Kid-Friendly Flooring: Easy Vinyl Tile Installation Guide For Your Home

The trend of DIY home improvement has surged in recent years, especially during and after the pandemic when homeowners had the opportunity to personalize their spaces while saving on labor costs. Now, many people still opt to DIY their home renovation projects, since it allows them to have more control over the outcome. 

Among the various DIY projects, flooring stands out due to its influence on a home’s overall aesthetics and functionality. In addition to that, the right flooring is especially important for households with kids, elderly members, and persons with disabilities (PWD). Kid-friendly flooring needs to be safe, durable, and easy to maintain—making vinyl tiles an excellent choice. In this article, we will discuss what vinyl tiles are and share some tips on how to find the right type for your home. We will also provide you with a clear, step-by-step guide on how to measure tiles and install them easily. 

Kid-Friendly Flooring: Easy Vinyl Tile Installation Guide For Your Home

Flooring not only influences the aesthetic appeal of your home but also plays a vital role in safety and comfort. Choosing the right tiles for your home offers numerous benefits. Safety is the biggest benefit; slip-resistant vinyl tiles prevent falls while providing cushioned flooring to reduce impact during accidents. This makes vinyl tiles a safer option for children and the elderly. Vinyl tiles are also easy to maintain and require minimal effort to keep them clean.

The health benefits of vinyl tiles are significant as well. Vinyl tiles are easy to clean, making them a great option for maintaining a healthier indoor environment and reducing allergens that can exacerbate respiratory conditions.

Apart from the health and safety benefits of vinyl flooring/vinyl tiles, it also has aesthetic benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked. Vinyl tiles come in a wide variety of designs and colors that allow you to match your flooring to your home’s decor effortlessly. Furthermore, vinyl tiles are known for their durability and cost-effectiveness. They are long-lasting and offer an affordable option without compromising on quality or style.

How to Compute the Number of Tiles for Flooring

Accurate measurement is crucial for purchasing the right amount of vinyl tiles. It helps control the budget of the project by avoiding overbuying materials that won’t be used. Below is a simple guide on how to compute the number of tiles 

Measuring the Area

• Calculate the total square footage of the room by multiplying the length of the space by its width. (Ex. 12 feet long and 10 feet wide.) 
• Multiply the length by the width to get the room’s total area. (Ex. 12 ft x 10 ft = 120 sq ft)

Tile Coverage Calculation

• Determine the size of the vinyl tiles (Ex. 12 x 12 in. = 1 ft. x 1 ft. = 1sq ft.).
• Compute the number of tiles needed by dividing the total area by the area covered by one tile. (120 sq ft. x 1 sq. ft. = 120 tiles) 

Adding Extra Tiles

• Purchase an extra 10-15% of the number of vinyl tiles you will use to account for cutting waste and future repairs. (Ex. 20 tiles x  0.10 = 12 extra tiles)

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Install Vinyl Tiles for Your Home

1. Prepare your tools and materials

• Gather necessary tools such as a measuring tape, utility knife, tile/flooring adhesive, roller, and spacers.
• Ensure that the subfloor is clean, dry, and level for proper tile installation.
• Luxury vinyl tiles/flooring (LVT/LVF) require proper acclimation to room temperature to prevent warping and bucking. Make sure to leave the tiles in the room for at least 24 hours to let them be acclimated to the temperature and humidity of the room.  

2. Plan the Layout

• Measure the room dimensions to determine the layout of the tiles. (Refer to the guide above)
• Mark the center point of the room and create a chalk line grid for alignment.

3. Cut and Fit the Tiles

• Start from the center of your alignment and begin to work outwards.
• Cut tiles as needed to fit around obstacles and edges using a utility knife. Make sure the utility knife is sharp to avoid uneven cuts and rugged tile edges. 

4. Apply Adhesive

• Use an appropriate adhesive for your type of vinyl tiles. High-quality acrylic or urethane-based adhesives are commonly used, but ask your tile provider if your tiles need a different adhesive. 
• Apply the adhesive evenly and allow it to set according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

5. Lay the Tiles

• Place the tiles carefully along the chalk lines.
• Press tiles firmly and use a roller to secure good adhesion while eliminating air bubbles.

6. Add Finishing Touches

• Install transition strips between different flooring types. (As needed)
• Clean up the excess adhesive and perform a final check for any loose edges.

Vinyl Tile For a Kid-Friendly Flooring

Vinyl tiles are an excellent choice for a family-friendly home. It combines safety, health benefits, and aesthetic appeal with durability and affordability. Taking on a DIY vinyl tile installation project is a rewarding endeavor that enhances your living space in a cost-effective and stylish manner. So, why wait? Transform your home with beautiful, kid-friendly vinyl tiles today!

References

The Good Guys – The Good Guys. (n.d.). Best (& Worst) Flooring for Allergies & Asthma – The Good Guys. The Good Guys – The Good Guys. Retrieved June 6, 2024, from https://goodguyflooring.com/blogs/home-improvement-blog/best-worst-flooring-for-allergies-asthma

Mannington Flooring. (n.d.). 5 Benefits of Vinyl Plank Flooring | Mannington. Mannington Flooring. Retrieved June 6, 2024, from https://www.mannington.com/residential/blog/2019/04/5-benefits-of-vinyl-plank-flooring

Neilsen Bros Flooring. (n.d.). Benefits Of Acclimating Luxury Vinyl Flooring. Neilsen Bros Flooring. Retrieved June 6, 2024, from https://www.nielsenbrosflooring.com/blog/articles/Benefits-of-Acclimating-Luxury-Vinyl-Flooring

The UK Flooring Specialists. (n.d.). Vinyl Flooring Adhesive | Best4Flooring. The UK Flooring Specialists. Retrieved June 6, 2024, from https://www.best4flooring.co.uk/accessories-floor-tools-maintenance/vinyl-adhesive/