Monday, May 5, 2014

Easily And Quickly Install A New Floor With Peel And Stick Vinyl Tiles

By Tracie Knight


To instantly make your home look beautiful, install a new floor. Whether you plan to sell your home, or just want it to look better for yourself, replacing an old, damaged floor is the quickest way to update. There is a huge selection of materials available on the market from which to select.

You no longer have to mess with smelly, difficult to manage mastic adhesive. Peel and stick vinyl tiles make the job an easy one, and will be quick to install. With the many different colors available, there is any number of designs that can be installed. Even an amateur installer can do a great job.

This new material makes installation easy and long-lasting. It is durable and flexible. The colors are beautiful, with almost any color being available. In the past it had to be a dull brown, green, gray, or other neutral color. No longer is that true. Now the installer can design intricate patterns and borders, using a mixture of colors as desired.

It is relatively easy to install these floors. Laying a quarter-inch plywood foundation helps make a smooth, level surface to which the flooring will adhere. Staggering joints and using a leveling compound on them will help get a smoother surface. Shoe molding must be removed and door jambs and casing trimmed to allow a good fit. A light sanding will further smooth the under layer.

The floor must be divided into four equal sections, marking them as you measure so you can locate the exact center. The first tile will be laid against the mark where the sections intersect. Each quadrant will start at the center intersection and work outward. This keeps there from being an unsightly gap with uneven tiles. Those in the center of the floor will be whole until you get to the outside edges.

When you get to where a whole tile doesn't fit between the previous one and the wall, it will need to be cut it to fit. To measure, the easiest way is to lay a full tile over the last one laid, matching it to the exposed edge of the laid tile. Place another full tile on top, butting one edge against the wall and overlapping the one to be cut. Cut along the overlapped edge. You will have the right size to set into the opening.

When you are finished laying all your floor, go back and cut out an openings that have been covered, such as those for heat registers and such. You can use a very sharp utility knife or a tile cutter so that you can get a smooth edge. Be careful and use a slow, steady motion so as not to break o tear you newly laid flooring. Replace covers, shoe molding, and anything else you had to remove. Replace anything that was damaged with new materials.

After putting everything away, do a light damp mopping of the floor to remove any construction dust. Then, all that remains is to sit back and enjoy your new floor. You should have many years of enjoyment to come. Save a few tiles and you can repair any future damage, keeping your floor in great condition for a long time.




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