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Vinyl is the ideal do-it-yourself material to use when it comes to rooms that will see a frequent use of moisture. These rooms, such as your laundry room and bathrooms, are not suitable for wood or laminate floors as the moisture may get trapped underneath and will cause your floor to warp. Vinyl is great because it is easy to install and is waterproof and easy to clean. Vinyl is available in both sheets and vinyl floor tiles, and it is the vinyl floor tiles that offer one of the easiest floor installations there is for the do-it-yourselfer.
Vinyl tile is laid out in exactly the same manner as sheet tile. These tiles can be purchased in either self-stick models or tiles that are set in adhesive which is applied to the floor. As you might guess, the self-stick models are the easiest to install, but the ones that require adhesive are still pretty simple, just a bit messier with a little bit more care needed. Additionally, adhesive style tiles are usually specialty items. With sheet vinyl, you have to make a template and will also most likely have to cut seams and match the pattern. Vinyl floor tiles allow you a lot more freedom. Obstacles can be built around as they come up, and you can lay out a pattern in any way that you choose. To begin the process of laying the tiles, you must first determine where the center of the room is. Laying out the tiles from the center of the room is crucial in establishing a symmetrical pattern. Measure along each wall and determine the halfway point, then snap a chalk line from each mark. The place where the lines intersect is the center of the room. Use the chalk lines to guide you as you begin laying the tiles. You will need to make sure the lines are square by using a triangle or other squaring tool. As you lay the tile, keep an eye to the wall. It is pretty likely that you will need to trim tiles in order to have them fit plumb with the wall, and you do not want your tiles to be trimmed too narrowly. Lay the tiles out first without adhesive in order to determine how they will fit in the room, especially along the walls. If the space between the final tile and the wall is less than one half of a tile width, readjust your lines accordingly, making sure that you check to make sure they are still square. Remember that vinyl tile must be laid over a subfloor that has no dents or flaws, as vinyl floor tiles, like sheet vinyl, will reflect any imperfections. Remember as well that vinyl floor tile that is kept in place by adhesive may begin to peel up at the corners over time as the adhesive is water soluble and mopping will cause it to lose cohesion. |
Installation and Care