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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Better Homes & Gardens
bhg.com › home-improvement › flooring › installation-how-to › how-to-install-loose-lay-sheet-vinyl
How to Install Vinyl Sheet Flooring That's Loose-Lay in ...
June 7, 2025 - If you're looking into how to install ... vinyl flooring is unique because it doesn't require adhesive. Once you cut it to size and put it in place, it's installed....
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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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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!
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Flooringtech
flooringtech.org › unit12_lay_flat_vinyl › section4_laying_techniques › lesson1_loose_lay_installation.htm
Lay flat vinyl, Laying techniques, Loose lay installation
V cut all corners to allow it to sit flat on the floor. If you haven't already reverse-rolled the material, let it relax for about one hour before starting the final trimming. ... Brush the surface with a soft broom to remove any trapped air. Make sure it is sitting flat on the substrate. Use a knife or wall trimmer to cut the sheet to size. Cut and fit the sheet lengthwise first. Leave the ends until last, to give the vinyl more time to acclimatise.
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Lowe's
lowes.com › home › diy projects & ideas › how-tos › flooring
DIY Sheet Vinyl Floor Installation
June 4, 2025 - Damaged or loose vinyl flooring should be removed. Floors Requiring Underlayment: If you have a hardwood, embossed, cushioned, buckled or uneven floor, it'll require an underlayment.
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Floorexpert
floorexpert.com › knowledge-base › residential-sheet-vinyl-installation-instructions
Residential Sheet Vinyl Installation Instructions – Floor Expert
Unroll material and lay flat to allow roll curl to relax before fitting. Fiberglass-reinforced sheet flooring products are dimensionally stable. They should be cut net to vertical surfaces or slightly loose where they will be covered with molding or wall base.
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The Spruce
thespruce.com › how-to-lay-vinyl-sheet-flooring-5081253
How to Install Sheet Vinyl Flooring
March 28, 2024 - Maintain a temperature between ... 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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Happyfeetinternational
happyfeetinternational.com › resources › loose-lay-resources
Loose Lay Resources | Happy Feet International | Luxury Vinyl Plank & Laminate Flooring
It can be laid down and lifted without damaging the subfloor or the flooring itself. Quick Installations: Loose lay flooring is typically quick to install, making it suitable for projects with tight time constraints or high-traffic areas that need a fast turnaround.
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Urban Surfaces
urbansurfaces.com › article › how-to-install-looselay-flooring-in-4-simple-steps
How to Install LooseLay Flooring In 4 Simple Steps | Urban Surfaces
October 11, 2022 - To do this, lay the planks for your edge row on top of the starting row, trace a line across these planks using a loose piece of flooring, and cut. Install the planks for the edge row against the wall, making sure they are nice and snug.
Find elsewhere
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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 Glue-free solution: quick to install, easy to recycle | Tarkett
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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Armstrong Flooring
armstrongflooring.com › residential › en-us › flooring-installation-advice › articles-videos › vinyl-sheet-flooring-installation.html
Vinyl Sheet Floor Installation
Installation methods vary among vinyl sheet flooring products depending on the construction of the sheet. Traditional fiberglass-backed and composite stone-backed products – You can choose a modified loose lay or a full-spread adhesive, and the adhesive can either be permanent or releasable.
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DoItYourself.com
doityourself.com › doityourself.com community forums › interior flooring, floor coverings and coatings center › vinyl and linoleum flooring › help with install of loose lay vinyl sheet flooring.
Help with install of Loose Lay Vinyl sheet flooring. - DoItYourself.com Community Forums
June 12, 2011 - These vinyl strips will go over the top of an older sheet vinyl bathroom, 55'Wide X 74"Deep. The finished floor will be floating and I will reattach the baseboard with about a 1/4" play to the wall. I have one nail pop budge in the old floor so will score around that and completely remove the nail or screw. I will then fill it in with leveler. The old floor is a standard textured floor but in good shape. Will I need to put leveler on the whole of the old floor? Or can I lay the vinyl strips right over the old floor without the imprint showing through?
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Senssefloor
senssefloor.com › What-is-Loose-lay-Flooring-and-how-to-install-it-id3206958.html
What is Loose-lay Flooring and how to install it? - Sensse Floor
Loose-lay sheet vinyl is unique because it doesn't require adhesive. Once you cut it to size and put it in place, it's installed.
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Flooring Inc.
flooringinc.com › home › flooring articles › vinyl
Sheet Vinyl Flooring Buying Guide
April 22, 2025 - Fiberglass vinyl sheets can be installed in a “loose lay” fashion. That means the entire sheet does not need to be glued down. There are a few scenarios where you might choose this installation.
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EverStep Flooring
everstepflooring.com › home › technical
Loose-Lay Installation Guidelines - EverStep Flooring
April 12, 2025 - ... If using adhesive, follow adhesive supplier’s instructions. ... Before installation, make sure the subfloor is dry and dust free. Flooring should be laid directly against walls, fixed with a bead of silicone after installation completed.
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FlooringStores
flooringstores.com › home › no glue, no clicks: your guide to loose lay vinyl flooring
Loose Lay Vinyl Flooring: What It Is, Pros & Cons
June 13, 2024 - Let’s find out together! Loose lay vinyl refers to a PVC flooring installation method that uses the weight of the planks and a rubber backing to keep them in place rather than glue or nails.
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Floorexpert
floorexpert.com › knowledge-base › commercial-residential-loose-lay-luxury-vinyl-tile-lvt-installation-instructions
AHF Contract Commercial Loose Lay Luxury Flooring (LVT) Installation Instructions – Floor Expert
Protect the floor from heavy-rolling ... promote mildew or mold issues · The loose lay installation system allows the planks/tiles to be installed without using adhesives for installations not exceeding 215 sq....
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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 - Loose Lay vinyl relies on friction to stay in place. 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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Kennedyfloorings
kennedyfloorings.com › wp-content › uploads › 2023 › 03 › Loose_Lay_Installation_Guide-v.06.2020.pdf pdf
INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR LOOSE LAY LUXURY VINYL
Begin laying your floor · at the corner of the longest wall. Lay a complete row of planks to determine the length of the final plank. ... If the last plank (fill piece) is shorter than 6’’, then adjust the starting point accordingly. This is necessary in order to · achieve the correct staggered effect. The cut edge should always face the wall. 13. To make any fill pieces, simply score the top of the surface of the Luxury Vinyl plank or tile using a utility knife and a straight edge, then snap downward.
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Birdz of a Feather
birdzofafeather.ca › home › loose lay vinyl plank flooring installation
Loose Lay Vinyl Plank Flooring Installation - Birdz of a Feather
August 21, 2025 - As we mentioned last time, the secret sauce – or rather the innovation – in our loose lay vinyl plank plank flooring installation, is not the flooring itself. It’s the tab that you can get with it. With no click, or even glue to fuss with, anyone can install this loose lay floor system – whether you have DIY experience or not!