The best way to clean up an old RV is by replacing old, worn flooring with affordable and durable vinyl planks.
Benefits of Vinyl Plank
Vinyl plank flooring is an all-purpose product that comes in long planks that fit together with tongue and groove connectors. They come in a variety of looks and colours, most of which look just like traditional hardwood flooring.
Vinyl plank flooring is a great choice for an RV renovation because it is durable, inexpensive and easy to install. It can withstand the rougher conditions that come with RV camping while still looking great and performing well. It also withstands the drastic temperature changes that are inevitable in an RV in Alberta.
Remove the Old Flooring and Clean the Surface
The first step in your RV renovation is to remove as much as the old flooring as possible, especially if it is carpet. Depending on the RV, it may be impossible to remove the factory-installed flooring. If the old flooring is linoleum and still relatively smooth and flat, it may be best to just install the new vinyl planks on top of the old linoleum.
Carpet can be torn out with relatively little effort. A utility knife can be helpful for loosening the carpet from the walls. There may also be carpet staples that require pliers to remove. All staples must be removed before continuing. The Good Sam blog has some useful tips on removing old RV flooring.
After removal, it is important to thoroughly clean the floor from all dust, dirt and debris. A good degreasing cleaning agent and some elbow grease should be enough to prepare the surface for new vinyl plank flooring installation.
Install New Vinyl Plank
Once the surface has been prepared, it is time to install the new vinyl plank flooring. It can be easily glued down using construction glue. For any pieces that need to be trimmed, simply score at the desired length and bend to break off the unwanted portion. Any small gaps around the edges of the flooring can be filled with a matching wood filler.
Christine from DIY Mommy suggests laying out the planks before gluing them down in order to ensure sure the textures on each plank look good with the planks nearby. She also recommends staggering the pieces to achieve a more natural look. In her RV renovation, she added about an inch of overlap in the pullout section of the RV which matched up nicely when the side was expanded. Christine also added a reducer trim to finish off the edge of the pullout section.
Refreshed and Ready to Go
Replacing the old flooring in any RV with durable and attractive vinyl plank is a relatively inexpensive and simple way to freshen up the space. It is easier to clean, does not hold onto dirt and dust like carpet does, and is easy to install.
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