Simple DIY Duravana Plank Flooring Installation (updated 2025)

We’ve done a lot of DIY home projects over the years, but this one made a huge impact—fast. Installing Duravana plank flooring from Lumber Liquidators instantly transformed the look of our main living space. I couldn’t wait to share it. This is one of the easiest flooring installs I’ve ever done, and I’m walking you through everything—from subfloor prep to snapping the final plank into place. Plus, I’ve added a video update showing how it’s held up (spoiler: still obsessed).

Installing Duravana plank flooring in front of a stone fireplace, mid-project with old wood floors still partially visible.
Finished dining room with Duravana plank flooring, black dining chairs, a wood table, and a staircase with new bullnose treads.

Watch How Our Duravana Plank Flooring Has Held Up

Here’s a quick update showing how well our Duravana plank flooring has held up over time with kids, pets, and a whole lot of life.

LL Flooring launched their new Duravana plank flooring line, and it’s awesome. It’s the latest and greatest in flooring technology. They combined all the best features of vinyl, laminate, and wood, to create an ultra-hybrid plank flooring that’s superior to anything on the market. I love that it’s family-friendly, eco-friendly, waterproof, and dent/scratch-resistant.

Duravana plank flooring is also easy to cut, and with a simple snap and tap, there are minimum tools needed for installation. You could easily finish an install in one afternoon for a moderate sized room. Duravana is seriously the future of hard surface flooring.

And since then? We’ve even used their bullnose stair planks to give our stairs a full makeover too—check out that tutorial here.

Close-up of stairs finished with Duravana bullnose plank treads and a vintage-style stair runner installed over the top.

Tools and Materials for Installing Duravana Plank Flooring

Here’s everything we used to install our new wood floors

Duravana Hybrid Resilient Flooring– the style I chose is Bay Bridge Oak
Carpenter’s Square
Floor Installation Kit
Quikrete Setting Cement
Putty Knife
Tape Measure
Table Saw
Knee Pads
Miter Saw
Flooring Mallet
Long Pro Pull Bar
Vapor Barrier
¾” Particle Board
Drill
Screws

How to Prep a Subfloor Before Installing Plank Flooring

Before laying any flooring, you’ve gotta get that subfloor right. Ours had tile (yay!) and uneven concrete (not yay). We jackhammered up the tile and patched low spots with fast-setting cement.

We also had to level out a section near our front door by feathering out cement to gradually smooth the elevation difference.

Spreading leveling cement across uneven subfloor to create a smooth surface for floating floors.

Tip: Duravana has a built-in pad underneath, which saved us a whole step. All we added was a plastic vapor barrier over the concrete.

Laying a plastic vapor barrier sheet over concrete subfloor

How to Raise Low Spots and Match Hardwood Subfloor Height

We had a weird situation where the old kitchen had a different floor height. So we cut ¾” particle board to bring it level with our hardwood and screwed it down tight. Once it was all evened out, we had a continuous surface to float the planks over.

Why You Should Remove Baseboards Before Installing Plank Flooring

We took off all the baseboards—partly because they needed an upgrade anyway, but also because it’s usually best to install baseboards after flooring. That way, they neatly cover any small gaps between the planks and the wall. If removing your baseboards isn’t in the cards, no worries—you can always add ½-inch quarter-round molding at the base to get a clean, finished look.

How to Lay Flooring in a Straight Line

Our house isn’t exactly square, and the walls are… let’s say “creative.” To avoid a wavy layout, Grandpa installed a perfectly straight guide board to keep our first rows aligned. Once the flooring got going, everything clicked into place from there (literally).

Grandpa screwing down a temporary guide board to help lay the first rows of Duravana plank flooring straight.

We plan to add bullnose stair treads later (also from the Duravana line at Lumber Liquidators), but since those get glued down, we weren’t ready just yet. To keep things straight, Grandpa—my husband’s dad, who everyone just calls Grandpa—screwed down a temporary board as a guide. He started with one long row of Duravana plank flooring and used that straight edge to lay the next few rows perfectly in line.

Man in red shirt installing floating plank flooring over old hardwood near a stone fireplace
Top-down view of wood plank flooring being installed at the edge of a staircase with guide board in place

Which Direction Should You Lay Plank Flooring?

This comes up a lot—should you lay flooring with the length of the room? Across it? Diagonal? We flipped a coin. With our layout, it was going to meet other floors either way, so we just picked what looked best with the natural light and ran with it.

How to Stagger the Plank Seams in Floating Wood Flooring

This part is crucial. You don’t want seams that line up across rows—it looks odd and weakens the structure. We staggered the seams in thirds to create a random, natural look. It’s an easy rhythm once you start: full plank, two-thirds, one-third, repeat.

New plank flooring halfway installed in a living room next to original hardwood floors

When we’d get to the end of the row, we’d cut off the excess and save it for when we needed one that size. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Duravana Hybrid Resilient Flooring

This is the part where you really see it come to life. Here’s how we did it:

  1. Click and lock the long side of the plank.
  2. Use a mallet and tapping block to snug it in place.
  3. Lock the short end using a pull bar and a little tap tap tap.
Woman installing Duravana plank flooring with hands pressing plank into place on top of old hardwood

The grooves on Duravana planks are super intuitive, and everything felt solid once locked in.

Close-up of flooring pull bar tool used to tap Duravana plank flooring into place during installation

You’ll know if you did a good enough job locking the plank flooring into place by checking your seams. Here is Grandpa’s seam before and after. He’s pretty good at this.

How to Cut Plank Flooring Around Vents and Walls

Most cuts were straight across, and I used a miter saw for speed. Or buy a floor cutter. if you’re looking for something quieter and less intimidating.

At the end of each row, we measured, cut, and reused any scraps on future rows. When trimming for vents or narrow rows along walls, my table saw and jigsaw made quick work of it.

Carpenter square and pencil marking the end cut of a plank before installing against a wall

How to Cut the Last Plank in a Row (No Expansion Gap Needed)

When it came time to cut the end piece of each row, we didn’t have to stress about leaving an expansion gap—Duravana plank flooring doesn’t swell or shrink thanks to its waterproof core. Huge win! To measure our final cut, we placed the tapping block up against the wall. That left just enough room to hook the floor puller underneath and tap the last piece into place without a hitch.

Man in red shirt installing final plank near wall, demonstrating tight seam and no expansion gap

Final Thoughts on Installing Duravana Plank Flooring

Even before we installed new baseboards, these floors were gorgeous. The Bay Bridge Oak color instantly brightened our home and gave it a high-end wood look—without the upkeep.

Between the waterproof surface, the durability, and the way it hides dirt (seriously, so good), Duravana plank flooring was the perfect choice for our busy family.

Beautiful new flooring
View of a bright kitchen featuring white cabinets, black island drawers, brass hardware, a farmhouse sink, and Duravana plank flooring with a vintage-style runner rug.

If you have plans to do an affordable kitchen remodel, click here to read how I installed shaker doors and painted my kitchen cabinets.

Is Duravana plank flooring waterproof?

Yes! Duravana plank flooring is 100% waterproof, making it a smart choice for kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, and anywhere spills happen. It’s designed with a waterproof core and tight-sealing joints, so you don’t have to stress about moisture damage.

How does Duravana compare to traditional vinyl or laminate flooring?

Duravana combines the best of both worlds. It has the waterproof qualities of vinyl, the scratch resistance of laminate, and the look of real wood. It’s thicker and more durable than most budget-friendly options and designed to last in high-traffic homes with kids and pets.

Can you install Duravana plank flooring over concrete?

Yes! You can install Duravana directly over a concrete subfloor—just make sure to use a vapor barrier underneath. We used one before floating the planks, and it made the install smoother and added moisture protection.

Do I need to remove baseboards before installing floating floors?

Removing baseboards is highly recommended for a cleaner, more professional look. It allows the planks to float freely and gives your room a seamless finish once the baseboards are reinstalled. If you’d rather not remove them, you can add quarter-round trim to cover the expansion gap.

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  1. This post made the process of laying new plank flooring feel so accessible! I appreciate the step-by-step guidance and tips. I’m excited to try this in my own home—thanks for sharing!

  2. Basant Club says:

    Great post! I found the step-by-step instructions on laying new plank flooring incredibly helpful. The tips on measuring and cutting were particularly useful. Can’t wait to try this out in my own home!

  3. This is such a helpful guide! I love how you broke down the process step-by-step. I can’t wait to try laying plank flooring in my living room. Thanks for the tips!

  4. Great tips! I love how you broke down the process step by step. I’m excited to try laying plank flooring in my living room now. Thanks for the clear instructions!

  5. Sam says:

    I’ve recently completed a DIY installation of Duravana plank flooring in my living room, and I can’t recommend it enough! The process was surprisingly straightforward, especially with the step-by-step instructions I found on sites like https://www.reluctantrenovator.com/. I was a bit apprehensive about the locking mechanism, but it snapped together effortlessly, and I loved how the planks seemed to float over the existing flooring.

    What impressed me the most was how well they hold up against scratches and water—an essential feature with kids and pets around. If anyone is considering Duravana, I’d say go for it! Just make sure to acclimate the planks in your home for a few days before installation to avoid any warping. If anyone has questions about the process or tips for maintenance, feel free to ask! ID-m380gs

  6. Jordan says:

    I recently installed Duravana plank flooring in my living room, and I have to say, it was a game changer! The click-lock system made the process straightforward, and I appreciated how durable the planks feel—especially with two kids and a dog running around! One tip I’d share is to acclimate the planks in the room for a day or two before installation to avoid any expansion issues.

    Also, I found some great resources and inspiration at a site like https://www.reluctantrenovator.com/ that really helped me along the way. If you’re contemplating this flooring, go for it! Just remember to measure carefully and take your time during the installation for the best results. Happy renovating! ID-gylan0

  7. Jeff says:

    What saw blade did you use for your miter saw and table saw? We want to make sure we don’t chip the flooring when cutting. Also, did you have the flooring side facing up when performing your cuts?

    • Crystel Montenegro Home says:

      I used a fine tooth blade. Maybe 80 tooth? And the flooring side was facing up. Have you ever used the painters tape trick? Put tape where your cut line is and it’ll help prevent shredding,

  8. Mp3 Juice says:

    Loved the step-by-step guide! It was so helpful to have the measurements and diagrams included. I was able to install my Duravana plank flooring with minimal assistance. The planks look amazing and it was a huge cost savings compared to hiring a professional.

  9. Just finished installing my Duravana plank flooring using your instructions and it looks amazing! The details about the underlayment and subfloor prep really made a big difference. Thanks for sharing your experience and expertise

  10. Tyler Grenier says:

    What is the longest run without a transition bar with this type of flooring do you have in your home? I’m wanting to try and run my entire living area( roughly 1000 Sq ft or so) with no transition pieces

    • Crystel Montenegro Home says:

      Hi – You can install 1000 sqft without a transition piece, so I’m not quite sure what you’re asking. Could you clarify?

  11. Richard Wildman says:

    Curious if you’ve had to repair or replace any boards I just installed and received over 1/3 of the flooring damaged in the boxes and just received a call back due to the edges chipping off.

    • Crystel Montenegro Home says:

      None of my boards were damaged when I received them. LL Flooring is a great company so I’m sure they’ll help get them replaced.

  12. JulieR says:

    I’m thinking about putting these exact floors in my house. How are they holding up? Any tips looking back now?

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