Vinyl flooring is resilient but there will come a time when sections need repairing. Finding a match for the replacement piece could be one of the issues you'll face aside from the repair itself. We have looked into this matter and created a list to help you out with this concern.
When making a repair, here are ways to match your vinyl flooring:
- Use a scrap of the original.
- Borrow a piece from other parts of the house.
- Contact the store where you bought your flooring.
- Search online.
- Gather a sample.
- Take a picture of the floor.
- Start from scratch.
These are practical tips to ensure your search for the exact match is not too grueling and stressful. Keep on reading to find out more details that will help you with your repair.
Matching Vinyl Flooring When Making A Repair
Aside from the damage itself on your flooring, another concern you have is finding the replacement. Sometimes it can be a difficult and time-consuming task, but there are some solutions to this concern.
Use A Scrap Of The Original
You may have intentionally ordered extra when you were first installing vinyl flooring. It is a good idea to use the leftover materials so you’ll have matching pieces when doing a repair.
Proper storage is essential, though, so you'll have available pieces without a crease or crack.
Take A Piece From Other Parts Of The House
This may be surprising, but, yes, you can utilize the areas of the house with lesser traffic. If you have the same vinyl flooring installed, you may trim down the concealed part.
These are usually under cabinets, large appliances, or sofas. Use the “borrowed piece” as a replacement, and it’ll look as good as new.
Contact The Store
If you don’t have an extra piece for repair, you may want to reach out to the store where you bought the material. Chances are they still have the same one that you can purchase. In case they don’t have that stock, they may be able to connect you to someone who has.
Search Online
Nowadays, the internet is the go-to place when searching for anything. If you are not able to find the original piece from the store where you first purchased the item, you may check selling platforms like Amazon, Craigslist, eBay, or even Facebook Marketplace. Some retailers may have identical vinyl floorings they're willing to sell or swap.
Gather A Sample
When you are planning on going to different stores, it is best to not just trust your memory. If you can take a small sample while you are in search of the material, this will be better.
It is easier to compare colors, design elements, and texture if you have the actual piece.
Take A Picture Of The Floor
We have talked about taking a sample when buying a replacement piece. Sometimes, this is not feasible so taking a picture of the floor is the next sensible thing to do.
If you are doing this, make sure that you take a picture in natural light, as pictures can sometimes be unreliable due to poor or too much lighting.
Start From Scratch
When you are dealing with an older floor, there may be times when finding the perfect match is impossible. If all the other options on the list fail, and you are insistent on perfectly matching your vinyl floor, your last one is to start from scratch.
You may strip out the floor entirely to have a blank slate. You may pick a new flooring, maybe something similar in color or style to the old one.
How Do You Replace A Section Of Vinyl Flooring?
If you have minor damage to your floors, you can fix it yourself. This will definitely cost you less. When replacing sections of vinyl flooring, you need basic items such as the same section of the pattern of vinyl, a utility knife, a straightedge, adhesive, and a hand roller.
When you have the materials, follow these stress-free steps in matching your vinyl flooring:
- Cut a piece of matching material about an inch larger than the area you are changing and place it over the damaged area. Make sure that the patterns or lines are aligned to conceal your repair.
- Cut through both the damaged and the repair piece. You can use double-sided tape to secure both pieces. Use the straight edge along the area that you want to cut. Once done, remove the double-sided tape.
- Remove the damaged area by cutting it in the center and then start pulling the pieces carefully back to the edges and remove them. This will prevent further damage to the other parts.
- Apply seam adhesive around the perimeter. As much as possible, choose a water-resistant glue to make your repair last longer.
- Place the repair piece into the opening.
- Instead of placing heavy objects on top of the repaired vinyl to make sure it sticks, use a hand roller and make sure that you roll in multiple directions.
- Wipe the adhesive that reached the surface with a clean cloth and keep this area restricted until the adhesive dries. Drying may take up to 24 hours.
Click here to see this floor adhesive on Amazon.
What Ruins Vinyl Floors?
Most vinyl floors are resistant. However, proper care is still needed for them to last for years. There are several reasons for vinyl damage:
Improper movement of appliances, couches, or other heavy equipment often damages your vinyl floor. When moving them, use furniture sliders.
These are special pads that you put underneath furniture legs so you can glide them across the floor without leaving a mark. Do not use rubber, as this can stain your floor.
Click here to see this furniture slider on Amazon.
Spilled liquid can also stain your floor if left for a long period of time. Aside from stains, liquids can also seep through the gaps on the floor, and it can destroy the glue that is holding your vinyl. Wipe the liquid with a dry clean cloth as soon as possible.
Detergent, vinegar, or wax may leave a mark on your floors. Do not use them for cleaning. If possible, use a cleaner that’s not too harsh.
Click here to see this vinyl cleaner on Amazon.
Walking with your shoes on may also damage the floor. Dirt acts as sandpaper removing the finish from the floor. If you can’t remove your shoes, use a doormat to keep dirt out.
Can You Mix and Match Vinyl Flooring?
There are two main types of vinyl flooring: luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and vinyl roll. It is easier to do mixing and matching with LVT as it comes in tile or planks.
You may alternate different planks as you wish. You only have to do some color or design coordination to achieve that aesthetic look you are going for. It will also be easy to replace in case repairs are needed.
If you are using vinyl rolls, it is still possible. However, you may do it in sections and as a transitional design. This is because vinyl sheets are bigger.
For example, you may use a different color pattern in the living room and then transition to a different pattern or texture in the kitchen.
Ultimately, if you want to mix and match, it is up to you. There is no hard rule in mixing and matching as long as you are coordinating the colors and designs.
Is It OK To Have The Same Flooring Throughout The House?
It is perfectly fine to have the same flooring throughout your house. In fact, this will help your house look bigger, and the appearance of a continuous space is appealing. It is also easier to clean as you only need one tool to do so.
In contrast, having different flooring breaks the monotonous look. Using different flooring also defines the function of each room. If the flooring is different in each room, it is easier to patch or replace.
At the end of the day, it is up to you to do whichever suits your style and your needs.
To Sum It All Up
Matching the vinyl floor when you are repairing it is like building a puzzle. You have to find the perfect fit by using the same pattern, if not an almost identical one, so it’ll look like nothing happened.
Having extra or saving some excess materials from when you first installed your flooring will greatly help. You will be able to save this way, as you already have a backup in case repairs are needed.
If you find this article helpful, and you want to know more about vinyl flooring, check out these articles: