Wooden floors can be amazing, but if you want to replace the floors with something else that suits your decor choices better, you may not want to remove the wood completely. Fortunately, you don’t have to and you can just install new peel-and-stick tiles without the need for removal.
You can put peel-and-stick tiles on your wooden floors without any damage or too much difficulty. This type of floor covering could actually be a good idea since it requires low maintenance and is quite durable.
Peel-and-stick tiles, also known as vinyl tiles, are an affordable and relatively easy way to cancel noise and insulate and waterproof your hardwood floors, while also decorating your space.
Typically, these tiles won’t ruin your wooden floors and will actually protect them against the elements. However, it’s important that if you ever want to remove the tiles, you do so correctly to avoid damage.
What Tools Do You Need to Put Peel and Stick Tile Over Wood Floors?
Installing peel-and-stick tiles isn’t an overly complicated task, but you still need the right tools for the job to ensure everything goes smoothly.
To put peel-and-stick tiles over wooden floors, you will need a tape measure, chalk for guidelines, and cleaning supplies. If you’re installing underlayment, you’ll also need latex primer and a tool to apply it with.
Additionally, you’ll need galvanized ring shank nails and a sander in case the nails stand out after fastening the underlayment. You may also need a level to ensure that your floor is even.
What Preparations Do You Need to Put Peel and Stick Tile Over Wood Floors?
Although there isn’t a lot of work involved in putting peel-and-stick tiles on your floors, you still have a few preparations to make.
When putting down peel-and-stick tiles on your wooden floors, you need to be certain that the current floor is prepared adequately. The new tiles require a smooth, level, and undamaged surface to last long and look good.
It is highly recommended that you install underlayment before you put the tiles down. This will give the tiles a nice and even surface, which makes it easier for them to stick properly and stay in place.
A flat surface will also ensure that your tiles last longer and offer more stability and comfort.
Don’t forget to let your tiles acclimatize so they’re easier to install. Let the tiles spend at least two days in the room where they’ll be installed before you start the job.
How to Put Peel and Stick Tile Over Wood Floors
You need to install peel-and-stick tiles correctly to avoid damage over time, prevent an uneven surface, and ensure that it looks awesome.
When putting down peel-and-stick tiles over your wooden floors, you will likely not need adhesive. Choose a good adhesive and apply it thoroughly. Before installing the new flooring, make sure you’ve measured the room where it should go so you have enough to cover the whole floor.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to put down peel-and-stick tiles on wooden floors:
Step One
Although you can technically install the tiles directly on your floor, it’s best to install plywood underlayment. This will ensure an even surface, especially if your wooden floors are uneven or damaged. So prepare the room for this installation.
Step Two
You typically get plywood panels in sheets of four feet by eight feet with a thickness of 3/4 inches. Measure your floor so you can accurately determine how many panels you will need. Lay the panels down so the entire floor is covered. Make sure the boards are perpendicular to the floor joists.
Be sure to leave a gap of about 1/8 inch between the walls and the plywood panels so there is enough space for contraction and expansion as the temperatures change. If possible, remove your baseboard while you’re working on your floors.
Once you’ve placed the plywood underlayment, you need to fasten it properly. Skipping this step will have a negative effect on how smoothly your tile installation goes.
Starting from one corner and working toward the opposite corner, fasten the panels. Use a thick wooden board under your feet when you stand on the panels to drive in the fasteners. This ensures even foot pressure to get the underlayment flush with the floor.
You should use galvanized ring shank nails (they won’t rust as easily and are quite strong) so your panels are secure for a long time. Every nail should be about four inches apart along the panel edges and six inches apart in the panel field.
Make sure the heads are sunk into the plywood so it doesn’t show when you install your peel-and-stick tiles. If necessary, sand the nails to make them even.
Step Three
Once you’re happy with the underlayment’s installation, you should apply a latex primer to give your tiles a better surface to stick to. The primer will seal the underlayment, which prevents any moisture from seeping through. Moisture leakage can lead to the tiles becoming unglued.
For this purpose, mix three parts of the primer and one part of water and then apply it to the plywood. Make sure you apply it evenly. The first coat of primer should be diluted because this allows it to seep into the underlayment. Apply a second coat, this time not diluting the primer at all.
Once the primer is dry, clean the room and make sure you remove all debris.
Step Four
Now it’s time to make guidelines so you know exactly where to lay the peel-and-stick tiles so they’re installed in a neat and straight line. You can use chalk or a pencil to make the lines.
Mark the center of your room with perpendicular chalk or pencil lines. To do this, determine the room’s width in two different spots and then mark the center of each measurement. Pull a line from one wall across to the other so it crosses through the previous marks you’ve made.
Make another line against the floor so you have a center line that goes through the marks. Now, determine the middle of your chalk or pencil line and mark it clearly.
Create another line perpendicular to the first one so it goes through the mark you’ve made in the middle of the room. This sounds like a lot of work but will split the room into four equal parts and make installing your tiles much easier.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 1, 2022.
Step Five
Now it’s time to get the tiles ready for installation. Peel one tile’s protective backing off and flip it over so the bottom faces you. Make sure you pull the backing off slowly so you don’t make contact with the adhesive. Touching the glue can make it stick poorly.
Place the tile in the corner where your chalk lines intersect (still with the adhesive side toward you) and if you’re sure about the placement, flip it over so the adhesive faces the floor. Line up a corner of the tile with one of the four corners you’ve marked and slowly lower it until it perfectly lines up.
Carefully press the tile to the floor and gently secure it with the base of your palm. Make sure the tile is lined up perfectly before you set it down.
Step Six
Lay the other tiles in the same quadrant and work your way toward your walls. Finish one quadrant at a time, working meticulously to ensure they’re all lined up neatly and in a straight formation.
Step Seven
If necessary, cut the tiles with a utility knife so they fit perfectly. Now repeat the process for the other quadrants in the room.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 1, 2022.
Once you’re done, clean the room and replace the baseboard if you removed it earlier. That’s about all you need to install peel-and-stick tiles over wooden floors.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 1, 2022.