In the previous blog, we had discussed about Vinyl Composition Tiles (VCT), and the preliminary steps performed before installation. In this post, we will be focusing on the installation process.
Installing VCT Tiles
The following points provide a detailed step-by step process to installing vinyl tiles.
When Using Self-Adhesive Tiles
- Start laying the tiles on the floor using the center as your starting point. Lay the tiles at the intersection of the lines you had previously drawn. Use the lines as a guide as you work your way towards each wall in the room.
- Once you have laid out all the full tiles, then get to work on the half or smaller sizes tiles. Cut the tiles to fill in the leftover space around the walls of the room. Ensure laying the half tiles out, and making sure that they fit perfectly against the wall.
- There may be times where a tile will need to be cut to length. To complete this, start by placing a full against the wall as a guide. Then take another tile and place on top of a laid tile closest to the wall. Mark the tile and cut with the wall tile as the guide.
- If you have irregular shaped spaces, you can first create cardboard templates before installing the tiles. This will ensure that you do not create unnecessary waste.
- After you have installed several rows, apply pressure on them so that the tiles bond firmly to the floor. You can also use a rolling pin or a floor roller to complete this step.
- Once the tile installation process has been completed, leave it undisturbed for the period recommended by the manufacturer. Use the floor only when the designated time has been completed.
For Non-Adhesive Tiles
- Take vinyl flooring adhesive with a trowel and spread it out in ridges. Ensures that there are bare spaces between each ridge.
- If adhesive oozes up between the tiles, wipe it off immediately with a solvent-soaked sponge or rag. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions to determine the appropriate solvent.
The above steps show that installing vinyl tiles may be time consuming, but it is an interesting, and relatively easy task. Always speak to the tile manufacturer if you have any queries regarding the tile installation process.