Installing Vinyl Tile

The best way to change the appearance of the room is to introduce vinyl flooring tiles that are inexpensive and pretty easy to install. These tiles are most commonly used in the baths, laundry rooms, mudrooms and foyers. Vinyl tiles were used before resilient sheet flooring and plastic laminate flooring or planks came into the scene. Vinyl tiles were actually a replacement for linoleum. Installing vinyl tiles over linoleum has many reasons like their availability in different colors, ease in cleaning and their property of being unbreakable. Vinyl tiles have two variants - self adhesive and glue-down. Installing self adhesive vinyl tiles is much easier as it requires less effort because of its peel and stick property. This is best when you have shortage of time, less patience and want to do it yourself. For the glue-down vinyl tile installation, you require an adhesive. Different designs and checkerboard patterns can also be made from these tiles. You can even have a variety of tiles for bordering as well. Before you start collecting tools required, certain preparation for the floor is a must so that the installation is done properly.

Preparation

Installing the tiles can be done on any kind of surface other than carpet. The tiles can be installed properly if the floor surface to which the tiles have to be attached are smooth. Make sure that there are no holes, cracks, grits, bumps and depressions on the floor. If any, fill them before starting the installation process. If you are installing the tiles over concrete, repair the floor and make it even with the help of a self leveling compound. Make sure there are no imperfections on the surface. There is a very simple way of checking the surface, look at the floor in bulb's light at night. This will dive you a clear idea of the kind of floor surface you have. If you are thinking of placing the tiles on the stairs, cut it according to the length and width of each step. The best thing about vinyl tiles is that it can be installed even on a plywood surface or ceramic tile flooring. Thought it is a little tricky, it will be easy once you start with it. Now let us see the requirements for installing vinyl flooring and the basic steps for their installation.

Requirements

• Self-adhesive vinyl tiles
• Tile cutter
• Tile roller
• Chalk line
• Measuring tape

Steps to Follow

• For the vinyl floor tile installation find out the center point between the two opposite walls and divide the floor area into two by snapping a chalk line.
• Now start laying the tiles along each wall from the center without removing the sticker. Make sure that the tiles are straight and adjust them in a way that not more than a half tiles in a row meet the wall.
• Peel and stick the tiles at their position and press them tightly.
• Continue the process of laying tiles from the center to the walls and use a tile cutter to cut the tiles when required to adjust.
• Once you are done with sticking the tiles, use a tile roller to press the tiles firmly into their place.
• If you face problems while installing them at the corners or near the wall, measure the area and use cardboard to cut the tiles to the exact size.

Isn't it easy to learn how to install vinyl flooring? Vinyl tiles can be used even for bathroom flooring. The same process has to be followed when the tiles go in the bathroom. Just make sure that you remove the toilet and reposition it afterwards. Apply primer on the floor if the surface is of plywood or clean it properly during installing the tiles over linoleum. Installing is not the end, you have to take care of cleaning vinyl tile flooring as well. Any dirt or grit can damage the tiles, so clean or mop the surface regularly. Use recommended floor cleaning agents or polishing compounds to increase the life of the vinyl tiles. Knowing how to clean vinyl floors is important so as to prevent damage and keep the floor shining for years.