Walls are the backdrop to furniture, art, décor, and atmosphere. If you are staring at a plain, blank, or downright pitiful wall, you may be considering how you can add a little style, for a good price, that will continue to look great for decades to come. Maybe vinyl Flooring on the wall?
Can You Put Vinyl Flooring on the Wall?
Yes, vinyl is an increasingly popular choice for covering walls. Choosing vinyl plank or tile flooring for your walls can add texture, character, and accent to any room. It can also be an appealing choice for DIYers, because of how easy it can be to install. It is highly water-resistant, or waterproof in some cases, and easy to clean.
Vinyl can come in styles of stone, ceramic, porcelain, or marble tiles. It is most popular as an imitation wood plank, however. With so many varieties, your design options are almost limitless.
TIP: If you desire an accent wall, or you want to spruce up a bathroom or kitchen, vinyl planks or tiles are an easy choice.
Can You Use Vinyl Flooring on Bathroom Walls?
Bathrooms are commonplace for people to desire something appealing, but waterproof and easy to keep clean. You can find vinyl planks and tiles that meet these requirements.
How Much Does It Cost to Put Vinyl Flooring on Bathroom Walls?
The cost of vinyl flooring averages between $2 – $7 per square foot. Experts tend to agree that you will pay more for higher quality products, and lower cost products may be lower quality. You will need to add up the cost of any tools or adhesive for this project.
If you choose to hire a professional installer, you can expect to pay around $2 – $7 per square foot in labor, on average. Rates fluctuate based on the supply and demand of a particular area. Experienced and highly skilled professionals may set their rates based on their value, as well as the scope of the project.
Can I Use Vinyl Flooring as a Backsplash?
The backsplash can become an important detail in designing a kitchen renovation. Whether it is installed behind your sink, your refrigerator, or your stove/oven range, the material you choose needs to be durable and easy to clean grease and food messes from. Many people look to stone, marble, or porcelain tile for this job, but it can be costly, and best installed by a professional, usually.
More and more people are finding that vinyl planks and tiles make great and practical backsplashes. Vinyl flooring products are not yet styled to serve as a backsplash, however, so you will not have as many aesthetic options as tile specifically made for this space. With the current styles available, you are still likely to find a design that compliments your atmosphere.
If you ever wanted a sleek marble kitchen backsplash without the cost of real marble and the hassle of installing it, vinyl tile may feature exactly what you are looking for. If you want river rock, glass mosaic, or even brick veneer, you will not likely find it in vinyl flooring, yet.
How to Install Vinyl Flooring on the Wall
Follow this steps, when installing Vinyl Flooring on the Wall.
Choosing the Right Stuff
Only you can decide which pattern or style you love in your unique space. However, there are types of vinyl that are best suited for certain areas; waterproof in the kitchen, for example. Be sure to check your needs against the product’s capabilities. The right adhesive is also important, especially for troubling areas, such as bathrooms.
Always read installation instructions and manufacturer’s advisories before starting this project.
NOTE: Peel-and-Stick Vinyl type with an adhesive backing may not need extra adhesive, depending on which wall you are intending to install it on.
What You Will Need
- Vinyl planks or tiles of choice
- Adhesives such as Liquid Nails
- Rubber mallet
- Tapping block
- 3/16” Spacers
- Utility knife
- Level
- Tape measure
- Jigsaw
- Rubber roller
Prep Surface
In this first step, you will want to ensure the wall you are covering is smooth, clean, and ready for your vinyl upgrade. Carefully remove any old wall coverings such as dramatic texturing, tile, paneling, or wallpaper. Spackle and sand any small holes or imperfections. Clean away any grime, dirt, or dust. Prime walls that are painted, so your adhesive will perform at its best.
Note: Leave your wall for overnight to dry it completely because vinyl will not stick properly to a wet surface.
Start at the Bottom
The most efficient way to install vinyl on a wall is from the ground up. This method gives each row a sort of “shelf” to rest on, eliminating potential slipping and sagging as you put the vinyl up.
- Use spacers to keep a perimeter around the wall, allowing the vinyl to expand with temperature changes. Without this, it will buckle.
- Spread adhesive on the wall in just the spot where you are about to put vinyl and allow it to get tacky before pressing the first piece into place.
- Cover the vinyl with the rubber roller, making sure to touch every inch of the piece, especially the corners and edges. This will help adhere the vinyl fully to the wall.
- Straight cuts, such as at the end of the row, can be made by using the level as a straightedge, and scoring the vinyl with the utility knife until it can snap cleanly. Intricate cuts, for outlets, switches, or other intrusions, can be made with the jigsaw. Be careful, and use safety glasses and procedures.
Crawl Up The Wall
Make sure to check that each piece and row is level and evenly spaced from the edges of the wall. Stagger the seams of wood-looking vinyl planks about 6”-8” to keep a realistic pattern. Use the tapping block when working with click-lock planks to secure each piece together. Repeat the adhesive and rolling patterns for each tile or plank.
At the top, the last row of your vinyl, you will likely need to trim the planks or tiles. This can be done with the scoring-and-snapping method, but remember to keep the 3/16th space between the vinyl and ceiling.
Install Quarter Round
To cover the spacing needed for vinyl’s expansion, it is often recommended to install quarter-round, just like you would on the floor. Baseboards and crown molding can also hide these gaps.
Can you use vinyl peel and stick flooring on the walls?
The short answer is “probably yes”. Vinyl flooring usually comes with an adhesive backing, so it can be stuck directly to most walls. However, you should always check with the manufacturer to make sure that the wall surface is compatible, and be sure to follow their installation instructions closely.
Can you remove the peel and stick vinyl from the walls?
If you ever need to remove the vinyl from your walls, it is a fairly straightforward process. You can follow the below steps:
- Use a heat gun or hair dryer to loosen the adhesive
- Start scraping from a corner using a scraper or utility knife
- Remove the vinyl sheet gently, make sure not to damage the surface of the wall
TIP: You can use a citrus-based cleaner to remove any adhesive residue.
How to install peel and stick vinyl plank flooring on the wall?
Installing vinyl plank flooring on the wall is a great way to add some extra style and personality to your space. Plus, it’s a lot easier than you might think! Just follow these simple steps:
- Clean the Wall Surface – Make sure to clean the wall surface thoroughly before beginning to install the vinyl planks. This will help to ensure a good bond between the vinyl and the wall.
- Measure the Wall – Measure the wall carefully, making sure to take into account any outlets or switches that may be in the way. Order vinyl planks that are slightly larger than your measurements, to allow for some overlap.
- Cut the Vinyl Planks – Using a sharp utility knife or a jigsaw, cut the vinyl planks to fit the wall. Be sure to make straight cuts, and to allow for a 3/16″ space between the planks and the ceiling.
- Stick the Vinyl Planks to the Wall – Peel off the backing paper and stick the planks one by one to the wall. The arrows on the backing paper show the direction in which planks should be installed on the wall. Make sure to press them firmly into place. You can use a rubber roller to ensure good contact. If you’re using patterned vinyl planks, we recommend you start sticking them from the center of the wall for better results.
- Finish Up – Once you’re done with the whole wall, let the peel and stick adhesive dry for 72 hours. Then trim off any excess, look for any misalignments at the top and bottom corners. Then replace wall trim and switches and install decorations such as pictures.
TIP: Use caulk to seal any leftover gaps around the planks.
Watch this video for the detailed installation process of peel and stick vinyl planks on walls.
Can you use vinyl floor tiles on walls?
Yes, vinyl floor tiles can also be used on walls. However, it is important to note that they may not be as durable as vinyl plank flooring and may not last as long.
How to install vinyl floor tiles on walls?
- Clean the wall properly to remove dust and fix holes
- Measure the wall with the help of measuring tape and mark it with a pencil
- Remove lights, switches, and other decorations from your wall
- Take a utility knife and cut tiles as required
- Apply adhesive to the area where you want to put the tile
- Remove the backing paper, attach the tile to the adhesive and let it stick to the wall
Best adhesive for vinyl flooring on walls
When installing vinyl flooring, it is important to use a high-quality adhesive in order to achieve the best results. There are many different types of adhesives available on the market, so it can be difficult to know which one is right for your project.
But worry not, we have done your homework. Below are the top 3 adhesives also recommended by industry experts:
1. DAP Weldwood Multi-Purpose Adhesive
Weldwood Multi-Purpose Adhesive is a contact adhesive, which means it will form a strong bond once the two surfaces are in close contact hence making it a great choice for bonding vinyl flooring to walls. It is versatile; adheres well to multiple surfaces and can be used both above or below the ground projects.
Additionally, it is long-lasting, once put, your vinyl flooring will go nowhere. We recommend this product because It is also non-toxic and low-VOC, which means it is safe for both you and your environment.
Pros
- Unbreakable bonding – Sticks like crazy
- Quick grab to the surface
- Water-resistant and non-flammable
- Versatile – can be used on multiple surfaces
Cons
- Takes some time to dry – usually around 2 days
- The application process might be a little messy
- Difficult to remove from skin or clothes
2. Henry 356 MultiPro Adhesive
If you are looking for an adhesive that is specifically designed for vinyl flooring, we recommend the Henry 365 MultiPro Adhesive. It is a latex adhesive that bonds quickly and forms a durable bond – Once it is dry, your vinyl flooring will stay in place for a long time.
Plus, It forms a really strong initial grab so your vinyl flooring won’t curl up on the wall. Additionally, if there are any last-minute adjustments to be made, don’t worry – Henry 365’s bond integrity is top-notch so you can reposition all you want without damaging the vinyl sheet.
Pros
- Bonds quickly – less waiting time
- Dries fast – within a few hours
- Versatile – works well on a wide range of surfaces
- Easy to use and clean
Cons
- Smells a bit during the drying and curing process
- Takes some time to cure
2. Roberts 7350 Flooring Adhesive
ROBERTS 7350 is a high solid cross-linking formulation specifically designed for installing luxury/solid vinyl tiles and planks. It has tremendous bond and shear strengths, making it ideal for use with large format vinyl tiles. Plus, it has excellent moisture and plasticizer migration resistance – meaning your walls keep looking beautiful for the years to come.
Roberts has been a trusted brand with a long history and has a strong customer base. We recommend this product because of its bonding formula, ease of use and environmentally-friendly ingredients.
Pros
- Forms a durable bond – won’t come off easily
- Moisture and plasticizer migration resistance – making it a good choice for bathrooms
- Non-toxic, low odor, and safe for indoor use
- Easy to clean – just wipe with a cloth dipped in soapy water
Cons
- Long drying time
Is Vinyl Flooring Heat Resistant?
When considering vinyl flooring as a wall covering, especially in a kitchen where appliances frequently emit heat, it may occur to you that vinyl can be sensitive and may melt.
For the most part, vinyl is heat resistant up to 85 degrees. Do not install within 6-8 inches of any open flame, including fireplaces and gas ranges. Ovens or appliances that are missing a protective back piece may also cause vinyl to overheat. Check all manufacturer’s guidelines to make sure you are following all safety protocols.
Can Vinyl Flooring Be Used in Shower Stalls?
All over the internet, people are debating whether vinyl flooring can hold up if it is installed in a shower. If you do your research and choose the right waterproof product, it is possible to install vinyl on shower walls. Check all manufacturer’s warranties and warnings before choosing a product for this project, as some warranties may be void if they are installed in showers.
Can you put LVP on the walls?
Yes, you can install laminate vinyl planks on walls. If you are using textured vinyl, be aware that not all textures will look the same on the wall. Also, take care when installing as vinyl has a tendency to stretch and can easily be damaged if too much force is applied.
Can you nail vinyl plank flooring to the wall?
Yes, you can nail vinyl planks with the help of holes that should be pre-drilled to avoid splitting the planks. However, using an adhesive or double-sided tape is a much better option. This will help ensure a strong bond and prevent the planks from slipping or popping off the wall.
