- Some peel and stick tiles are not recommended for certain floor areas, such as the bathroom or basement. This is because of the adhesive used on the backing and the moisture level in certain rooms. It is important to look for a product designed for the room you're going to floor, and choose a tile that is suitable.
- Look for the substrate that is recommended. Some peel and stick tiles can be placed over a cleaned existing sheet flooring such as vinyl. Other types and brands require a new sub floor be laid before installation. Most brands specify a type and thickness of sub floor, and some will require a conditioner be brushed on the sub floor before installation.
- Consider the manufacturer's warranty and the thickness of the tiles. Warranties can typically range from three years to 25 years, and are usually based on the thickness and material of the tile. If you hold a single tile between your hands and flex it, you can feel the difference in thickness between different tiles.
- Some peel and stick flooring has a distinctive pattern which must be matched correctly when laying the floor. This will cause more waste in cutting, and may also affect the overall look of the finished project. Consider whether the pattern will overwhelm a small room or be hard to match in a room with many corners.
- All peel and stick tile has a lot number stamped on the side of the box. Make sure you purchase enough square feet (plus 10 percent for waste) to finish your project. Different dye lots can have a slightly different color that you may not notice in the store but will be obvious after installation.
