Peel And Stick Floor Tiles For A New Look

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  • Author Annie Deakin
  • Published February 13, 2010
  • Word count 534

Perhaps you have redecorated a room, but there is something that is still missing. Perhaps it is the floor covering. Peel and stick floor tiles are an inexpensive and quick way to change the look of a floor and a room. You just peel the waxed paper off the tiles and stick them into place.

Many people prefer the eighteen inch tiles over the smaller twelve inch ones. The larger sized tiles stick better than the small ones do.

Begin the job by preparing a clean hard surface that will allow you to stick the tiles. Any carpet on the floor will need to be removed along with padding and tack strip. Sweep and vacuum the flooring where you will stick the tiles. A damp rag can be used to remove any dust just prior to sticking each piece of tile.

You may need to fill any cracks before installing the tiles. If the floor is very rough, consider installing a layer of one-quarter inch plywood over the flooring before installing the tiles. Ring nails should be used to install the plywood and all nails driven flush with the surface of the wood.

If there is an existing tile floor that is in good shape you can install the peel and stick tiles over the old floor. If only one or two tiles are broken or missing, consider replacing them with similar materials. If several tiles are broken and missing, you may need to remove the old floor covering before proceeding. A heat gun will help to remove the old flooring.

Use a tape measure to find the center of each wall. Make a cross on the floor using a chalk line and marking from center of wall to center of wall. Start the tile in one quadrant of the cross and work out toward the wall, using the chalk lines as a guide.

Be sure that you pay attention to the directional arrows that are printed on each tile bottom. They should all point the same direction. Match corners so that they are flush and no gaps are left

In doorways, you will need special carpet stripping that makes the transition from tile to carpet or even tile to other tile. At exterior doors, the tile can run underneath the weatherstripping. This will give your new floor a finished look.

Trim tiles to fit as close to the walls as possible. You will find that a utility knife makes cutting the floor tiles an easy job. Trimmed edges should fit toward the walls. Do not try to match a trimmed edge to a pre-cut edge. You will not ever make the match. Install molding along the wall to cover the edges of the tiles and your room will look very finished.

Keep all the small pieces of tile that come from trimming picked up and thrown away. They like to stick to the bottoms of other pieces of tile and will cause a bubble under the floor that will eventually wear a hole in the tile.

If one or two tiles do not want to stick to the floor, spray adhesive will usually do the trick to keep the tile in its place.

Annie is an expert furniture and interior design writer. Her current area of specialism is oak coffee table and shelving

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