How to Apply Vinyl Tile To Concrete

Tile floors.
  • 6-8 hours
  • Beginner
  • 500-1,200
What You'll Need
Vinyl tiles
Adhesive
Trowel
Knife
Tape measure
Straight edge
Self-leveling compound
Chalk line
What You'll Need
Vinyl tiles
Adhesive
Trowel
Knife
Tape measure
Straight edge
Self-leveling compound
Chalk line

Installing vinyl tile can provide you with a durable and inexpensive floor that comes in a variety of different styles and colors. Vinyl tile can be placed directly on top of a concrete subfloor. Here are the basics of how to apply vinyl tiles on concrete.

Prepare the Room

The first thing that you will need to do is to prepare the room for installation. In order to do this, you should take up any existing flooring on top of the concrete. You should also remove the baseboards or quarter rounds from around the outside of the room. In order to install vinyl tile on concrete, you will need a completely level subfloor. If there are variations and bumps in the concrete, you may need to level it out before you can start installing. This can be done with a self-leveling compound. Apply the self-leveling compound to the floor per the manufacturer's instructions and allow it to dry before moving forward.

Plan the Layout

At this point, you need to plan the layout of the vinyl tiles. In most cases, you should center the tile in the room. In order to do this, you need to determine where the center of the room is. Take your tape measure and use it to determine the center point of each wall. Then you can snap a chalk line in both directions so that you can see where the center of the room is. By starting in the center you will be able to put partial pieces around the outside of the room and create a more professional look.

Begin Laying

You are now ready to begin installing the tile. To start out with, you need to apply some of the adhesives to the floor. Use a trowel and get some of the vinyl tile adhesives on it. Then use the trowel to spread the adhesive out onto the floor. Make sure that the adhesive is smooth and evenly distributed on the floor. Then you will need to take the first piece of tile and press it firmly down into the adhesive. Take the next tile and press it directly up against the one on the floor. Press it down into the adhesive as well. Continue spreading out adhesive and pressing tiles onto the floor.

Cut The Tiles

When you get to the edge of the room, you will need to cut the tile to fit. In order to do this, you need to use your tape measure to determine how big of a piece you will need. Then measure the appropriate distance on the back of one of the vinyl tiles. Using a straight edge and a knife, you should be able to cut the tile to fit. Take your time so that you can get a smooth, straight cut on the tile. Then take the cut piece and put it into place along the wall. Continue doing this until all of the tiles are laid.

Installing vinyl tiles is an easy job that gives you a very durable new floor.