting the vinyl when moving things, and also how much freedom you can give the sheet to move a little. Before moving appliances, and I would first put down some heavy cardboard or other stiff protection to avoid distorting or wrinkling the vinyl, and keep your weight on that cardboard when you move appliances across it, and you definitely do need to leave other edges untaped so the flooring can expand and contract with temperature. It is best if you have or can install a little trim that is not all the way down to the subfloor so the end of the sheet is protected. Even with that care, it will never be so carefree as glued vinyl, but I still prefer it. You'll probably have to install it yourself because last I looked, most installers won't touch it because the chances of imperfections and little issues are relatively high and installers rightfully dislike call-backs. Spills - it should be waterproof but obviously not at the edges. Water spill? if small, ignore it and it will dry. Larger spills or sticky things or milk? Just pull up the edges and clean directly. I have it in the kitchen cooking area and the laundry room, and I'll replace it soon - after 20 years of use. Fringe benefit - it's soft and flexible, and scraps are great for keeping rolled up in the garage so you can slide around under your car when maintaining. This is a big help in the winter when the garage and concrete are cold. Good luck! More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Flooring
13
2
May 15, 2024
Loose Lay LVP cons?
The rep swears up And down loose lay is fine BS. I've fixed so many over the years and refuse to do them. Full spread glue is the way More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Flooring
42
7
September 9, 2024
Does anyone have any experience with loose lay vinyl planks? Can they be as easy to install as it looks?

Very happy with Armstrong vinyl planks in our cabin. Stand up to sand, dogs, kids really well.

Laid over 1000 square feet in a day. By myself.

More on reddit.com
🌐 r/HomeImprovement
12
14
April 24, 2013
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Flooring Inc.
flooringinc.com › home › flooring by category › vinyl flooring › vinyl sheet flooring
Vinyl Sheet Flooring: Waterproof Sheet Vinyl in Wood & Tile Looks
Also known as the floating installation, the loose lay method requires no adhesive. Instead, the vinyl roll is cut to fit the room, and the weight of the sheet ensures that it lays flat.
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Floors To Your Home
floorstoyourhome.com › waterproof › shop by vinyl type › loose lay
Waterproof - Shop By Vinyl Type - Loose Lay - Page 1 - Floors To Your Home
HUGE SALE-SAVE OVER 50%--EVERYTHING 40¢ SQ FT OFF- · Flooring Experts Since 1921 Celebrating 100 Years In Business
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Tarkett
professionals.tarkett.com › en_EU › node › genius-loose-lay-vinyl-flooring-quick-to-install-easy-to-recycle-10561
Genius loose-lay vinyl flooring: quick to install, easy ...
Embrace the future with Tarkett’s new Genius loose-lay vinyl flooring in rolls, specially designed for quicker installation and to resist to heavy traffic in commercial buildings.
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Lowe's
lowes.com › flooring › vinyl flooring
Loose lay Vinyl Flooring at Lowes.com
Find Loose lay vinyl flooring at Lowe's today. Shop vinyl flooring and a variety of flooring products online at Lowes.com.
Find elsewhere
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DeSitter Flooring
desitterflooring.com › p › luxury-vinyl
Luxury Vinyl Flooring Products in Chicago and the Western Suburbs | DeSitter Flooring
Browse our extensive selection of Flooring Products from DeSitter Flooring in Chicago and the Western Suburbs.
Address   444 Roosevelt Rd, 60137, Glen Ellyn
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Happyfeetinternational
happyfeetinternational.com › resources › loose-lay-resources
Loose Lay Resources | Happy Feet International | Luxury Vinyl Plank & Laminate Flooring
Learn more about Happy Feet's loose lay LVP products that make quality installation as easy as 1, 2, 3. With style, quality, and lightning fast installation, this is a fitting option for light traffic spaces.
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The Home Depot
homedepot.com › flooring › vinyl flooring › vinyl plank flooring
Loose Lay - Vinyl Plank Flooring - The Home Depot
/Vinyl Plank Flooring · Approximate Plank Size (in.): 48 x 9 · A&A Surfaces · ACHIM · Stone Look · Wood Look · Vinyl · 42 Results · Filters · FiltersClear All · Installation Method: Loose Lay · Flooring · Vinyl Flooring · Vinyl Plank Flooring · 54 & Up3 & Up2 & Up1 & Up ·
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Hartco
hartco.com › home › commercial flooring
Loose Lay LVT Flooring | Durable Vinyl Flooring | Hartco
Loose Lay LVT flooring is great for commercial environments. It installs over existing floor coverings and removed easily. It's ideal for raised access floors.
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Really Cheap Floors
reallycheapfloors.com › blog › what-is-loose-lay-vinyl-flooring
What Is Loose Lay Vinyl Flooring? A Loose Lay Vinyl Plank Guide ReallyCheapFloors | America's Cheapest Hardwood Flooring
October 30, 2025 - This works best on smooth wooden subfloors, existing smooth floors, or smooth concrete. DIYers can save time and money by not paying for professional installations. Loose Lay Vinyl is trying to combine sheet vinyl flooring and luxury vinyl flooring.
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Floor City
floorcity.com › home › loose lay vinyl flooring
Buy Loose Lay Vinyl Flooring | Fast Installation & Best Prices
At Floor City, you’ll find Loose Lay vinyl flooring in realistic wood and stone looks built for water resistance and everyday wear. It’s easy to clean, budget‑friendly, and designed to last. Explore our full Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT/LVP) collection to compare styles, then choose Loose Lay for fast installation and a professional finish.
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The Spruce
thespruce.com › how-to-lay-vinyl-sheet-flooring-5081253
How to Lay Vinyl Sheet Flooring
March 28, 2024 - Maintain a temperature between ... begin installation. ... Loose-lay is a sheet vinyl flooring installation method that mostly avoids using adhesives to stick the floor to the subfloor....
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Floor & Decor
flooranddecor.com › vinyl
Vinyl Flooring | Floor & Decor
Typically, vinyl involves preparing the subfloor, laying down the vinyl planks, and securing them in place. A featured benefit of many vinyl options is the ability to quickly install it over most existing floors with little prep needed to complete installation. There are many different types of vinyl flooring, including luxury vinyl flooring, which is known for its high-quality and beautiful aesthetics, as well as sheet ...
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Amazon
amazon.com › Achim-Home-Decor-Vinyl-Plank-Flooring-Wood-Floor › dp › B078Y4FKXH
Looselay Vinyl Plank Flooring, 8 Planks - 9" x 48", Rustic Cherry - No Adhesive Needed, Embossed DIY Flooring - Natural Wood Grain Feel for Kitchen, Dining Room, & Bedrooms by Achim Home Décor - Amazon.com
There are 8 planks per box, which will cover 24 square feet. Easy Installation: Looselay Planks are made of vinyl and an easy-to-place rubber backing. Lay them down to instantly and dramatically transform any room without the use of special tools.
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MSI Surfaces
msisurfaces.com › luxury-vinyl-flooring
Luxury Vinyl Flooring - Luxury Vinyl Planks - MSI Surfaces
Discover the Kallum® Collection’s Loose Lay Planks, offering modern wood tones from light beiges to rich browns. These 9” x 48” vinyl planks install quickly, taking half the time of standard luxury vinyl. No clicking or expertise needed, perfect for both homes and businesses. EXPLORE KALLUM COLLECTION ... Transitional pieces. Coordinating trim. Adhesives. Put the finishing touches on your Luxury Vinyl Flooring.