Things You'll Need:
- Vinyl tile
- Leveling compound
- Trowel
- Grinder
- Broom
- Tape measure
- Chalk and string
- Vinyl tile adhesive
- Tile cutter or utility knife
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Step 1
Purchase your tile and place it into the room where it will be installed. Leave the tile in the room for 48 hours so that it can acclimate to the room's temperature and humidity levels.
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Step 2
Prepare the floor. Use a grinder to remove any raised spots in the concrete, such as bumps or ridges. Fill holes or low areas with a concrete leveling compound. Apply this compound using a trowel, making sure the patched area is smooth and level with the rest of the floor. Allow this material to dry for 4 to 6 hours before proceeding.
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Step 3
Sweep the floor to remove dust and debris. Any dirt left behind can interfere with the tile adhesive, so the floor should be as clean as possible before you begin installation.
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Step 4
Snap a chalkline from the midpoint of each wall to the opposite wall's midpoint. The point where these two lines intersect is the centerpoint of the room. By beginning your tile installation in the center of the room, you can help to mask the appearance of uneven or crooked walls.
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Step 5
Lay out your first few rows of tiles without using glue. This will allow you to choose a pattern without the difficulty of removing glued-down tiles. Experiment with different patterns until you find the right one for your room.
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Step 6
Spread tile adhesive across one half of the floor surface using a notched trowel. Use only adhesives that are recommended by the manufacturer of your vinyl tiles. Allow the glue to set for several minutes until it feels almost dry to the touch. If you touch the glue and some adhesive comes off on your hand, it is not ready for tile installation.
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Step 7
Press your tiles into the glue in the pattern you've chosen. Cut tiles as needed using a vinyl tile cutter or a utility knife. Once you've finished the first half of the room, repeat Steps 6 and 7 to cover the remaining floor area.
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Step 8
Roll the tiles with a hundred-pound floor roller, which can be rented from most home improvement stores. This helps to remove bubbles from under the tile, and also ensures they are firmly pressed to the floor. Add baseboards to cover any gaps between the vinyl and the walls as needed.
