Thinking About Installing Your Own Floors? Don’t Make These Mistakes.
You’ve picked out your flooring. You’re ready to get rid of the old stuff and put in something that actually looks good. You’ve watched a couple of videos, and it seems simple enough. Click the planks together, lay them down, and you’re done.
That’s the idea, but a lot of people make avoidable mistakes that cost them time, money, and frustration. Some end up with gaps between planks, floors that shift underfoot, or worse—installing everything just to rip it up and start over.
The good news? You don’t have to learn the hard way. If you know what to watch out for, you can get it right the first time.
Here’s what you need to know before you start.
Mistake #1: Skipping Subfloor Prep
You can buy the best flooring in the world, but if your subfloor isn’t right, your installation is going to have problems. Planks won’t sit evenly, gaps will show up, and the floor might even shift when you walk on it.
What Can Go Wrong?
- Uneven floors create dips and high spots that make planks shift.
- Dirt and debris get trapped underneath, making some planks sit higher than others.
- Loose subflooring causes squeaks, movement, or a hollow sound when you walk.
How to Do It Right:
✔ Sweep and vacuum before you do anything else. A clean surface makes all the difference.
✔ Check for dips or bumps. If your floor isn’t level within ⅛ inch, use a self-leveling compound to fill low spots or sand down high areas.
✔ Secure anything loose. If you’re installing over plywood, screw down any boards that creak or shift. If you’re installing over tile, make sure there aren’t any loose or cracked pieces.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re going over concrete, check for moisture. A damp subfloor can cause long-term problems, so use a moisture meter if you’re unsure.
🔗 Need a waterproof option that works over most subfloors? Check out our Waterproof Vinyl Flooring.
Mistake #2: Not Leaving Enough Expansion Space
Vinyl plank flooring looks solid once it’s installed, but it expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. If you lay it too tight against the walls, it has nowhere to go—and that’s when problems start.
What Happens If There’s No Expansion Gap?
- Planks buckle or lift when they expand.
- Seams separate as the floor moves.
- Baseboards or trim pop off because the floor is pushing against them.
How to Do It Right:
✔ Leave a ¼-inch gap around all walls, doorways, and fixed objects.
✔ Use spacers when installing to keep the gap consistent.
✔ Don’t force planks together too tightly. They should lock in place, but don’t jam them in.
💡 Pro Tip: The expansion gap gets covered by baseboards or quarter-round, so don’t worry about it looking unfinished.
🔗 Looking for click-lock vinyl that installs easily? See our Click-Lock Waterproof Vinyl collection.
Mistake #3: Choosing the Wrong Flooring for the Room
Not all flooring works everywhere. Just because something looks good doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for your space. Pick the wrong type, and you’ll be replacing it sooner than you’d like.
Common DIY Flooring Mistakes:
- Using hardwood in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms or basements—it swells, warps, and won’t last.
- Choosing cheap laminate for high-traffic spaces—it scratches easily and wears out fast.
- Skipping waterproof options in spill-prone areas like kitchens and mudrooms—big mistake.
How to Choose the Right Flooring:
✔ If the room gets a lot of moisture → Go with waterproof vinyl plank flooring instead of hardwood.
✔ If it’s a high-traffic area → Pick something scratch-resistant that can handle daily wear.
✔ If you have pets or kids → Choose a durable floor that’s easy to clean.
💡 Pro Tip: Want the look of hardwood without the maintenance? Engineered hardwood gives you real wood with better durability.
🔗 Not sure what works best for your space? Try our Flooring Cost Calculator to compare options.
Mistake #4: Rushing the Installation
Installing floors isn’t complicated, but if you rush, you’ll regret it. A lot of DIYers try to finish in a day and end up with misaligned planks, bad cuts, or seams that don’t sit flush.
What Happens When You Rush?
- Planks don’t lock in properly → Gaps start forming.
- Bad cuts around doorways → You waste material and it looks sloppy.
- Forgetting to acclimate flooring → The planks shift later, messing up the whole install.
How to Avoid This Mistake:
✔ Let the flooring acclimate in the room for at least 48 hours before installation.
✔ Measure twice, cut once. It’s much easier to take your time than to fix mistakes later.
✔ Check each plank as you go. If it’s not locking in tight, adjust it before moving on.
💡 Pro Tip: When cutting planks to fit, always leave a little extra rather than cutting them too short. You can trim more off, but you can’t add it back.
Final Thoughts: Get It Right the First Time
DIY flooring isn’t complicated, but cutting corners will cost you. Skip the prep, rush through installation, or pick the wrong flooring, and you’ll either be redoing the job or living with a floor you’re not happy with.
The good news? If you take your time and follow the right steps, you’ll get a floor that looks and performs like a pro installed it.
And if you’re looking for quality flooring that’s easy to install, we’ve got you covered at Discount Floors 2U. Whether you need waterproof vinyl, engineered hardwood, or something budget-friendly, we have options that fit your space and your DIY skills.
👉 Shop Our Best DIY Flooring Options → Waterproof Vinyl Flooring
Got questions? Need help choosing the right floor? We’re here to help.
About the Author: Richard Cavazos
