Vinyl Tile

Vinyl tile is a simple, inexpensive way to cover a floor. Many tiles have a self-adhesive that only requires peeling off the backing and sticking them down.

Tiles without the backing require spreading an adhesive over the floor with a notched trowel, then setting the tiles.

Vinyl tiles do have a few drawbacks. They have more edges and don't have a felt backing that sets in glue, so they may come loose easier than sheet vinyl.

Frequent moppings (like in the kitchen) also tend to soak more water into tiles and the tiny cracks between tiles gather dust and debris that's hard to clean out.

CAUTION: Many adhesives are flammable, cause skin irritation, and can produce harmful vapors. Follow manufacturer's recommendations and provide adequate ventilation.

For definitions of terms used throughout this project see Flooring Glossary.

How Many Tiles?

For 12" tiles, it's a simple calculation. Just multiply the length by the width of your room (area) -- that's the number of tiles needed. Add 5% extra for cutting and waste.

Nine inch tiles require dividing the room's length (in inches) by 9, then dividing the room's width (in inches) by 9. Take those two numbers and multiply them together to get the number of tiles needed. Again, add 5% extra.

All the major obstructions on the floor -- like cabinets and appliances -- should be measured separately and subtracted from the total.

Prepping Underlayment

To achieve lasting results, be sure the subfloor and any underlayment layers are structurally sound. Tiles are often put directly on top of old linoleum so make sure the surface is clean, smooth and free of grease and wax.

WARNING: Do not sand old floor tiles or other resilient flooring, backing or lining felt. They may contain asbestos and cause serious injury.

Vinyl mirrors any irregularities in the floor that it covers. All joints and holes in the underlayment should be filled with floor patching compound and sanded to make a smooth surface.

Check that there is adequate clearance at the bottom of doors to allow for the new floor. Remove baseboard and base shoe before installing the floor. Finally, read over and follow the adhesive directions to ensure a proper bond.

Establishing a Square Grid Pattern

We'll describe how to lay tile in a square grid pattern by dividing a floor of a basic 4-wall room into four quadrants.

First, snap chalklines between center points of opposite walls. Check the intersection with a framing square to make sure the lines cross to form 90° angles.

Lay tiles along the first quadrant guidelines all the way to the wall (alternating colors). If including a border, determine its width and snap a guideline around the floor's perimeter so the border tiles will look uniform.

Lay tiles square with the lines, working diagonally across each quadrant. Starting from the center point and working back toward the walls, laying the tiles in horizontal rows (1 green, then 2 red, then 3 green, etc.).

Check that the tiles lay out correctly then gather them up. Peel the backing off and press tiles into position, checking that they're square with the guidelines and/or their neighbors.

Or, spread glue over a manageable area and lay each tile into position. Keep a couple clean rags on hand and wipe up any excess glue. Repeat the process for the other three quadrants.

Once all the tiles are laid, roll out any air bubbles or extra glue. For large rooms, a 100 lb. roller (rental item) will save a great deal of time over hand rolling. But a rolling pin works fine for small areas.

Fitting Last Row Tiles

Tiles rarely fit exactly the length or width of a room. Tiles in the last row usually need to be trimmed to fit. Thankfully, there's a simple method for cutting tiles to fit perfectly.

Lay a loose full tile (this is the tile we'll cut) directly on top of the last installed full tile in the row. Line up the edges and pattern lines.

Set another loose full tile (this tile acts as a template) on top of the first loose tile and slide it tight against the wall over the space that needs to be filled in. Make sure it lines up straight with the row.

A portion of the bottom tile will be exposed past the template's edge -- that's the piece we need. Use the edge as a guide and mark a pencil line on the first tile.

Remove the template tile and cut the marked portion off the full tile. Test-fit the piece to make sure it fits well then press/glue it in place.