Preparing the Subfloor

• 1). Place the new flooring in the room where it will be laid to acclimate it to the humidity of the room for at least 2 days prior to being installed.
  
  
• 2). Remove any existing baseboard and doors to prevent them from causing obstruction while installing the flooring.
  
  
• 3). Examine the subfloor that the new linoleum will be laid over. Any bumps or dips need to be leveled; sweep the subfloor to remove any dirt or debris.
  
  
• 4). Sink all nail heads into the subfloor with a countersink to prevent the nails from damaging the new linoleum. Also walk across the subfloor and reinforce any areas that are squeaking by inserting a screw to tighten the subfloor down.
  
  
• 5). Fill in the seams of the subfloor with floor patching as recommended by the linoleum flooring manufacturer.
  
  

Preparing the Linoleum

• 1). Measure the room and add 3 inches to each side of the measurement. The extra 3 inches will provide enough extra linoleum to maneuver around obstacles or around corners.
  
  
• 2). Unroll the new flooring in a clean dry place. Take time to lay down a protective barrier if unrolling the linoleum on top of other existing flooring.
  
  
• 3). Cut a rough dimension of the room from the flooring with a sharp utility knife.
  
  
• 4). Roll up the cut linoleum and carry into the room where it will be installed and unroll. Let the extra 3 inches fold up the sides of the wall.
  
  
• 5). Cut away the excess linoleum with the sharp utility knife. Take time with these cuts to make them as clean and precise as possible. It may be helpful to use a scrap piece of wood to press the flooring against the wall and hold it secure while cutting the linoleum.
  
  
• 6). Cut around any obstacles such as vents or islands.
  
  

Laying the Linoleum

• 1). Pull back half of the linoleum and tape into place. If the linoleum shifts being rolled back, take time to move it back to the correct position. Once adhesive is applied it can be virtually impossible to move the flooring without causing damage.
  
  
• 2). Apply the adhesive to the subfloor as directed by the manufacturer. Different adhesives can have different requirements so it is important to apply the adhesive as directed. Adhesive is spread over the subfloor starting at the point farthest away from the linoleum and working toward the taped back flooring. Take care to apply the adhesive in an even layer.
  
  
• 3). Remove the tape holding the linoleum back and carefully unroll it onto the prepared adhesive and press firmly into place. Apply pressure to the linoleum starting in the middle of the glued portion and move out to the edge.
  
  
• 4). Roll over the flooring with a roller to press the linoleum into the adhesive and level out any clumps of adhesive under the linoleum.
  
  
• 5). Pull back the other half of the floor and tape back out of the way.
  
  
• 6). Spread adhesive over the other half of the subfloor starting in the point furthest away from the linoleum and spreading an even layer across the subfloor toward the pulled back flooring.
  
  
• 7). Remove the tape holding the flooring back and carefully unroll it into place over the adhesive and press firmly into place.
  
  
• 8). Roll over the flooring to press the flooring into the adhesive and eliminate any high points in the adhesive.
  
  
• 9). Close off the room and allow the floor to cure completely. Refer to the adhesive manufacturer's instructions for guidance on the amount of time needed to cure the floor.
  
  
• 10
  
  Reinstall baseboards with finishing nails and rehang doors.