How to DIY Allure Flooring

Some of the questions I asked myself when preparing to do a new floor in my sunroom included: How much prep work is involved? Do I need glue or nails? What product is best for different areas? Can I install it myself? How much will it cost? Allure Flooring was the answer to all my questions.

Allure flooring is a vinyl, free-floating floor of separate pieces with an interlocking edge that snaps together. It is designed to be easy to install and stain-resistant. It has multiple finishes from ceramic tile to wood grain. Some colors are sold as a stock item. More colors and styles are available via special order or online at Homedepot.com. I would recommend going to an actual Home Depot store to check out what is available before ordering.

What Prep Work is Involved?

There is little to no prep work with Allure. I did have to tear up the old carpeting, but if your floor is cement, linoleum or peel and stick squares you won’t have to remove it. Allure will lay right over the top of most floors. It was very forgiving to the imperfections in my old floor. I didn’t have to fix small or shallow holes or cracks before I laid the Allure. The product was thick and strong enough that once I laid it down, it did not take on the imperfections of the previous floor. The most you will have to do is make sure the area is clean and dry.

No Glue

Allure is a free floating floor with no additional glue and no mess. Allure comes in plank-like strips, usually about one foot wide, with glue on one edge. To install, I just attached one piece to the next until the floor was done. Per the directions, I offset each piece so that it would look more like a real wood floor. It never sticks to the old floor -- just to itself. It stays in place because the edges tuck under the baseboard. This is a plus because it gives the new floor room to expand and contract with the changes in temperature.

What Rooms Can Allure Be Used In?

Allure works exceptionally well in moist areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and basements. This is because the interlocking design of the planks doesn't allow water to get in, making it highly water resistant. It was perfect for my sunroom because occasionally I do have some moisture build-up around the patio door.

Another reason Allure is great in moist areas is that it is made of thick vinyl -- at least three times thicker than the 12-inch peel and stick tiles. It will withstand the toughest traffic and is easy to clean. I found cleaners for Allure at The Home Depot, but I prefer to clean my floors with 1 cup vinegar added to 1 gallon of hot water.

DIY

I installed the flooring myself with very little effort. Knee pads, a straight edge, a speed square and a razor knife were the only tools I used. To cut or trim, just score and snap. I practiced with a few pieces. The glue is so strong that once the pieces are together, they are very hard to get apart. I purchased an extra 10% of flooring just in case I made mistakes.

Total Cost

Prices start at $1.89 per square foot. One carton covers anywhere from 19 to 24 square feet. The starting cost for an average 12’ x 12’ room would cost about $272. With all the great features this kind of floor offers, $1.89 a square foot is a steal.

If you are in the market for replacing a floor it would be in your best interest to check out this product. You will be amazed at all the perks it has to offer.