Laying self-adhesive vinyl tiles is easy and anyone can do it. Making sure the end result looks professional and smooth, and that the tiles don’t start to peel away from the subfloor after a few weeks of use, takes a bit more effort. Learning to lay self-adhesive vinyl tile requires patience and attention to detail. No specialized tools required!
First of all, you will need to make sure that the subfloor where the tiles will be installed is clean and absolutely level. Any small bumps or shallow holes will transfer to the vinyl, and after a few days, your new vinyl flooring will look just as old as the one it was replacing. Use self-leveling compounds to ensure an even surface, and if you’re putting self-adhesive vinyl over old vinyl or wood, make sure they’re in pristine condition. Sometimes it’s easier to remove old vinyl flooring and install it over the subfloor, especially if it’s badly damaged.
Vacuum and mop the room, making sure to wash away any adhesive, dirt, or grease that might interfere with the glue on the back of the self-adhesive vinyl tiles sticking to the floor. Allow the subfloor to dry, as vinyl tile installation requires a perfectly dry surface for the adhesive to work.
To decide where you should start laying your self-adhesive tiles, you will first need to find the center of the room. Using chalk, draw a guide line between each pair of two opposite walls, or between the corners of the room if you’re installing vinyl tile in a diagonal pattern. You can use those chalk lines to guide you in laying the first row of self-adhesive vinyl tiles so that they are straight with no jagged edges. You may want to tile without peeling off the backing paper at this point, just to get an idea of the final effect.
To lay self-adhesive vinyl tile, you will need to start at the center point, peel back the backing paper, and press the tile firmly to the floor. Use a roller to ensure there are no air bubbles, applying even pressure over the entire tile, especially at the edges. Line up each new tile with the previously installed one, making sure the edges are as close to each other as possible. If you need to cut a tile to fit the gap next to the wall, you can use a utility knife to do so, but be sure not to cut it on top of already installed tiles, or you may accidentally damage them.