How to Lay Self Adhesive Floor Tile

The Beginning of a New Floor

Self-adhesive floor tile is attractive to the do-it-yourself homeowner as an easy way to install a new floor covering in a room or entire home. While they are easier to install than carpet or vinyl sheet goods, some important steps to take in preparation of laying self-adhesive floor tile are crucial to its durability and longevity.

Things You'll Need

• Chalk box
• Rubber mallet
• Tri-square
• Utility knife
• Floor adhesive (optional)

Instructions

1. Mark the center of the room by finding the center of two opposite walls. Stretch a chalk line from these two points and pop a line on the floor. Repeat this with the two remaining walls.

2. Peel the paper covering away from the back of the self-adhesive tile and place it in one of the corners formed where the chalk lines intersect. Tap it with the rubber mallet to help bond the adhesive to the floor.

3. Peel and stick the next tiles along the chalk lines on the floor. Continue laying the self-adhesive floor tile until all the full size pieces are laid. Be certain to tap them with the rubber mallet for better adhesion to the existing floor.

4. Place the last row of tiles against the wall, allowing the excess to stick over the freshly laid floor tile. Mark the overlapping piece using the edge of the last full tile row as a guide.

5. Place the tile on a solid surface. Lay tri-square on the line and cut the tile with the utility knife, peel the paper covering from the back and lay the tile with the cut edge against the wall. Repeat this until the entire floor is covered.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean the floor as you lay the tile to keep dust to a minimum. Use floor adhesive in conjunction with the self-adhesive tile if the tile won't adhere to the floor.

• Do not allow floor adhesive to dry before setting the tile. Do not lay self-adhesive tile on a semi-gloss or hi-gloss floor because doing so can compromise the strength of the bond. Do not use floor adhesive without proper ventilation.

References

• Self-adhesive Vinyl Tiles 1: Introduction

Resources

• Vinyl Tile