Ethan Clarke
Installing plastic floor trim is a great way to add a professional, finished look to your floor. It can be used to cover edges, camouflage expansion spaces, and bridge surfaces between different types of flooring. Before installing, it is important to determine the type of trim you need based on the edges of the room and any fixtures that meet the floor, such as cabinets, fireplaces, stairways, and doorways. Plastic floor trim can be installed using a variety of methods, including gluing, nailing, or stapling, and it is important to plan for trim and molding in advance to avoid last-minute issues.
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What You'll Learn
Planning: Consider the edges of the room and any features that meet the floor
Planning is key when installing plastic floor trim. You should consider the edges of the room and any features that meet the floor. This includes installed cabinets, fireplaces, stairways, doorways, and transitions between floorings. For example, if you have a doorway, you will need to use a transition (T-molding) rather than continuing the flooring through, as this will allow for expansion. Similarly, for transitions between a wood floor and carpet, you can use a threshold trim or end cap/square nose molding.
If your floor meets a fireplace, you will need to trim out an area around the hearth using an undercut saw with a diamond-tipped blade. You will need to make two cuts: one at the vertical height level of the floor and the second flush with the subfloor. Then, chisel the area between the two cuts for the flooring to slide between.
For stairs, if your floor will end under the floating edge of the stairs and requires expansion room, you will need overlap stair nosing or bull nose trim. If your stairs end flush, use flush or square edge stair nosing.
If your floor meets a sliding glass door, you can use a threshold trim to bridge the gap and leave an expansion gap in place.
Additionally, if you are installing trim around the walls, you will need to use baseboards to cover the gaps left by expansion space. You can use decorative or plain baseboards, with quarter-round or shoe edge molding at the bottom to conceal additional gaps.
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Tools: Use a nail gun for precision and efficiency
Using a nail gun is a great way to achieve a precise and efficient installation of plastic floor trim. Nail guns offer a faster and more enjoyable alternative to hand nailing, which can be time-consuming and tedious. With a nail gun, you can quickly and securely fasten the trim to the floor, ensuring a neat and durable finish.
There are a variety of nail guns available, including pneumatic, battery-powered, and cordless options. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of power, portability, and cost. For example, a pneumatic nail gun provides strong and consistent nailing but requires an air compressor, while a battery-powered or cordless nail gun offers more flexibility and convenience.
When using a nail gun for plastic floor trim installation, it is essential to use the correct type of nails. Finish nails are typically recommended for trim work, but they may not be suitable for all materials. For example, PVC trim expands and contracts significantly with temperature changes, so using a siding nailer with ring shank or stainless steel nails is often preferred.
To ensure the best results and avoid damage to the trim, it is crucial to use the nail gun properly. Pre-drilling the nail holes is highly recommended, especially when using harder nails, as it helps prevent splitting and splintering of the trim. Additionally, paying attention to the placement of the nails is important. For baseboards, most of the nails should be driven near the top to keep the top edge tight and avoid the board from tipping into any depressions in the wall.
By using a nail gun with the appropriate type of nails and following best practices, you can efficiently and effectively install plastic floor trim, achieving a professional and durable finish.
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Expansion gaps: Leave a 3/8” gap around fixed objects, conceal with trim
When installing plastic floor trim, it is important to leave an expansion gap around fixed objects, such as installed cabinets, fireplaces, stairways, and doorways. This gap allows for the expansion and contraction of the flooring material and helps to prevent buckling, cracking, or pulling away from the wall. The recommended size of this expansion gap is 3/8", and it can be concealed with trim, moulding, pipe rings, or vent covers.
To achieve a professional and finished look, the trim should match the colour and grain pattern of the flooring as closely as possible. It is also important to consider the type of trim that will be used, such as threshold trim, stair nosing, or baseboards. For example, if your floor ends under the floating edge of stairs and requires expansion room, overlap stair nosing or bull nose trim should be used. On the other hand, if the stairs end flush, square edge stair nosing is more suitable.
Before installing the trim, it is recommended to acclimate the mouldings for 72 hours and to pre-drill the holes to avoid splitting and splintering when fastening with nails or staples. When installing shoe edge or quarter-round mouldings, it is important not to drive in nails or staples at a downward angle, as this may interfere with the floor expansion area. Instead, baseboards and other trim can be attached to the wall every 16 inches on the studs using staples or finishing nails.
When concealing the expansion gap, transitional T-mouldings are typically glued in place to the subfloor. For an unbroken look, the trim should be spliced using miter cuts, with the long point of the miter oriented away from the room's main entryway. This creates a seamless appearance as you enter the room. By following these steps and allowing for the recommended expansion gap, you can ensure the proper installation of plastic floor trim and maintain the functionality and aesthetics of your flooring.
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Gluing: Use PVC cement to glue joints together
When gluing joints together for your plastic floor trim, use PVC cement. This is a reliable method to ensure a fast, leak-free seal.
First, wipe the inside of the fitting and the outside of the pipe with PVC primer and allow it to dry for about 10 seconds. Then, spread an even layer of solvent PVC cement on the inside of the fitting and outside of the pipe. Ensure you cover all mating surfaces with an even layer of cement.
Before pressing the pieces together, make alignment marks on the PVC joints to ensure the correct orientation. Once you have pressed the pieces together, you will only have a few seconds to adjust the alignment.
It is important to ensure you have adequate ventilation when working with PVC primer and solvent cement, as the solvent vapors can be dangerous to your health.
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Finishing: Paint the trim to match the walls
Painting plastic floor trim to match the walls can be a simple process, but it requires some preparation. Firstly, you'll want to install the trim before painting it. If you're painting a room's existing trim, you can skip this step. If you're painting a new trim, safely secure it to the wall using your desired technique.
Before painting, it's important to prepare the trim. Start by removing any furniture from the work area and laying down a drop cloth to protect your floor from paint drips. Next, use a damp sponge to clean the trim, removing any dirt or grease buildup. If your trim has nailheads, use a nail set to push them below the surface of the wood. Fill any nail holes, dents, or damaged areas with wood filler or spackling compound, allowing it to dry before sanding smooth with fine-grit sandpaper. If there are any cracks or gaps between the trim and the wall, fill them with caulk.
Once the trim is prepared, it's time to prime and paint. Apply painter's tape to mask off the trim from the surrounding areas. Use a small paintbrush to apply a compatible primer in one even coat and allow it to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. After priming, use fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface, then remove the dust with a microfiber cloth. Choose a paint colour that matches your walls and apply it with a paintbrush in long, even strokes, taking your time to ensure a smooth finish. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly before removing the painter's tape by pulling it away from the wall at a 45-degree angle.
By following these steps, you can achieve a professional finish and seamlessly blend your plastic floor trim with the colour of your walls.
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Frequently asked questions
To install plastic floor trim, you can use glue or nails. If you are gluing the trim, use PVC cement as wood glue does not work well with PVC. If you are nailing the trim, use a nail gun to get the trim placed exactly where you want it.
When gluing plastic floor trim, use PVC cement to glue joints together. If you are using cope joints, there is no need to use any adhesive. If you are installing the trim when the temperature is around 70°F, it is unlikely to move much later on.
When nailing plastic floor trim, use a nail gun to fasten the trim in place. Pre-drill to avoid splitting and splintering. If you are installing shoe edge or quarter-round moldings, do not drive in nails at a downward angle as this may interfere with the floor expansion area.
