Job guides / Whole home / Flooring / Install LVP Flooring
The Job Guide

Lay luxury vinyl plank, seamlessly.

The short answerTo install click-lock luxury vinyl plank (LVP), let the planks acclimate, then flatten and clean the subfloor and lay underlayment if the plank has no attached pad. Start the first row against the longest straight wall with 1/4" spacers. Stagger the end joints at least 6–8", score and snap the cuts, and close the seams with a tapping block. Finish with transitions and baseboard. A typical room takes a weekend.

Waterproof, durable and DIY-friendly, LVP is one of the most-searched DIY projects in the country. Here's the gear we'd use and the method for crisp seams.

DifficultyEasy–Moderate
Time1–2 daysper typical room
DIY costPlank + ~$100 in toolsestimate
Hiring a proVaries by areaestimate

The plank price below is per case as listed by Home Depot. Your total depends on square footage plus 10% waste.

Install LVP Flooring
7 stepsEvery pick rated about 4.5★ or higher, from hundreds to thousands of reviews.
Photo: Francesca Tosolini on Unsplash
Your Match

The kit, vetted.

Tick items off as you shop. Ratings and review counts were checked on 2026-10-14. Home Depot prices are as of 2026-10-14. Amazon shows its price at checkout.

Tools

3 items
Lifeproof Pro Flooring Installation Kit (LP2318)
Top PickInstall kit

Lifeproof Pro Flooring Installation Kit (LP2318)

Tapping block, pull bar and spacers in one box.

Home Depot 4.5 (734)$26.21View →
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Milwaukee FASTBACK Compact Folding Utility Knife
Top PickCutting

Milwaukee FASTBACK Compact Folding Utility Knife

Score-and-snap cuts for most LVP. Bring spare blades.

Home Depot 4.7 (2,161)$9.97View →
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Stanley 16 oz Rubber Mallet
Best ValueMallet

Stanley 16 oz Rubber Mallet

Pairs with the tapping block to close seams without marring the planks.

Home Depot 4.6 (917)$9.97View →
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Materials

2 items
Lifeproof Sterling Oak 22 MIL Click-Lock Waterproof LVP
Top PickPlank

Lifeproof Sterling Oak 22 MIL Click-Lock Waterproof LVP

Thick 22 mil wear layer for busy rooms. Sold by the case (20.1 sq ft).

Home Depot 4.5 (4,052)$65.99 / caseView →
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QuietWalk 1.4 mm Acoustical Underlayment w/ Vapor Barrier (100 sq ft)
If no attached padUnderlayment

QuietWalk 1.4 mm Acoustical Underlayment w/ Vapor Barrier (100 sq ft)

Only for planks without an attached pad. Check your plank's warranty first.

Home Depot 4.6 (510)$51.75View →
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The Method

Step by step, start to finish.

  1. 01

    Acclimate & plan

    Open the boxes in the room and follow the maker's acclimation time. Plan the layout so the last row isn't a thin sliver.

  2. 02

    Prep the subfloor

    Remove baseboard, undercut door casings, fix high and low spots, and vacuum well.

  3. 03

    Underlayment (if needed)

    Roll it out seams-tight only if the planks have no attached pad.

  4. 04

    First row

    Start along the longest straight wall with the tongue facing the wall, using 1/4" spacers.

  5. 05

    Stagger & click

    Offset the end joints at least 6–8". Angle in the long edge, drop it, and tap the end closed.

  6. 06

    Cut & fit

    Score and snap straight cuts. Use a jigsaw or oscillating tool around jambs and vents.

  7. 07

    Last row & trim

    Use the pull bar on the final row, then install transitions and baseboard. Nail the baseboard to the wall, not the floor.

Watch First

See it done, then do it.

Our picks of the clearest tutorials. Credit and copyright belong to the creators.

This Old House

How to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring | Ask This Old House

Nathan Gilbert replaces a dated kitchen floor with LVP.

Visit channel ↗
Modern Builds

Full House Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Install with No Transitions

Long continuous runs, doorways and layout lines.

Visit channel ↗
Prefer to read?
How To Install Vinyl Plank Flooring, from This Old House
Read the guide ↗
Good Questions

Before you start.

Do I need underlayment under LVP?

Only if the plank has no attached pad, or a vapor barrier is required over concrete. Follow the plank's warranty.

How big should the expansion gap be?

About 1/4" at walls and fixed objects, or whatever the manufacturer specifies.

Can I install LVP over tile?

Often yes, if the tile is flat and sound. Fill deep grout lines so they don't telegraph through.

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