Resilient floor coverings include all the products that have the characteristic of resilience, or 'bounce back', such as vinyl, rubber and linoleum.

They are supplied either as sheet products, tiles or planks.

Depending on the end use of the floor, resilient coverings can be loose laid or stuck down with an adhesive.

Set out below are the main tools used to install resilient floor coverings.

Techniques for using these tools, as well as instructions on how to install the different resilient products, are described in the specialist installation units on this website.

Marking

Recess scriber                                                                                                               
For scribing the line of a seam to make sure the two edges match exactly.

Scribing bar                                                                                                               
For scribing the cut edges of a sheet or tile where it fits against a wall or around an object.

Dividers                                                                                                               
An alternative to using a scribing bar when the gap is very small.

Cutting

Edge trimmer                                                                                                               
For trimming a straight edge along a sheet.

Spatula knife                                                                                                               
For cutting and trimming the welding rod in a seam.

Wall trimmer                                                                                                               
For trimming off excess material against the wall.

Utility knife                                                                                                               
For cutting and shaping floor coverings, rubber mouldings and other materials.

Lino knife                                                                                                               
For cutting linoleum and other heavy resilient coverings.

Seaming

Hand grooving tool                                                                                                               
For cutting a groove along the seam, prior to welding the seam.

Power groover                                                                                                               
A more powerful version of the hand groover.

Heat welding gun                                                                                                               
Used to weld seams by melting a welding rod in the groove.

Fitting, sticking down and rolling

Hot air gun                                                                                                               
For heating and softening vinyl to make it more flexible when fitting it.

Gas bottle and gun                                                                                                               
A more powerful alternative to using a hot air gun.

Roller                                                                                                                   
For rolling out the floor covering after laying it in position.

Rubber mallet                                                                                                               
For fitting floor coverings in hard-to-reach areas when a roller is too awkward.

Serrated trowel                                                                                                               
For spreading adhesive on the subfloor prior to laying the floor covering.

Paint brush and bucket                                                                                                               
For applying contact adhesive to skirtings and coved materials.