Detailed guide to installing stone-look vinyl flooring in 2025

Stone-look vinyl flooring (SPC flooring) is popular for its high aesthetic appeal and superior moisture and slip resistance, suitable for wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, etc. Installing stone-look vinyl flooring is not too difficult, but to achieve beautiful and long-lasting results, you need to master the correct procedures and techniques. This article will guide you through the detailed steps of installing stone-look vinyl flooring from industry experts to help you install stone-look vinyl flooring with the best results.

Which type of stone-look vinyl flooring is good?

Currently, there are thousands of stone-look vinyl flooring designs from various brands on the market. Each type of stone-look vinyl flooring has its own advantages and disadvantages, so choosing the right stone-look vinyl flooring for your needs and budget is not easy.

Glue-down vinyl flooring with a stone look is inexpensive but difficult to repair because the adhesive can damage the substrate if not done carefully. Conversely, click-lock vinyl flooring with a stone look is more durable, easier to replace and reuse, but quite expensive.

In addition, you need to consider criteria such as thickness, design, brand, and warranty before purchasing stone-look vinyl flooring to meet your usage needs.

Some reputable stone-look vinyl flooring brands include Galaxy Eco, Galaxy VN, MSFloor, Matfloor, Glotex, MIA, Inovar...

Galaxy Eco Stone-look Vinyl Flooring

Refer now to 140+ affordable and durable stone-look vinyl flooring designs

Steps for installing stone-look vinyl flooring

The installation process for stone-look vinyl flooring may vary slightly depending on the type of project (residential, commercial, industrial) and the type of vinyl flooring (glue-down or click-lock). However, there are 4 basic steps for installing stone-look vinyl flooring as follows.

Step 1: Prepare tools

To ensure a smooth installation process, you need to prepare all the necessary materials, tools, and equipment, such as:

• Stone-look vinyl flooring planks
• Specialized cutter or handheld cutting machine
• Specialized adhesive (for glue-down vinyl flooring)
• Measuring tape, laser level (if necessary)
• Temporary adhesive tape

Note: Before starting, measure the area to be installed to estimate the sufficient quantity of flooring planks and adhesive (if any), avoiding shortages or excessive surplus materials.

Preparing tools for installing stone-look vinyl flooring

Step 2: Inspect and prepare the substrate

Proper substrate preparation is crucial to ensure the durability and aesthetics of the stone-look vinyl flooring after installation.

• Ensure the space is well-ventilated and safe by removing all obstructing items such as electronic equipment, tables, chairs, cabinets, etc., from the installation area.
• Ensure the substrate surface is flat, dry, and clean: use a damp cloth to wipe the floor to remove dust and dirt, helping the adhesive bond firmly and effectively.

Substrate treatment options (if necessary)

• Fill cracks and large holes in the substrate.
• Sand the floor surface if it is too slippery.
• Apply a moisture barrier if the substrate has high humidity.

Step 3: Install the stone-look vinyl flooring

According to the professional stone-look vinyl flooring installation process, you need to:

• Prepare the flooring planks

Use a specialized cutter or handheld cutting machine to cut the stone-look vinyl flooring planks to the correct shape and size as measured. Remember to remove any excess edges or corners to avoid affecting the aesthetics of the floor.

Spread a thin, even layer of specialized adhesive on the underside of the stone-look vinyl flooring plank. You can apply the adhesive in a zigzag pattern to increase adhesion and prevent it from drying too quickly.

• Lay the flooring: place each stone-look vinyl flooring plank in its predetermined position, use temporary adhesive tape while waiting for the adhesive to dry for about 15-20 minutes. Apply even pressure on the surface of the plank to ensure there are no air bubbles or gaps between the planks.

Installing stone-look vinyl flooring

Note for installing click-lock stone-look vinyl flooring

For click-lock vinyl flooring, you do not need to use adhesive. Instead, lay an additional 1-2mm thick foam underlayment under the flooring planks. This foam layer makes the floor quieter underfoot and prevents moisture from rising from the substrate.

Step 4: Clean and finish

The final step to complete the installation of stone-look vinyl flooring is to clean the entire floor surface again with a soft damp cloth to clean and remove any remaining excess adhesive or dirt. Do not use strong cleaning chemicals to avoid scratching or damaging the floor surface.

If the flooring planks have a protective nylon layer, you need to peel it off to reveal the beautiful, glossy stone pattern.

Check the joint areas to ensure there are no gaps or unevenness. If necessary, use skirting boards or white silicone adhesive to fill the seams and create a seamless look.

Allow the floor to dry and stabilize for at least 24-48 hours before use to ensure proper adhesive bonding.

Cleaning after installing stone-look vinyl flooring

Safety precautions during installation:

• Wear gloves when using adhesives and chemical materials.
• Wear a mask when cutting vinyl flooring to avoid inhaling dust.
• Ventilate the installation area to reduce chemical odors and create a breathable working environment.

With the 4 steps for installing stone-look vinyl flooring above, you can ensure superior aesthetics and durability for your project.

Cost of installing stone-look vinyl flooring

The cost of installing stone-look vinyl flooring can vary depending on the following main factors.

1. Cost of stone-look vinyl flooring material

Depending on the design, thickness, and brand, stone-look vinyl flooring has different prices.

• Glue-down stone-look vinyl flooring: has the lowest cost, typically ranging from 125,000 VND/m² – 210,000 VND/m², suitable for small areas or limited budgets.
• Click-lock stone-look vinyl flooring: approximately 245,000 VND/m² – 535,000 VND/m² because click-lock vinyl flooring is more durable and has better load-bearing capacity.

Refer to the latest stone-look vinyl flooring price list

2. Transportation costs

The transportation fee depends on the distance from the warehouse to the project site, the volume of materials, and the seller's policy. At Thien Ha Floor, customers receive free shipping within Ho Chi Minh City for orders over 50m².

(Please contact Hotline 0909 192 557 for a detailed quote).

3. Labor costs

The labor cost for installing stone-look vinyl flooring can vary depending on the region, the complexity of the project, and the skill of the installer. Typically, the installation labor cost ranges from 40,000 to 80,000 VND/m², with costs potentially higher in major cities.

Additionally, projects with many corners, small spaces, difficult substrate surfaces, or special requirements such as moisture resistance or replacing old flooring panels may incur additional installation costs.

4. Accessory costs

• Adhesive

The cost of specialized vinyl flooring adhesive (if applicable) depends on the type of adhesive and the installation area. On average, you will spend about 60,000 – 90,000 VND/kg of adhesive.

• Other accessories

Installing click-lock stone-look vinyl flooring requires foam underlayment, which costs 10,000 - 20,000 VND/m², making the floor quieter and more stable.

Skirting boards, base trims: are accessories used to finish the floor surface, covering the gaps between the floor and the walls. The price of trims ranges from 20,000 to 30,000 VND/m depending on the material and style.

Therefore, the cost of installing stone-look vinyl flooring = Material cost + Accessory cost + Transportation cost + Labor cost + Other miscellaneous costs (wastage cost).

Applications of stone-look vinyl flooring

Common mistakes to avoid when installing stone-look vinyl flooring

• Improper substrate preparation

The substrate surface must be clean, dry, flat, and free of dust and grease. Cracks, holes, or moisture barriers must be addressed if necessary.

• Choosing the wrong type of adhesive

You must choose a specialized adhesive for stone-look vinyl flooring and follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure effective installation.

• Incorrect installation technique for stone-look vinyl flooring

Adhere to the correct installation process, apply adhesive evenly and firmly, align the flooring planks carefully to avoid gaps between the joints.

• Failure to accurately calculate the required materials

You should measure and calculate the area carefully, and prepare sufficient quantities of flooring and adhesive before installation.

• Using low-quality stone-look vinyl flooring

Purchase vinyl flooring from reputable brands with clear warranty policies and proven quality.

Thien Ha Floor is a leading brand in the supply and installation of various types of vinyl flooring, laminate flooring, vinyl sheet flooring, and outdoor wood-plastic flooring in Vietnam. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, Thien Ha Floor is proud to offer superior quality stone-look vinyl flooring products that meet all customer needs, from home spaces to large projects.