Self-stick floor tiles

[RichZ]

I haven't put down a tile floor in years, but my wife and I are considering putting tiles on a section of wood flooring that is just too beat up to refinish. In the past, I never used self-stick floor tiles because the adhesive wasn't very good, and they'd eventually come loose. Are self-stick floor tiles better now? Are there certain brands which are better?

Thanks!!

 

[sixdogs]

Would it be a concern that the tiles would "settle" and the impression of the wood underneath could be seen through the tiles? I have seen that a lot. How about a floating, snap together thin wood floor instead that you could take up if it didn't work out?

While I haven't put down any tile floors recently, I have taken up a few of them. All were glued down and that tells me the self-stick needs help. On every job I cursed and fumed over trying to get them up and vowed if I ever put one down, I would either not glue it but instead use a different floor material.

Inexact comments but I hope they are helpful.

 

[mddorange]

I have used self stick tiles a lot and if you do the preparation properly and then use a roller on each tile as you put it in place, they will stay stuck.

The big thing I found out is that you have to apply a good primer (like Glidden Gripper) to the floor before putting down the tile. It does not matter what surface you are covering, it has to be covered with primer first. Walk on the primed floor as little as possible before and when applying the tile. Then as you put down each tile, roll over it well while applying as much pressure as possible.

 

[Gunny]

I've used the self sticks before, but never had a whole lot of luck with them. I'd rather lay luxury vinyl tile down, (planks). That stuff is beautiful, has some cushion to it and is a breeze to put down. While it is a floating floor, as long as your floor is reasonably level and in sound shape, it will work. I've used some that lock together like laminated wood floors and some that glue up to the adjacent plank, both are very easy to work with.

 

[Lnk]

Recently put down a floating floor in our kitchen in preparation to sell. We used the tiles that have sticky overlapping edges, but do not stick to the floor. I was skeptical but am now very impressed. Looks great, goes down easy, (Easier than tile). Can not get them apart once stuck. Just plan out the flooring accordingly.

 

[PILOON]

About 20 yrs back I used cheap self stick on an old painted shop floor as I needed a quick fix.
Since oils and greases were present I wiped the area with lacquer thinner (phew) to assure a better oil free surface,
Well surprise, those tiles simply reused to ever let go after 2 yrs of heavy traffic.

 

[Deere Dude]

About 40 years ago I was with my wife and two boys (7-8) in a small town larger lumber yard looking at building products with the manager. As the manager was showing me and my wife something we kept on hearing a noise from a row or two over in the plumbing aisle. We looked around the corner and saw my youngest boy with a toilet plunger pulling up floor tile. We got a laugh out of that :laughing::laughing:and the manager said he wouldn't recommend that brand.

 

[prichard]

I've used the self sticks before, but never had a whole lot of luck with them. I'd rather lay luxury vinyl tile down, (planks). That stuff is beautiful, has some cushion to it and is a breeze to put down. While it is a floating floor, as long as your floor is reasonably level and in sound shape, it will work. I've used some that lock together like laminated wood floors and some that glue up to the adjacent plank, both are very easy to work with.

Same here. I did self stick a couple years ago and hated it. I did luxury vinyl yesterday and it was a breeze. Looks great too.

 

[reb]

Years ago I put self stick tiles down in a house. They stuck ok, but shrunk after several years, leaving gaps between the tiles. Might be that the more expensive tiles would work better, tho. I'm thinking about using Ink's idea for the next time. A neighbor did that a few years ago and it seems to have worked well.

 

[scdeerslayer]

I haven't used any like that nor would I likely consider using them, but I've had good success with the vinyl plank flooring that is self adhesive to stick each piece to the next. Just don't get the crappy vinyl plank from lumber liquidators that clicks together.