How to Install a Vinyl Tile Floor with Grout

Vinyl tile floor is a very durable flooring option that looks much like a real porcelain or ceramic tile. Manufacturers even make vinyl tile flooring that can be grouted to provide an even more realistic look. Follow the simple steps below to effectively install a vinyl floor with grout between the tiles.

Step 1 - Determine Appropriate Size

To begin, estimate how many square feet of material you will need. To do this, use a tape measure to determine the length and the width of the room, and then multiply those 2 dimensions together to get the square footage of the room. Once you have the square footage, you need to add approximately 10 percent to that number to allow yourself enough waste for the job.

Step 2 - Prepare the Room

Remove any furniture or personal items from the room in which you will be working. You also need to take up baseboards and any old flooring in the room. Then you need to make sure that the floor is completely level and it does not have any imperfections in it. If it does, you may need to apply self-leveling compound to the floor and allow it to dry.

Step 3 - Layout

Spend some time planning the layout of your tile. Start out by measuring the center point of each wall. Then snap a chalk line in both directions so that you can find the exact center of the room. Most of the time, you will want to start laying at a corner of this point.

Step 4 - Lay the Tile

Spread out some of the adhesive onto the floor. Depending on what type of adhesive you are using, you can apply it with a paint roller or a trowel. You will generally apply the pressure-sensitive adhesive with a paint roller and spread the the thicker adhesive with a trowel.

Next, carefully lay the tile down into the adhesive and press it firmly down towards the floor. Put 1/8-inch grout spacers around each corner of the tile that you lay. Then use these to guide your placement of the other tiles.

When you get to the side of the room, use a knife to cut the vinyl tile to fit. Leave a little bit of a gap between the tile and the wall for expansion.

Step 5 - Grouting

After you have allowed the tile adhesive to dry, you can start applying the grout. For this process, you will be using a special flexible grout. Use a grout float to apply the grout to the grout lines in between the tiles. Then let that grout dry overnight before walking on the floor.