How to Install Vinyl Tile Over a Concrete Floor

Vinyl tile flooring looks similar to stone tile and is easier to install.

Vinyl floor tiles offer the realistic look of stone tile without the complicated installation. In fact, the most popular method for installing vinyl tile is to simply peel and stick. Best of all, this vinyl flooring can be placed on a subfloor pad to ensure softer walking.

Things You'll Need

• Push broom
• Concrete patch
• Underlayment
• Underlayment adhesive
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Chalk line
• Rolling pin
• Utility knife
• Sliding disks

Instructions

Subfloor Preparation

1. Remove all baseboards, furniture and appliances and undercut the door-frames.

2. Clean the entire subfloor with a push broom to remove any dirt.

3. Set the thermostat so that the room's temperature is between 65 and 85 degrees during installation.

4. Walk the room and inspect for cracks. Fill all cracks with a patching material such as Armstrong S-184 Fast-Setting Patch by injecting it directly into the cracks and allowing it to dry. Avoid overfilling the cracks--the surface must be level.

5. Dry-lay the underlayment, bringing it 2 inches up the walls. Cut it to size and roll it back to the starting point.

6. Apply the underlayment glue and glue the underlayment in place.

Prepping the Work Area

1. Measure to find the center points of each of the two sets of walls in the room, or of the two longest sets of walls. Mark those points, and snap a chalk line between the sets of marks on opposite walls, so that the room has two chalk lines that intersect in the middle.

2. Place the first tile so that one corner rests exactly on the intersection point of the two lines and the sides are along the lines. Peel the back off and place the tile into position.

3. Use the rolling pin to roll over the tile. This will remove any air bubbles and help the tile bond even better with the underlayment.

4. Lay the second tile next to the previous one against the bottom line and go over it with the rolling pin.

5. Lay the next tile above the first tile to form a step, and roll it.

6. Continue laying tiles in a step pattern until you reach one of the walls.

7. Repeat the process with each quarter of the room, always starting at the center point and working toward the walls.

Laying the Ends

1. Lay a fresh tile squarely on top of the previously laid tile. Place another full tile against the wall and mark the difference on the tile below it with a pencil.

2. Cut the tile with a utility knife at the marked line and dry-fit it into place. If it does not fit, re-do the cutting with a fresh tile.

3. Once it fits, peel off the back and press the cut tile into place.

4. Go around the room with the utility knife and cut away the underlayment so that it is flush with the top of the tile.

Cleanup

1. Re-install the baseboards.

2. Bring all furniture and appliances back into the room, making sure to use sliding disks for appliances.

3. Inspect the floor for any bumps or loose tile. If you notice any, use the rolling pin to roll them back into place.

References

• Armstrong: Do-It-Yourself Tile Installation System
• Armstrong: DIY Center