In this post, we will be showing you how to install the King Stonelock Vinyl Click floors. Unlike many floors where you have to glue down, nail down, or peel and stick, these vinyl floors have a clicking mechanism that allows the floors to have seamless edges once installed properly. The butt-ends profile will always be visible, this gives the flooring that hardwood look.

Once you’ve prepared your subfloor, you’ll want to roll out your underlay and tape down the edges and connect each section to minimize movement as you walk around installing the vinyl. Be sure not to overlap the underlayment to prevent uneven floors.

We’re using our red, sound reduction vinyl underlayment with a moisture barrier. We also carry a yellow underlay which is specifically used for laminate floors only.

Step 1: Install The First Row

Once the underlayment is taped down and you’ve confirmed the direction you want to lay your floors down, you start by aligning the butt-ends of 2 vinyl planks down. Don’t worry if they do not line up perfectly at first.

You will notice that the butt-ends don’t fully connect and there is about a 1mm difference when you rub your finger along the adjoining ends. This is because of the King Stonelock technology. Our friends at New Level Floors have shared a great tip when installing these floors. Slide a thin, hard surface material, or block under the adjoining ends; we find that using a Square Carpenter Tool works great, seen in this picture:

Once you have the square in position, using a rubber mallet, hammer the edges down firmly starting from one side to the other. This will engage the King Stonelock and the 1mm difference will be gone and you will not be able to feel the edge profile! Continue this process until you

Step 2: Insert Edge and slide the butt-end to the Previous Piece

Once you have completed your first row and you’ve made your first cut at the end of your room, using the cut piece to start your second row. Please note, any cuts less than 8 inches are not recommended in high traffic areas.

Keep these pieces for corners, or to use as a tapping block to set your vinyl flooring in snug! We’ll get into the Tapping Block a little later.

When you’re ready to install the second vinyl plank on the second row, you will need to use the Square again to ensure your vinyl planks are properly ‘clicked’ in.

Insert the entire edge of the next vinyl plank in the grove of the previously installed piece, slide it up against the last installed piece, and place it down. You can use the palm of your hand to tap it so that the gap closes.

Step 3: Support And Hammer in the Lock

Using the rubber mallet, hammer the edge line starting from the joined edges. The strength of the strike will vary depending on the acclimatization of your install environment. Some pieces will only need a few light taps, others will need hard strikes.

Step 4: Finishing Off By Tapping The Edge Flush

Once this piece is installed and the butt-ends are flush, you may have to adjust the edge line of this piece. Notice in the image below, there is a slight gap between the 2 vinyl flooring pieces.

The left side is showing a slight space, which is an indication of the vinyl installation is not completely secure. Whereas the right arrow, it doesn’t appear to show a line at all. This is because the left piece is not completely locked in.

Before laying your next piece, use a previously cut piece that is too small to install and make a cut length-wise to make it easier to handle. Pay attention to the edge profile, you want to use the smaller edge that is used to slide into the installed vinyl plank.

Using the small edge, insert in the edge of the vinyl you need to adjust and tap it slightly; again the striking force varies until the vinyl has set in and the gap is gone.

Pro Tip: Mark the proper edge with a felt marker for quick reference of the direction of use. This will avoid damaging the installed piece and having to replace the previous row.

In the end, you will have flush butt-ends, with no gaps in between the edges making your vinyl installation look amazing! Now that you know how to install vinyl floor planks, you can easily refresh your home’s floors with a new look and feel. If you’d rather have someone do it for you, contact us and we’ll be happy to send you a few of our trusted pros.