Vinyl Tiles

• 1). Make sure the subfloor is dry, then seal all cracks and holes with floor leveling compound. Let this dry for at least two hours, and then sand it flat with a belt sander. Make sure you sand down all protrusions because any you leave will be noticeable when you lay the floor covering. Vacuum all dust away, and wipe the subfloor with a damp cloth.
  
  
• 2). Measure the midpoint of one wall with a tape measure, then use a carpenter's square to draw a perpendicular line to the center of the floor. Do the same from a perpendicular wall. The lines you draw will form a cross in the center of the floor.
  
  
• 3). Set four tiles in the cross so that their corners touch, and then lay the rest of the tiles, using these four as a reference. Do not glue the tiles down yet. Cut tiles to fit near the wall and around doorjambs and other obstructions with a utility knife, cutting the tiles from the back to avoid damaging the surface.
  
  
• 4). Return to the center when you have laid all the tiles and begin gluing them to the subfloor. Lift each tile in turn, spread adhesive on the subfloor with the trowel to completely cover the area where the tile will go, set the tile in place and press firmly over the surface of tile to seat it in the adhesive. Continue until all the tiles are glued, and then roll the floor with a 100-pound roller to squeeze bubbles out of the adhesive.
  
  

Rolled Vinyl

• 1). Prepare the subfloor following the process outlined in Step 1 of the section on Vinyl Tiles.
  
  
• 2). Unroll rolled vinyl and let it settle before you install it. Draw a line down the center of the room that is perpendicular to the walls and measure the length of the room from wall to wall. Measure all obstructions that the floor has to fit around, such as doorjambs and cabinets, and make a diagram. Then use the diagram cut a length of rolled vinyl to fit with a utility knife, allowing 2 inches overlap on either end.
  
  
• 3). Lay in the flooring flush with the line and make sure it fits, then roll back half of it and spread adhesive on the floor with the trowel. Roll it down, then roll up the other half and repeat.
  
  
• 4). Measure the other half of the floor, make a diagram, and cut the vinyl to fit. Then lay it so that one edge fits tightly against the vinyl covering the other part of the floor glue it down in the same way.
  
  
• 5). Roll the floor with a 100-pound roller before the glue dries to remove bubbles in the adhesive.