This was the first real cosmetic project that started to make our van feel more like a home and less like a commercial vehicle. Installing a vinyl floor in a van is not a difficult project nor does it require any previous experience. We took our time and only made a few bad cuts along the way. Here’s how we did it.

Material, Tools, Cost & Labor

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[ebs_toggle active=”active” ocicon=”true” title=”Parts & Material” icon=”fa-gears” icontype=”fa” iconcolor=”#ffffff”]• Vinyl Flooring
• Vinyl Floor Tape
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[ebs_toggle active=”active” ocicon=”true” title=”Tools” icon=”fa-wrench” icontype=”fa” iconcolor=”#ffffff”]• Jigsaw
• Rubber Mallet
• Tape Measure
• Pencil
• Large ruler
• T-square
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[ebs_toggle active=”active” ocicon=”true” title=”Cost & Labor” icon=”fa-clock-o” icontype=”fa” iconcolor=”#ffffff”]Total Project Cost: $242.50
Installation Time: 8 Hours[/ebs_toggle]
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Process

Step 1: Selecting the Flooring

There are a lot of options when it comes to flooring in a camper van. Since it’s a small space, you can go with anything and it won’t cost a fortune but everything does have a price. I’ve seen wood, vinyl, linoleum, rubber, and laminate used in vans. I’ve never seen a tile floor –  probably for a good reason.

From our research, any roll of vinyl or rubber flooring works great for 100% water resistance on the floor (a must if you’re hauling wet kayaks or pee prone pups). Wood flooring looks good but is heavy, pricey, not water resistant and can easily be damaged compared to other flooring options.

For our build, we went with a 100% waterproof vinyl plank floor. Each plank clicks together with a really tight seal and has the look and texture of a laminate flooring. However, it’s slightly lighter and will hold up better to moisture and abrasion over time (we hope). We choose a darker grey color for the look and the side benefit of hiding dirt decently well. We bought ours at a local Floor & Decor store, but you can find several of options at any local flooring or big box home improvement store.

Step 2: Installing the Vinyl Flooring

We needed a jigsaw with a fine tooth blade to cut the vinyl planks, rubber mallet, tape measure and a pencil. The first row required several precision cuts to fit the planks around the van column, bed posts, and wheel well. Getting the first row correct and straight with the center line of the van is important to ensure the remaining planks go in straight and square.

You can get the center line by measuring the width of the van in the front and the rear. Then run a chalk line across the two points. Measuring from the center line to the edge of the board that runs against the wall will ensure the first row is laid straight.

Once the first row was in, we could start laying the following rows while staggering the joints as we went. To stager the joints we had to cut the planks to run up against the back of the cab area. We could use some of the off cuts for the rear threshold of the van later on.

After some incorrect attempts at connecting the planks on the first row we figured out the correct way to secure the planks together. The planks insert into one another along the long edge at an angle. The ends have a tight notch that hooks into the previous plank and requires using a rubber mallet to press them together. Once you get into a rhythm, you progress quickly.

To conceal (and yet still access) the seat brackets in the floor we cut out a section of the floor. We cut the board so the bead of the cut out can still be tucked into the floor to hold it into place. Once removed, the seats fit tightly into the brackets.

Our Experience

Installation Process

The install process really is fairly straightforward once you get going. The first row is the most important to get straight in the van. We have to pay extra attention to keeping the seams tight before locking them into place with the mallet. We quickly learned that if the boards were even slightly off it would cause problems with the next row.

The final row has a tendency to stick up from the floor some since it has no weight on the edge to hold it down. The vinyl floor tape worked to some degree, but our floor had a cork backing which didn’t play well with the tape. After installing the door trim, garage paneling, and walls this became a non-issue.

Since installed the floor before we installed cabinetry, the floor became super secure with the weight and mounting screws of the cabinets on top.

Performance

We experienced no noise, bowing, buckling or visible damage to speak of. Even with our two dogs jumping in and out of the van. the floor looks like new. I’d say it’s performed well so far.

In Retrospect

We’re still happy with the floor choice and it’s held up well throughout the rest of the build – and after multiple trips in the van with the dogs. I would have cut one of the seat bracket covers to keep it a regular rectangle if I were to do it again but other than that, we are happy with the install.

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