Peel and stick vinyl tiles. Any tips, tricks, or warnings?

[thedarkwolf]

UPDATE 2
Flash on this one makes all the white glow but it shows the floor pretty well.
2
3
4
I'm happy with the results. Still need to put down the new threshold on my back door. I used vinyl adhesive on the tiles by the door because I know the threshold is going to try to pop those up so I wanted a little extra strength. Have those cans setting on them till their dry. Whenever I get around to painting the laundry room I'll have to go around and fill in the nail holes in the new shoe molding and touch up some places on the baseboards. Still need to drag my table back in there too. Only hard part of the project was cutting the bottom of my back door to fit with my new now higher threshold. Even that wasn't really hard I just had to do it twice to get to fit right and was PITA taking it down and carrying it in and out of the house.

------------------------------------
UPDATE
I"ve been working on it for about 6 hours and my back is started to hurt and it looks like I'm going to be about 10 tiles short so I"m stopping for the night. I want to get the tiles before doing more so I can blend them in with what little is left in case they are slightly different so they won't stand out as much.

1
2
I'm happy with it so far. Certainly looks better then the old crap.

Best pic I have showing the old crap. Didn't think to take a good pic of it before I started. Just for the hell of it pic from before I did anything in there.


------------------------------------------------------
Planning to do it in my kitchen and laundry room. I would rather do real tile but the housing market around here is crap and I'm not going to see any return on that investment so $200 to redo the 1970s vinyl thats there now with the peel and stick stuff seems like a good deal.

1. pop up old 1/4 round on the baseboard
2. clean the hell out of old floor to remove wax and dirt
3. smooth any damages in old floor
4. slap down new floor
5. new 1/4 round
6. profit

Missing anything? I was planning to stagger the joints to help hide any inconsistency in the tile. The only things I'm worried about is how well it will hold up. I don't want tiles coming up in a couple months.

 

[drnickriviera]

You plan on putting the new floor right over the existing vinyl? I'd only do it if the floor was in good shape and not peeling up. It's not difficult to remove it.

 

[MrPickins]

Make sure the tile is lined up perfectly before you set it down. That contact cement grabs hold immediately.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: MrPickins
Make sure the tile is lined up perfectly before you set it down. That contact cement grabs hold immediately.

Most are activated by weight, so they can be pulled up if there is an issue. After laying you should rent a vinyl floor roller from HD.

As for tips, if the floor is not perfectly clean you will see the dirt very obviously projected through the floor.

 

[MrPickins]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: MrPickins
Make sure the tile is lined up perfectly before you set it down. That contact cement grabs hold immediately.

Most are activated by weight, so they can be pulled up if there is an issue. After laying you should rent a vinyl floor roller from HD.

As for tips, if the floor is not perfectly clean you will see the dirt very obviously projected through the floor.

The type I have used recommended a separate application of adhesive to the floor. But, these were in commercial applications.

 

[bctbct]

Vinyl self adhesive? Please remove #6

 

[IGBT]

..use brand name product. I bought off brand tile at Lowes and one of em is peeling at the surface.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: drnickriviera
You plan on putting the new floor right over the existing vinyl? I'd only do it if the floor was in good shape and not peeling up. It's not difficult to remove it.

The old floor is in good shape other then a few nicks and is peeling under the fridge but I figured I can just reglue that part, its under the fridge anyway . There are at least two layers down already and this is a old house so it probably has rough boards underneath those and I don't think it would stick well to that. The rollers I've seen them use on Tv just looked like paint rollers only the roller part is a solid wheel. Didn't think they would be very expensive just too buy one but I didn't see any just browsing around the store. If I can buy one cheap I'll just do that since I plan to do the bathroom at some point too. As for the profit thing there is no real profit to be had in this area. I just don't want people to see this floor and think EW!!!!! whenever I do go to sell this place.

Thanks for the tips

 

[imported_Imp]

A blow dryer works great for removing old tiles.

 

[skyking]

After you get it all down, give it a couple of days before you roll in the appliances.
Purchase 2 sheets of 1/8" tempered hardboard at home depot, 6.99 each.
Have the home depot guys courtesy cut it into 2' strips, and lay it shiny side down on the new floor.
Now the hand truck wheels, and more importantly the fridge rollers won't have a chance to mar up or lift up your new floor.
I just spend 2 grand on some nice mannington flooring, and did exactly that procedure, today

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Planning to do it in my kitchen and laundry room. I would rather do real tile but the housing market around here is crap and I'm not going to see any return on that investment so $200 to redo the 1970s vinyl thats there now with the peel and stick stuff seems like a good deal.

1. pop up old 1/4 round on the baseboard
2. clean the hell out of old floor to remove wax and dirt
3. smooth any damages in old floor
4. slap down new floor
5. new 1/4 round
6. profit

Missing anything? I was planning to stagger the joints to help hide any inconsistency in the tile. The only things I'm worried about is how well it will hold up. I don't want tiles coming up in a couple months.

There is something to be said for putting down what you like and want to walk on. Thats the difference between a house and a home.

 

[DrPizza]

After you clean the old floor, wipe it down with alcohol using a lint free rag. While applying the tiles, keep the rag a little damp and wipe down ahead of where you're working every once in a while.

 

[Kelemvor]

Be sure to take some before, during, and after pics so we can all see.

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Planning to do it in my kitchen and laundry room. I would rather do real tile but the housing market around here is crap and I'm not going to see any return on that investment so $200 to redo the 1970s vinyl thats there now with the peel and stick stuff seems like a good deal.

1. pop up old 1/4 round on the baseboard
2. clean the hell out of old floor to remove wax and dirt
3. smooth any damages in old floor
4. slap down new floor
5. new 1/4 round
6. profit

Missing anything? I was planning to stagger the joints to help hide any inconsistency in the tile. The only things I'm worried about is how well it will hold up. I don't want tiles coming up in a couple months.

1. I think your refering to "shoe molding". Yeah it's a good idea to pop that out so that you can put the tile underneath.

2. Do you know how many subfloors you have underneath. Someone might of redid the floor in the past and decided to put flooring right over top that. If you have just one layer of flooring you can easily remove it then. But if you have multiple layers you need to take considerations on removing all. Also (if this is a 1st or 2nd floor) you need to tighten down the main floor underneath. Likely it was secured by nails. I would remove them and put in screws. When your finished the floor should be squeek free. I had to do this with my kitchen.

Honestly I don't like the way vinyl floor tiles look. I was watching some videos last night on someone doing it. It honestly looks like shit. They don't randomize the pattern on some of these tiles and when your looking at it, the pattern is repeating for some reason on some tiles.

I was at Home Depot last night for some projects I was doing. I think they were selling Armstrong Vinyl stick tiles for 1.32 a sq ft and ceremic floor tiles (with raised relief pattern and coloring) for 99 per sq ft?????

You just are going to spend a little extra on cement backer board (if needed) and grout/adhesive.

One thing I'm also concerned about is how old these tiles (old ones) are. They may contain asbestos. In which case you must use certian equipment to remove them.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Its not just cost its also the effort to do it. The Armstrong vinyl here is $1 a sq ft and I have seen real tile for that but once you throw in removing the old vinyl, buying and laying backing board, the tools need to install it, grout, the extra time, and the fact I've never done real tile before the vinyl starts looking pretty good. This area the average house price is $40k so we aren't talking granite counters, highend appliances, and really nice tile floors in the average houses here. Any little things I do here to update things already makes the house stand out compared to most of the others. The house right across the street from me just sold for $3500 and NO thats not a typo. It had crack heads living it and they destroyed it. The people that bought it cleaned all the trash up, cut the grass, and put it back on the market for $14k so thats what I'm up against .

And there is some other tile floor under the vinyl thats down now and it does look like that kind that could be asbestos. Thats another reason I really don't want to mess with it.

 

[Vette73]

Why does most people think I can;t use XYZ item as it does not add enough value...? You are going to use it and see it everyday. I take it you don;t own a car, computer, etc... since they drop in value over time.

I tiled my small bath in marble for less then $200. You can do tile in your area for around the $200 mark using the basic tile at lowes.

Me and my wife just finished putting the marble down in our 2 bathroom and also putting hardwood (solid 3/4inch) in our master bedroom, bedroom1, and living room. Will be doing the master closet tonight. If you are going to live there do soemthing you will like and enjoy.

 

[amdskip]

I did a bathroom floor in real tile, turned out pretty good for no experience with tile. I am now doing the other bathroom, main entrance, and kitchen.

 

[TheSlamma]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Why does most people think I can;t use XYZ item as it does not add enough value...? You are going to use it and see it everyday. I take it you don;t own a car, computer, etc... since they drop in value over time.

I tiled my small bath in marble for less then $200. You can do tile in your area for around the $200 mark using the basic tile at lowes.

Me and my wife just finished putting the marble down in our 2 bathroom and also putting hardwood (solid 3/4inch) in our master bedroom, bedroom1, and living room. Will be doing the master closet tonight. If you are going to live there do soemthing you will like and enjoy.

I was gonna say I just did (well and 90% complete) my upstairs bath in the 10mm ga. slate the floor and 3 walls all the way up (8ft) good mortar+grout and natural stone sealer for less then $450. I could have made it cheaper by not going all the way up the walls or doing a porcelain tile or something cheaper then slate but I really like the natural look. But heck $450 felt like nothing to get a bathroom with a finish you usually only see in very expensive homes.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: TheSlamma

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Why does most people think I can;t use XYZ item as it does not add enough value...? You are going to use it and see it everyday. I take it you don;t own a car, computer, etc... since they drop in value over time.

I tiled my small bath in marble for less then $200. You can do tile in your area for around the $200 mark using the basic tile at lowes.

Me and my wife just finished putting the marble down in our 2 bathroom and also putting hardwood (solid 3/4inch) in our master bedroom, bedroom1, and living room. Will be doing the master closet tonight. If you are going to live there do soemthing you will like and enjoy.

I was gonna say I just did (well and 90% complete) my upstairs bath in the 10mm ga. slate the floor and 3 walls all the way up (8ft) good mortar+grout and natural stone sealer for less then $450. I could have made it cheaper by not going all the way up the walls or doing a porcelain tile or something cheaper then slate but I really like the natural look. But heck $450 felt like nothing to get a bathroom with a finish you usually only see in very expensive homes.

Yep!!!

My wife is VERY picky. So the 5 foot jacuzzi bathtub was to small so we got the 6 foot. Most wood looked cheap so i hadx to find wood that was her color, size (not to small or big), etc... so I found soem japanese cherry that she liked. Also 4x4 walk in tiled shower was not enough so it will be 4x5 and so forth. yea its kinda pain but if you are going to live there then do it right so it will last and you will enjoy living there. Right now the living room looks great with the new floor and paint.

 

[TheSlamma]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: TheSlamma

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Why does most people think I can;t use XYZ item as it does not add enough value...? You are going to use it and see it everyday. I take it you don;t own a car, computer, etc... since they drop in value over time.

I tiled my small bath in marble for less then $200. You can do tile in your area for around the $200 mark using the basic tile at lowes.

Me and my wife just finished putting the marble down in our 2 bathroom and also putting hardwood (solid 3/4inch) in our master bedroom, bedroom1, and living room. Will be doing the master closet tonight. If you are going to live there do soemthing you will like and enjoy.

I was gonna say I just did (well and 90% complete) my upstairs bath in the 10mm ga. slate the floor and 3 walls all the way up (8ft) good mortar+grout and natural stone sealer for less then $450. I could have made it cheaper by not going all the way up the walls or doing a porcelain tile or something cheaper then slate but I really like the natural look. But heck $450 felt like nothing to get a bathroom with a finish you usually only see in very expensive homes.

Yep!!!

My wife is VERY picky. So the 5 foot jacuzzi bathtub was to small so we got the 6 foot. Most wood looked cheap so i hadx to find wood that was her color, size (not to small or big), etc... so I found soem japanese cherry that she liked. Also 4x4 walk in tiled shower was not enough so it will be 4x5 and so forth. yea its kinda pain but if you are going to live there then do it right so it will last and you will enjoy living there. Right now the living room looks great with the new floor and paint.

That tub sounds so nice... we just kept the regular tub since we do plan on selling in the next year or 2. But next place we get we already said we're goin for a jet tub I'll keep the 6' in mind

In the downstairs though we also did the 4X5 walk in shower and LOVE it, I just did a nice ceramic tile down there but it still looks really good and is nice and bright/clean so it's great for a downstairs bathroom. (My house is a typical late 40's brick bungalo so both bathrooms are 5X9)

 

[thedarkwolf]

I don't want to live here though . I'm just doing things to make it stand out from its competition and the kitchen floor isn't the only thing I need to do. I just blew $700 in there on a new stove and over the range microwave and I still need to either paint my current fridge to match, cheap, or replace it for another $600 or so plus gut the bathroom down to the studs and start over, replace all the decking and columns on the front and back porch, patch and redo the hardwood floors, kitchen counters, etc. None of which will really add any value. If I can save a couple hundred bucks on the kitchen floor that means I can get around to another project that much sooner.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: TheSlamma

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: TheSlamma

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Why does most people think I can;t use XYZ item as it does not add enough value...? You are going to use it and see it everyday. I take it you don;t own a car, computer, etc... since they drop in value over time.

I tiled my small bath in marble for less then $200. You can do tile in your area for around the $200 mark using the basic tile at lowes.

Me and my wife just finished putting the marble down in our 2 bathroom and also putting hardwood (solid 3/4inch) in our master bedroom, bedroom1, and living room. Will be doing the master closet tonight. If you are going to live there do soemthing you will like and enjoy.

I was gonna say I just did (well and 90% complete) my upstairs bath in the 10mm ga. slate the floor and 3 walls all the way up (8ft) good mortar+grout and natural stone sealer for less then $450. I could have made it cheaper by not going all the way up the walls or doing a porcelain tile or something cheaper then slate but I really like the natural look. But heck $450 felt like nothing to get a bathroom with a finish you usually only see in very expensive homes.

Yep!!!

My wife is VERY picky. So the 5 foot jacuzzi bathtub was to small so we got the 6 foot. Most wood looked cheap so i hadx to find wood that was her color, size (not to small or big), etc... so I found soem japanese cherry that she liked. Also 4x4 walk in tiled shower was not enough so it will be 4x5 and so forth. yea its kinda pain but if you are going to live there then do it right so it will last and you will enjoy living there. Right now the living room looks great with the new floor and paint.

That tub sounds so nice... we just kept the regular tub since we do plan on selling in the next year or 2. But next place we get we already said we're goin for a jet tub I'll keep the 6' in mind

In the downstairs though we also did the 4X5 walk in shower and LOVE it, I just did a nice ceramic tile down there but it still looks really good and is nice and bright/clean so it's great for a downstairs bathroom. (My house is a typical late 40's brick bungalo so both bathrooms are 5X9)

Our house was built in the 50's so it onyl had 1 bath. Someone in the 70's or so added a full bath to the closed garage and made that the master bedroom. We took the wall down between the bath and bedroom and made the bedroom a little smaller and the bathroom a lot bigger. So the bath now/will have a large jacuzzi tub, walk in closet, large walk in shower with glass walls, and dual sinks. needless to say i am back at work today and am very sore and still have plenty of work to do. Anybody live in N.VA (springfield) and want to help... I have powerade

 

[Chryso]

You bought the house with the current floor in it. Why wouldn't someone else?

 

[Wapp]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
I don't want to live here though . I'm just doing things to make it stand out from its competition and the kitchen floor isn't the only thing I need to do. I just blew $700 in there on a new stove and over the range microwave and I still need to either paint my current fridge to match, cheap, or replace it for another $600 or so plus gut the bathroom down to the studs and start over, replace all the decking and columns on the front and back porch, patch and redo the hardwood floors, kitchen counters, etc. None of which will really add any value. If I can save a couple hundred bucks on the kitchen floor that means I can get around to another project that much sooner.

Ceramic tile won't be that much more than vinyl.

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Its not just cost its also the effort to do it. The Armstrong vinyl here is $1 a sq ft and I have seen real tile for that but once you throw in removing the old vinyl, buying and laying backing board, the tools need to install it, grout, the extra time, and the fact I've never done real tile before the vinyl starts looking pretty good. This area the average house price is $40k so we aren't talking granite counters, highend appliances, and really nice tile floors in the average houses here. Any little things I do here to update things already makes the house stand out compared to most of the others. The house right across the street from me just sold for $3500 and NO thats not a typo. It had crack heads living it and they destroyed it. The people that bought it cleaned all the trash up, cut the grass, and put it back on the market for $14k so thats what I'm up against .

And there is some other tile floor under the vinyl thats down now and it does look like that kind that could be asbestos. Thats another reason I really don't want to mess with it.

40K and the last house sold for $3,500!!!!! WTF kind of ghetto area is this. Just put the cheapest vinyl tiles that hit the streets on there. Try to get them used on craigslist......

I think I put 40K down to buy my house 2 yrs ago.