Get more from YOUR FLOOR
The Home Handyman|March/April 2023
Installing a luxury vinyl tile floor-how to do-it-yourself.
Get more from YOUR FLOOR

In this article, we'll be going over the steps to install a new luxury vinyl tile (LVT) floor.

I really like this product because it looks like ceramic tile, but it's not. It's not fragile or prone to cracking, it's not cold underfoot, it's not hard if you were to fall on it, it's not nearly as slippery when wet. At the same time, it retains much of the durability and all of the style of ceramic tile. It also doesn't require special tools to cut and it has very short dry times compared to ceramic tile. Most people will think you have a traditional tile floor until they touch it, then they'll be amazed!

LVT flooring is a popular choice for foyers, kitchens and bathrooms. It is durable, easy to install and maintain. I've installed quite a few of these floors and I've been very pleased with the process and outcomes.

What you will need

Materials:

  • LVT flooring 
  • Grout 
  • Pressure sensitive adhesive 

Tools:

  • Demolition tools (hammer, pry bar, scraper, etc) 
  • Trowel or paint roller 
  • Grout float/sponges/bucket 
  • Utility knife
  • Snips 
  • Tape measure

Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Prep floor
First, we'll need to ensure that the subfloor is suitable for the installation. Ideally, you'll have a flat and smooth surface for installing your LVT.

This foyer had natural slate tiles that were glued to a subfloor. The tiles popped off cleanly and easily. They were improperly installed and had very poor adhesion, hence the need for a new floor. After the tile and grout were removed, we were left with a relatively smooth wooden subfloor; perfect for installing LVT.

This story is from the March/April 2023 edition of The Home Handyman.

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This story is from the March/April 2023 edition of The Home Handyman.

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