Vinyl floor tiles or sheet linoleum in high traffic areas

Vinyl floor tiles or lino is one of the most versatile of all flooring choices for your home. The beauty of using this type of flooring is the wide variety of choices you have in colors and textures. The interesting design ideas you can use when you mix and match different colored tiles for kitchens and bathrooms makes this an ideal product.

Sheet vinyl is great when you have large floor areas like play rooms or rooms like the laundry room where water may end up on the floor. It is very easy to clean and with the new acrylic finishes you never need to use a wax.

With lino or what is referred to as linoleum floors whether you use large sheets or tiles it is important that your floor is flat and level with no bumps. Because of the cushioned tile it will show up any bumps or indents where the floor isn't level after installation. The other benefits of using a this type of flooring is that it can be installed on most anything.

Sub-floors can be a 1 inch or 3/4 inch plywood, apply it it above grade on old sheet vinyl, can be used on concrete below grade, and also on ceramic tiles. If you do not like using glue on your floors there is a product called loose lay sheet vinyl which you is like a floating floor that is glueless. It has a heavy fiberglass backing and once you roll it out its done, its a special order but can be purchased from most home depot stores. There is an alternate to this called modified loose lay, drop in and ask your home remolding expert where you can get it.

Installation tip of the day:

If you are wondering if you can use vinyl sheets or tiles on your basement floor and are worried about moisture try this trick. Take a piece of heavy plastic about a foot square and tape it to the cement. Wait a couple of hours and see if there is moisture underneath. If there is you need to seal the floor first.

• Tools and Tips - to get the job done easier