How To Lay Down Vinyl Floor Tiles

Need help installing your vinyl floor tiles? You have come to the right place! Here we will show you everthing that you need to install your tiles in any area like a professional. Before starting anything the first thing that you need to do is figure out how many boxes of tiles you will need. There is a very convenient chart below that will show you how many boxes of tiles you will need depending on the size of the area that you are trying to cover.



If you are needing more tiles than this to cover a larger area then there is an easy way to calculate that. First you would take the length and with of the room and multiply them together. The number that you get will be the number of tiles that you will need because each tile is exactly 1 foot by 1 foot. After you get that number you can divid by 20 since this is how many tiles come in a box. Take whatever number you get, round up to the nearest digit and that is the number of boxes you need.



1. SURFACE PREPARATION

The existing floor must be clean, smooth and level. The surface must be free of dirt, moisture, dust, grease and waxes. Fill all cracks and holes with a suitable latex crack filler. Please follow instructions below depending on the type of floor surface:

CEMENT: If the cement is painted make sure the paint is dry. Not to be used in untreated cement.
WOOD: All planks must be securely nailed to teh survace. Dountersink nail heads.
RESILIENT/VINYL: Do not install tiles over cushioned vinyl rubber flooring. This type of flooring must be removed or covered with plywood.

DO NOT INSTALL vinyl floor tile over any floor where the temperature is excessively hot (e.g. radiant heated floors) or cold, over particle board, where moisture may be a problem outdoors.

Before installing the vinyl floor tiles, store them at a room temperature for at least 24 hours.



2. WHERE TO START:

Find the center on the room by snapping a chalk line from the center points of opposite walls. The center of the room is where the chalk lines intersect. (see illustration below).





3. INSTALLING THE TILES:

Before installing inspect each tile for defects. Installing constitutes acceptance. Whenever tiles are marked with directional arrows on the back, install them so that all arrows point in the same direction. Starting at the center point install the tiles as shown (see illustration below).



Peel offe the protective paper and carefully set the tile into place and press down firmly (see steps 1 & 2 below).



If dry back, follow instructions on adhesive container carefully.
Do not slide the tiles once they are placed. It is very difficult to move them without damaging them.



4. CUTTING: (see steps 3 & 4)



The tiles may be cut with a utility knife. To fit a partial tile, lay the tile to be cut exactly over the last full tile, another full tile against the wall and mark the cutting line where the tiles overlap. DO NOT CUT ON THE FLOOR AS THE BLADE MAY CUT THROUGH AND DAMAGE THE NEW TILES. Before peeling the backing paper, check that cut tile fits correctly. THE TILE SHOULD NOT BE FORCED INTO PLACE.

Slide the tile under molding and trim whenever needed
CAUTION: the protective paper on the back of the self-stick tiles is very slipery. Dispose of it immediately after you peel it off.



5. MAINTENANCE: (see illustration below)



Vinyl floor tiles require minimum maintenance. Here are a few suggestions:
- remove dirt by sweeping, damp mopping or vacuuming regularly
- avoid heavy abrasive cleaning products
- use furniture leg protectors
- occasionally clean with an appropriate winyl tile cleaner