The basement is a part of the home that is often overlooked when it comes to redecorating. When you start to do the work, however, you realize that it can be a beautiful and useful place in the home. Can you redo the basement floor with vinyl tiles?
Vinyl tiles are one of the best options available for redoing the basement floor. You can use any type of vinyl tile for this purpose but some are better suited than others. You can use luxury vinyl tile to dress things up.
There are many reasons why you may want to consider using luxury vinyl tile in the basement. It is more than just a beautiful option that can make the basement feel more like a part of the home, it’s a practical option as well.
Can You Put Vinyl Tiles On Basement Floor? (How To)
Perhaps one of the best reasons to use luxury vinyl tile on a basement floor is because it is waterproof. There are many types of floors that have a water-resistant nature, including luxury vinyl tile, but vinyl tile provides a waterproof surface.
This is important to consider in many basements because there is a good possibility that you are going to get some flooding at some time or another. If you end up with water in the basement, you certainly would want to have vinyl tile down instead of something that could be ruined.
Vinyl tile is made out of PVC, so it can stand up to a lot of water. In many cases, it also is treated with antifungal properties so it will do well when it comes to mold and mildew. That being said, it doesn’t mean that there are never going to be any problems when it comes to mold and mildew.
If there is any mold left on the floor before you install the tile, it is going to be a problem. As long as there is an organic material, water, and oxygen, the mold has the opportunity to grow.
In addition, if water does get underneath the vinyl tile, it can allow mold to grow in the area as well. This can be a real problem that needs to be addressed. After all, vinyl tile may stand up to a lot of water but it is not impossible for water to get through.
Other options can also be considered for installing vinyl on a basement floor. It doesn’t necessarily have to be luxury vinyl tile but you could also install some peel-and-stick vinyl tile.
Peel and stick vinyl tile has the benefit of being less expensive but it still gives a viable option for many basement floors. As long as the concrete is sound and in good condition, you can install the peel-and-stick and have something that will last for many years.
That being said, if your basement does flood, you may have some problems in the future. The adhesive on peel-and-stick vinyl tile is not necessarily as strong as the adhesive you would use for regular vinyl tile.
That is why some professionals recommend that you do more than simply peel and stick the inexpensive vinyl tile to the concrete floor. You might also want to add a little bit of professional adhesive to get it to stick for the long term.
In this article, we will consider several different factors associated with installing vinyl tile on a basement floor. This will include some of the problems that may be associated with it as well as how to prepare for the job so that it is successful.
Should You Put Vinyl Tiles On Basement Floor?
As is the case with many home improvement projects, there are some good things and some bad things to consider when it comes to installing vinyl tile on the basement floor. Keeping these things in mind can do more than help you to see if you can do it, it helps you to see if you should do it.
The main reason why people choose luxury vinyl tile or even peel-and-stick vinyl tile is that it is durable and waterproof. You don’t have to worry about the moisture that is sometimes associated with the basement. Just put it down and live on it.
That being said, there certainly are some potential problems with vinyl tile as well. Here are some of the issues that could be seen:
VOCs – Vinyl tile is made with many different chemicals and not all of those chemicals have the opportunity to off-gas before it is installed. Offgassing of VOCs can be a problem that can last for years.
Repair – It can be challenging to repair a small area of vinyl tile that has become damaged. It is especially difficult to repair vinyl tile that is glued to the basement floor.
Value – Many types of floors will add to the value of the home but that is not necessarily the case with vinyl tile. Improving the basement is of benefit but vinyl tile does not necessarily add to the resale value of the home.
Not Ecologically Friendly – If you are looking for a green floor, this is not going to be the option to choose from. Not only is vinyl made from plastic, but it also is not a type of plastic that is easy to recycle.
Use our tile floor calculator to find out how much it’ll cost you to put tile on basement floor.
What Tools Do You Need To Put Vinyl Tiles On Basement Floor?
When you are getting ready to install your vinyl floor, you will want to have your tools on hand. The following is a short list of tools that you will need:
Broom and Dust Pan
Shop Vac
Level
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Tape Measure
Utility Knife with Extra Blades
Straight Edge
Speed Square
Trowel
General Carpentry Tools
Safety Glasses
All-Purpose Gloves
What Preparations Do You Need To Install Vinyl Tiles On Basement Floor?
When you are ready to install vinyl tile on your basement floor, preparation is key to getting the job done. Here are some of the things needed to get ready for the installation.
Measure the Moisture – One important aspect is to measure the moisture of the existing concrete slab. If it is a new slab, you may need to wait a few months before you put down the vinyl floor. Testing the moisture in the slab is also important to make sure it is ready for the project.
Do Your Repairs – If there are any holes or cracks in the concrete subfloor, you will want to repair them at this point. In some cases, you may need to float the entire floor to have a level, clean surface that is ready to go. Any imperfections with the subfloor will show up through the vinyl.
Clean – Just like repairing a vinyl floor, it is also important to clean the floor thoroughly before you install the vinyl tile. Any bumps from dirt or debris, regardless of how small, will show through the vinyl and ruin the job.
Underlayment – If you are using a tongue and groove vinyl tile, you may need an underlayment that will act as a moisture barrier and padding for the vinyl floor. This is not going to be necessary if you have a glue-down floor.
How To Install Vinyl Tiles On Basement Floor
Now that you have the subfloor prepared, it’s time to get started on the installation.
Step 1: Mark Lines – You want a reference line that will get your vinyl tile started on the right foot. Measure the room carefully, being sure to snap the chalk lines so that you can have a straight tile row to begin and that you have any designs mapped out as well.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on October 3, 2022.
Step 2: Apply Adhesive – Apply enough adhesive that you can work with it without walking on it. After you apply the adhesive you may need to wait a while before you begin installing the tile.
Keep in mind that it is very difficult to lift the tile once it is put in place. Make sure that you have everything lined up properly before you allow the tile to drop into the adhesive.
You don’t need to work quickly because, generally speaking, you have maybe 12 hours to work with the adhesive before you need to put more down.
Step 3: Lay the Tiles – Begin by installing the first row of tiles. Be very careful to get them to line up carefully with the reference line. It will act as a guide and any mistake will be compounded as you continue across the room.
Step 4: Roll – After installing vinyl tile, use a heavy roller to roll the entire floor in both directions. This will ensure that the tiles have properly adhered to the subfloor.
It is desirable to install vinyl tiles on the basement floor. They are waterproof, so they will stand up the moisture and will do well if there is an occasional flood. You can use either snap-together floating tile or glue-down tile to improve the basement and make it a livable area of the home.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on October 3, 2022.