How to Buy Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT tile)

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By writedesign
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Vinyl Composition Tile can usually be found at local flooring stores.

Vinyl composition tile – also known as VCT, vinyl composite tile, resilient tile and commercial grade vinyl tile – comes in 12 inch squares that are installed with vinyl tile adhesive. VCT tile is used for various commercial applications like offices, grocery stores, hair salons and playrooms because of its durability. VCT tile differs from consumer grade vinyl flooring – it’s much thicker (about an inch thick) and made of more durable materials. Consumers can usually find VCT tile at local flooring stores or home improvement stores. If not, vinyl tiles can be ordered direct from a vinyl tile supplier. Here’s how to buy vinyl composition tile:

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Measure the room.

Measure the room you want to lay vinyl tile in. Multiply the length and width together to get the square footage of the room.
Step 2

Sketch an idea of what you want.

Sketch an idea of the tile designs you’re looking for. You’ll probably have many vinyl tiles to choose from at the store, so be sure to have an idea of what you want before you go.
Step 3

Make a scale drawing of the tiling floor plan, especially if you plan to use different floor tile designs or colors in the room.
Step 4

Purchase VCT tile from a local store.

Purchase vinyl floor supplies from a local home improvement store or flooring store. Be sure to purchase 15% more vinyl tile flooring than you need just in case you need to repair or replace vinyl tiles later.
Step 5

Custom order vinyl tiles as needed.

Don’t settle for the vinyl tile flooring found in stock at the store – custom order vinyl floor tiles in the colors you want if needed.
Step 6

Contact other suppliers if needed.

If your local home improvement store or flooring store does not have the vinyl flooring tiles you’re looking for, contact the following suppliers (their websites are located in the resources below for your convenience): Amitco, Armstrong, Congoleum, Forbo, and Tarkett.

Tips & Warnings

If you plan to install the tile yourself, don’t forget to purchase tiling supplies like tile adhesive, a notched trowel, a utility knife and blades, VCT cutter, 100 pound floor roller, general purpose joint compound, high quality acrylic floor sealer or polish, plywood, transition strips and shoe molding. For information on how to install VCT tile, see the resource links below.
You get what you pay for, so if you want the vinyl tile to last a long time, purchase a higher grade vinyl tile.

Resources