How to Upgrade Your RV Flooring

Travelling in an RV offers comfort and convenience for exploring new destinations, but fluctuations in climate can lead to damage like cracking, warping, or rotting of your RV flooring. Luckily, with just a few tools and some hard work, you can easily replace the flooring in your RV! Before starting the replacement process, make sure to remove any trim, clear out furniture obstacles, and wear appropriate safety gear. Once you've prepared, you can proceed to remove the old flooring and install new materials. Your RV will look as good as new in no time!

Determine the square footage of your floors. Utilize a tape measure to gauge the dimensions of your floor layout. Consider sketching a diagram of your RV's floor plan to refer to while shopping for flooring materials.

Consider removing furniture if necessary. Removing furniture in your RV might not always be required for floor replacement. However, if you're replacing the subfloor or want the new flooring to extend under furniture like the couch or table, you'll need to remove it.

• Deciding whether to install new flooring under furniture is mostly based on aesthetics, unless the subfloor is damaged.
• Furniture in an RV is typically bolted down, so you'll likely need a wrench to remove it.

Take off any trim around walls and cabinets. Use a crowbar to gently pry the trim off. If the trim is in good condition, remove it carefully and set it aside for reinstallation after laying down the new flooring. If it's damaged or warped, discard it and purchase new trim.

Get your safety gear ready. If you'll be using a saw, ensure you have safety goggles and a face mask nearby. Additionally, consider wearing heavy leather or canvas gloves to protect your hands during work. It's wise to have these items on hand before starting your project in case you need them.

• Open windows and doors to improve ventilation in the area.

Use pliers to extract the staples securing the carpet. Removing carpet from an RV can be time-consuming due to the numerous staples. Grip each staple with pliers and rock them back and forth until they release.

• Some individuals prefer using a hammer and mallet to remove staples. Hook the hammer's claw under the staple and tap it with the mallet to loosen it.

Inspect the subfloor once you've removed the old carpet. Look for dark spots, soft areas, or cracks on the plywood subfloor. If you find any damage, carefully use a skill saw to cut around the affected area. Replace the damaged section by fastening new marine plywood to the joists beneath the subfloor.

• Marine plywood is designed to withstand temperature changes and moisture, making it ideal for use in a mobile vehicle.
• Always wear safety goggles and a face mask when operating a skill saw.

Explore the remnants section at a nearby store when purchasing new carpet. Many carpet stores offer leftover pieces from larger installations at discounted prices. Since you won't need much carpet for your RV, you can save money by finding a remnant that fits your requirements.

• Remnants are often kept in a separate area, so don't hesitate to ask a store employee for assistance.

Sweep your subfloor before beginning the installation process. Despite your best efforts to remove all staples during the carpet removal, you may miss a few. Thoroughly sweep the plywood to ensure there are no staples remaining that could poke through the carpet after installation.

Secure your carpet to the subfloor using staples for a permanent attachment. Starting from one corner of the RV, use a staple gun to staple the carpet every 4 inches (10 cm). Pull the carpet tightly as you work across the room to prevent wrinkles and ensure a smooth installation.

Use furniture to anchor your carpet if you prefer not to staple it down. Some RV owners opt against stapling their carpet to the subfloor to facilitate regular removal for cleaning, especially if they have pets accompanying them on their travels.

Conceal the gaps between the carpet and the wall using trim. Typically, flooring is laid before the walls in an RV, leaving a small gap between the floor and the wall. To hide this gap, reinstall the trim you removed earlier or purchase new trim if desired.

• Be cautious when nailing the trim to avoid damaging the exterior of the RV.

Replace any furniture that was removed. After installing the new flooring and securing the trim, it's time to return your furniture to its place. Use a wrench to tighten bolts securely to prevent movement while the RV is in motion.

Use a crowbar or flathead screwdriver to lift stick-on vinyl tiles. Removing vinyl stick-on tiles is usually straightforward. Insert a small crowbar or flathead screwdriver beneath the tile and gently pry upwards to release the adhesive.

Inspect the subfloor for any damage and repair as needed. While new vinyl tiles can often be laid over existing flooring, removing the current tiles allows for a thorough inspection of the subfloor's condition.

• If mold or rot is present, use a skill saw to remove the damaged section. Replace it with a new sheet of marine plywood cut to size.
• Always exercise caution when using a skill saw. Wear protective eyewear and a face mask to shield against debris.

Choose peel and stick vinyl tile for hassle-free installation. Peel-and-stick vinyl tile comes in various thicknesses and designs, catering to different budgets. It's an excellent choice for a durable floor that requires minimal effort to install.

Ensure the subfloor is clean before laying the new tile. A dirty subfloor can prevent proper adhesion of the peel-and-stick vinyl tile. Thoroughly clean the entire subfloor to remove dirt, dust, or debris before beginning the installation process.

• If the subfloor appears greasy, slimy, or stained, wash it with soap and water, then allow it to dry completely before proceeding with the tile installation.

Begin laying tiles from the center of the room and work outward. Center square tiles to ensure any irregular cuts are positioned along the room's perimeter. Remove the paper backing from each tile, place it in position, and firmly press down to ensure proper adhesion to the subfloor.

• Use a utility knife to trim edge pieces as needed when reaching the walls.

Reinstall any trim that was removed. Securely nail the trim back in place, being careful not to damage the exterior. Consider painting the trim to complement your new vinyl tile for a refreshed appearance.

• Exercise caution when nailing the trim to avoid puncturing the RV's exterior.

Securely reinstall any furniture that was removed. Use a wrench to tightly bolt chairs, tables, or cabinets back into position. It's essential to ensure the furniture is securely anchored to prevent movement while the RV is in motion.

Remove existing plank flooring using a crowbar. Laminate planks typically interlock in a tongue-and-groove pattern and are usually not affixed to the subfloor with adhesive or nails. As you pry up the planks, they should easily detach from each other.

Check and repair any subfloor damage, if necessary. Changes in climate and excessive humidity can lead to plywood subfloor damage in your RV, such as rotting. If you observe any indications of damage, like black discoloration, soft spots, cracks, or warping, use a skill saw to remove the affected area, then replace it with new plywood.

• Consider using marine plywood for RVs as it offers resistance to temperature and humidity fluctuations.

Start installation along the longest wall for new laminate planks. Beginning with the longest pieces minimizes the need for cuts when using tongue-and-groove planks. Each cut reduces the number of joints, so fewer cuts are preferable.

Position the first plank with the female side facing outward. The female side of the plank features an inward groove, while the male side has a protruding piece that fits into the groove. Align the male connector of the second piece with the female side of the first piece, then gently tap the second plank with a mallet to secure it in place.

• Continue this process along the wall.

Use spacers when installing plank flooring to accommodate expansion and contraction. Spacers prevent floor warping during temperature fluctuations in your RV. Place at least 2 spacers along each wall during installation.

• Some plank flooring includes spacers, but if not, you can buy them at a flooring supply store.

Trim the remaining planks to size using a utility knife or jigsaw. While most pieces can be cut with a utility knife, a jigsaw offers more precision for detailed cuts.

Install the trim you previously removed. Rounded trim adds a polished look to your new flooring and conceals any gaps between the floor and the wall.

• Exercise caution when nailing in an RV to avoid puncturing the exterior.

Reposition any furniture that was taken out. Secure the furniture with a wrench to ensure stability during RV movement, then enjoy your revamped camper!