Putting down vinyl tile flooring is a project that can be done in a weekend to replace the entire floor, or in an afternoon if you tile over it.
We think that removing the old floor first is the better way:
First, the old flooring may telescope through to the surface of the newly laid flooring.
Second, adding a thin smoothing layer of 3/8-inch underlayment over the old floor may make it difficult to remove built-in appliances and might keep doors from swinging freely.
And third, it’s the best time to check subflooring for wood rot and other fungus damage.
Now decide between self-sticking tiles or the type used with adhesive. Adhesive tile sticks better and lasts longer.
The process is the same with both types. In either case the substrate that will receive the tile must be free of debris, grease, oil or wax.
Apply adhesive sparingly with a grooved trowel. It should be allowed to get tacky before tile is applied (20 to 30 minutes in most cases).
In our example we will use a square room, but the same procedure applies to all shapes. This procedure is the same whether you are covering over new underlayment or the old floor covering.
First, make a mark on the floor at the center of each of the four perimeter walls. String a chalk line from each opposing wall to the other and snap a heavy bright line. The point where the chalk lines cross is the center of the room and the place where you will begin laying tiles.
It is important that the edges of the floor end up being balanced and symmetrical. To ensure this result, lay one course of loose tiles along each of the two reference lines you snapped onto the floor. Center each course of loose tiles so that they end up an equal distance from opposing walls. Another line might have to be snapped parallel to one of the two existing lines.
Next, start installing the tiles from either of the two reference lines, working from the center out. If adhesive is being used, don’t apply more than you can cover in about 20 minutes.
The last part of the job is cutting in the edges. We have a trick we think you’ll like. You should lay the tile you want to cut flush with the wall-side edge of the installed tile nearest the wall. Next, lay a full tile over the one to be marked, and against the wall. Use the top tile that is against the wall to pencil mark the tile below for cutting. Then, cut with a razor knife and place it.
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