How to Lay Vinyl Tiles

If you are considering replacing flooring in a room of your home with vinyl tiles, consider doing this project yourself as it is very easy to do and will save you a lot of money in installation fees, as long as your sub-flooring does not need to be replaced. If it does, make sure you consult with a flooring specialist on things you can do.

Things You'll Need

• Straight line string Vinyl tiles Exacto knife Measuring tape Soft cloth 1/4 round molding Saw Painter's tape small finishing nails Hammer Paint

Instructions

Directions

1. Remove your old flooring. If it has been glued to the floor, remove as much of the old glue as possible. You will want a clean, smooth base for your new vinyl tiles to be laid down on. Clean the floor of all debris and make sure it is absolutely clean.
   Since vinyl floor tiles are very soft and pliable, this is an important step because if you leave any rough spots or specks of debris, they will show through the vinyl and will eventually cause a needless worn spot.

2. With the chalk string line, pop the string against the floor from one wall, straight across to the opposite wall, at its longest point.
   Do this again with the remaining two walls. You will now have a cross section on the floor. This will give you the exact middle of the room. The point where the two lines cross is your starting point.

3. Remove the backing on one vinyl floor tile and carefully place it exactly on the cross section of the string lines. Continue in this manner in one row all the way to the wall, making sure each tile is perfectly situated against the one before it. When you can't lay a full tile again, stop and go back in the other direction.

4. Continue step 3 until you have completed the middle of the room with open areas around the perimeter of the room and around cabinets. Make sure all these tiles are firmly secured to the floor.

5. This step will be a little harder as you will now need to start measuring and trimming the tiles to placed around the room. Measure the distance from the edge of a newly laid tile to the wall. Mark a new vinyl tile with the same measurements, cut it to size, remove backing and put it in the place you just measured. Continue this all the way around the room, completing the room. Make sure you clean all debris and dirt before going to next step.

6. In this last step, you will measure and cut the molding to fit all wall edgings, completing the look of the room. Use small finishing nails to put in place. Seal around bathtubs, sinks, cabinets and toilets with silicone caulk. Now use painters tape to protect your new flooring and paint the molding.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint your walls in a corresponding color to enhance your floor.

• Use knee pads and gloves. Wear a back brace. Wear protective eye wear while using saws.