DIY Network

Upgrading a Family Room: Remove and Install Vinyl Floor and Replace Bar Top From "Weekend Remodeling" episode WKR-105

Details on installing a vinyl floor and on replacing an old bar top.

On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the hardest, this project is a 3.

Install Half Wall Top = 3 hours
Remove and Install Vinyl Floor and Replace Bar Top = 5 hours
Finish Bar Top and Install Cabinets = 5 hours
Install Crown and Moldings and Light Fixtures = 5 hours

Total hours spent on Part 2 = 18 hours

We spent approximately $1,900 on supplies. If you were to hire a contractor to do this job, you would probably spend around $3,100. (Instructions continued below)

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Materials:

vinyl adhesive remover
vinyl flooring
heavy-duty vinyl scraper
vinyl adhesive remover
vinyl adhesive
maple bar top
maple top for half wall
router
2" finish nails
maple wood filler
sandpaper
sanding block
heavy-duty scraper or rented power scraper
face mask
floor fan
1/4-inch concrete nails
3/4-inch plywood
2-inch wood screws
3/4-inch piece maple
wood clamps
1-1/4-inch wood screws
120-grit sandpaper
light fixtures
polyurethane
painting supplies
crown molding
baseboard molding
2 x 4 x 8 studs

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H

1. On the show, the family room had carpet and vinyl. We removed the old vinyl in the bar area and replaced it with new vinyl. To remove old vinyl, remove the transition strips (figure A) that hold the carpet in place.

2. Use a heavy-duty scraper to remove the old vinyl (figure B). It is hard work. The old vinyl will probably come up in small pieces and in some areas the paper backing separates from the vinyl itself and remains on the floor.

   Expert Tip: If you have a large amount of vinyl flooring to remove, you might consider renting a power scraper. They are available from most rental outlets and you can rent them by the hour.

3. With the old vinyl removed, the only way to remove the remaining paper backing and dried glue is to use an adhesive remover. Apply it with a brush and spread it out evenly. This glue is extremely strong, so use a fan to ventilate the room to the outside of the house. Once the glue soaks it, the paper backing and vinyl come up much easier.

4. If there is a notch left in the carpet where the bar was, cut the carpet back to create a new straight line.

5. Once the floor is clean and thoroughly dry, set the new vinyl in place. Make sure it is straight and then use a straight edge to trim it along the walls (figure C).

6. At the carpet, trim the vinyl back to fit just underneath the edge.

7. Once the vinyl is trimmed and in position, roll half the vinyl back and begin applying the adhesive. Use a trowel with 1/8-inch teeth and spread the adhesive ( figure D) evenly. It is important to cover all the floor with adhesive -- do not leave any bare spots. Because it is concrete, you can apply the vinyl after the adhesive is on the floor. Roll half the vinyl onto the adhesive.

8. You need to get rid of any air bubbles. A push broom or anything with a flat surface (figure E) will work great to remove the air bubbles.

9. Repeat this process for the other side of the vinyl.

10. To bring the vinyl and carpet together, nail the new transition strips into place using 1/4-inch concrete nails. Tuck the carpet in the tackless transition strips (figure F) and the new vinyl floor is complete.

11. To replace an old bar top, you need to remove the screws from underneath and remove the top.

12. Install a rough sheet of 3/4-inch plywood cut to 22-1/4-inch deep. This will give you the overhang you need for a bar top. Since plywood is 8 foot long, we had to add a 6-inch piece to the end in order to reach the desired length for a new top.

13. To make it less noticeable, place the seam on the end nearest the wall. Since you are placing the new top directly onto the counter, attach the first piece of 3/4-inch plywood directly to the frame using 2" wood screws.

14. Place a second sheet -- a 3/4-inch piece of maple -- on top of the plywood (figure G). You will need to add a 6-inch piece just like you did for the first layer.

15. Once everything is lined up, use clamps to hold it all in place. Finally, to be sure you don't come through your top piece, add the thickness of the two boards together and attach it with 1-1/4-inch wood screws. Install them from underneath (figure H) in order to have a nice smooth surface.

RESOURCES :
Flooring Basics (Basic Series)
ISBN: 0806958979
Author: Rick Peters
Order this book from Amazon.com.
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com

Paint (Pittsburgh Coatings and Supply Co.)
Pittsburgh Coatings and Supply Co
Knoxville, TN 37921
Phone: 865-525-2222

Fireplace Doors (Hearth and Patio)
Hearth and Patio
Knoxville, TN 37922
Phone: 865-693-0770

Light Fixtures (American Lighting)
American Lighting
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: 865-694-0028

Cabinets and Upper Units (Encompass Cabinetry Coordinators)
Encompass Cabinetry Coordinators
Knoxville, TN Phone: 865-389-0542

Vinyl Flooring (Broadway Carpets)
Broadway Carpets
Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: 865-525-5511

Couch Slipcovers (Waverly Fabrics)
Waverly Fabrics
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-213-7900
Fax: 212-213-7682
Email: waverly@fsco.com
Website: www.waverly.com

Sunset Ideas for Great Floors
ISBN: 0376011785
Author: Sunset
Order this title from Amazon.
Sunset Publishing Company (Division of Time Warner)
Website: www.sunset.com

Lighting Design and Installation
ISBN: 1589230957
Author: Editors, Creative Publishing
Order this title from Amazon.
Creative Publishing International, Inc.
Website: www.creativepub.com

Walls and Ceilings: Build, Remodel, Repair
ISBN: 1580110304
Author: Christopher Hoolihan
Order this title from Amazon.
Creative Homeowner Press
Website: www.creativehomeowner.com