Time for new floor covering? Don’t like the prices of carpet and linoleum? Press-on vinyl floor tiles can be a little less expensive than floor covering sold on a roll but many people forego the tiles since they can give the installer a little trouble. If you follow a few basic tips, though, your vinyl floor tile job can look just like a professional’s!
Vinyl floor tiles are sold in boxes of 12 tiles which are each 12″ x 12. They have an adhesive backing which is peeled away before positioning the tiles on the floor. It’s pretty simple to peel and stick the tiles, but if you want the finished floor to look perfect you’ll take a few particular steps to that end.
Some people just peel and press the tiles in place. That works for the time being, but if not properly installed, the tiles can have lumps under them or even peel up in the near future. If not perfectly aligned one can stand back and see each individual square in the room. The goal is to butt them so closely together that you’re hard-pressed to see the perimeters of each tile.
If you’ve had to replace the floor, and now you’re laying the vinyl floor tiles, you need to know that sawdust is everywhere! Even if you think you’ve swept well you could still have trouble getting the tiles to stick. Clean floor as well as possible then follow steps below to ensure there is no more dust on the floor.
Many people start by placing the first tile in a corner of the room. That’s the wrong thing to do. Find the center of the room by first measuring the width, then the length, and placing a mark where they cross in the middle. Start the first tile, at the cross, aligning one corner of the tile with one corner of the cross.
After you’ve positioned the first tile it’s up to you in which direction you go. Place the second tile above, to the side or below the first one. Make sure the floor is perfectly clean and dust-free. Using a blow dryer or heat gun will help you tremendously. Not only can you blow dust from the area before laying each tile, to ensure the tile will stick, but warm tiles stick much better than cold ones.
Working in a cold room means the floor is cold. You’ll have little luck sticking cold tiles to a cold floor. When possible make sure the room itself is nice and warm. There’s no need to turn the heat up but having the room at about 70 degrees will be helpful. Even still use the blow dryer or heat gun to warm up the area before placing each tile.
After placing each tile use the blow dryer to warm up the tile itself. Don’t hold heat guns too close or you could damage the tiles. Go around the perimeter of each tile, with the blow dryer, smoothing the edges down. Don’t hold your hand directly under a heat gun and be sure to wear gloves while smoothing down the tiles. Tiles can be hot after a blow dryer has been used on them and gloves will protect your hands from hot tiles.
Some manufacturers of vinyl floor tiles recommend using a rolling pin to smooth the tiles. The rolling pin will help you put pressure on each tile to secure it. Using heat along with the rolling pin will give you excellent results.
If possible, avoid cheap tiles sold in discount stores. Often, these tiles have deficiencies like weak adhesive or faded patterns. If the cheaper tiles are all you can afford, but the adhesive is not all it should be, use spray-on adhesive on each tile before placement. Turn the tile upside down, place it on plastic, and spray. Do not get the adhesive on the patterned side of the tile. If you do try using rubbing alcohol to remove the gummy residue from the adhesive.
You don’t have to be expert at remodeling to lay your own vinyl floor tiles. Anyone can do it themselves if they follow the above tips and suggestions. Hint: place knees on a pillow or piece of foam to protect them. Laying vinyl floor tiles can take some time and you will be surprised at how hard it is on the knees!
Reference:
- Purchase vinyl floor tiles here: www.lowes.com
