DIY Home Improvement: How to Install Vinyl Floor Tiles the Easy Way

Installing a new vinyl floor in your kitchen, bathroom, foyer, etc. can be as easy as 1, 2, 3. I installed a new vinyl floor in the kitchen and dining area of an apartment I lived in when I was only 19 years old. The landlord did not care to rip up the old floor, so he bought a few packs of vinyl floor square with the sticky backs. He left the installation up to me, and gave me a break on my rent for the month. If a 19 year old girl that had never done anything like that can install vinyl tiling, then anyone can.

So here's what you need to have on hand: A tape measure, an Exacto knife, and a grease pencil that cleans off of surfaces easily, along with the appropriate amount of tile for the floor. Normally before purchasing the tile, you can measure your footage in the area and the people at the home improvement stores can help you with the rest. Make sure you take into consideration the area under the appliances, if you are planning on tiling under them. Once you have everything you need you can begin.

First, make sure the entire floor is clean and dry. If you are installing tile in the kitchen, make sure you have thought about whether you want to move the appliances or not. Some people take the easy way out and tile around the appliances, such as the refrigerator and the stove. I think that if it's your home and you have any thoughts of selling the house later or getting different appliances, then you should move the current ones and tile under them. This of course should be done before you clean the floor. Then you will want to lay out the tile in the way you will want it to be once it is adhered to the floor. Next, begin in a corner that you know will not need to be cut to size quite as much as the other areas. I like to leave the hardest part until the end, plus if you make a mistake it's easier to remove an uncut piece and replace it with a new uncut tile. Remove one backing at a time and place each tile individually, pressing them firmly into place. You can either move horizontally or diagonally, this is up to you.

If you have decided to tile under the appliances, continuing to lay the tile could be easier for you than if you had kept them in place. There could be less cutting involved with this decision and so it will save you time on the complete installation. So once you have the easy areas taken care of, you will eventually run into a section that will need cut to size because of a corner or just the general size of the floor all together. So what do you do? Grab your measuring tape, grease pencil, and Exacto knife. Measure the are from the last tile you placed to the corner that needs cut, then place the measurements on the piece of tile by using the pencil and begin cutting. WARNING: Do Not cut the tile on the floor or tile you have already placed. Make sure you have a secure cutting area such as a wooden cutting board. Once cut to size place the tile in the area to make sure it was cut correctly. This way you can make adjustments before you expose the adhesive. Once you have the tile cut correctly and have checked the cutting, peel off the back and install the tile.

Don't worry if you mess up on any of the cutting of the tile. This is why you should have a few extra on hand, just for mistakes that probably will be made or areas you forgot about having to tile. Continue to tile the rest of the floor. Once you have laid all of the tile, I like to go back and make sure they are all "stuck" to the floor as they should be. Want a quick and easy way to make sure the tile is "stuck" in place? Grab a rolling pin, get on your hands and knees, and roll the tile like you would roll out dough. There will be some areas you can't fit the rolling pin, so just do it by hand, but for the majority of the area you should be able to use the rolling pin.

What's the final step? I would walk around the floor boards and make sure you installed the tiles to your liking. Also make sure there aren't any gaps in the tiles on the floor or around the floor boards. Finally, take a step back and marvel in the completion of your new floor and how easy and quick it was to complete. Remember, when re-placing your appliances to be very careful not to rip or damage the tiles you just installed. Try using felt padding under the "legs" to prevent scratching. Now you have a new floor to enjoy and have also added value to your home as well. And it didn't even take a rocket scientist to figure it out, just a 19 year old girl.