Did you know that you can grout peel-and-stick vinyl tiles to look JUST LIKE ceramic tile?
You CAN and here’s how…
One of the presents for my parents for Christmas was to install a new floor in their foyer. I know a little strange for a present, but it’s what they wanted and needed, so I delivered. They had looked into having this 40 square foot space retiled using ceramic, but with estimates by professionals for over $1000, it wasn’t how they wanted to spend their money. In doing some research and hunting around for floor options for my own foyer (which I intend to redo soon), I found some really nice looking vinyl tile (yes the “peel and stick” kind) that you can actually grout to achieve a VERY similar look to ceramic tile, but at a fraction of the cost.
Duration of Project: 4 hours for a 40 square foot space
Project Difficulty: Easy to Medium – It wasn’t a difficult project and you really don’t need to have prior skills, but it is tiring being on your knees for an extensive period of time.
How Many People Needed: 1 – I completed this project by myself, but a helper on any project is better.
The “before” tile in their mudroom was a 6 x 6 black ceramic. The condition of the existing floor was very good, so I did not feel that there was a need to remove it and instead installed the new vinyl tile directly on top. (If your floor is uneven, I would recommend removing it and starting with a new subfloor.)
After a good cleaning (by my mom – I can’t take the credit on this one), I was ready to get started.
I first began by doing a dry lay of how the floor would look. With the two layout possibilities – straight or brick – we decided on a brick layout, which looked best in the space.
In the past, when reading instructions on how-to-lay-tile, the rule of thumb was to start in the center of the room – well I disagree. I think it really depends on the space and your desired layout. Yes, it may be good to start in the center of a room if the space is square or rectangular, but many spaces aren’t. I think it’s best to lay out the tile how you feel it will be best suited for the space. For this foyer, I decided to start in the corner, where the tile and wood meet, so you would see a full tile (not cut) at the transition.
Laying the Vinyl Tile
1. Start by peeling off part of the backing from the tile.
2. Lay it on the floor in the designated spot.
3. Once the edge is in place and stuck down on the surface, peel off the remainder of the paper backing.
4. Using spacers (I used 1/8″ spacers), start installing your next vinyl floor tile.
5. Unlike ceramic tile, it’s important that the peel-and-stick vinyl adheres to the surface below, so either walk on it ALOT or use a floor roller (a rolling pin could work too). Like my socks??
There is going to come a point where you’ll need to make some cuts to fit the vinyl flooring. Unlike the dreaded cuts with ceramic tile, cutting groutable vinyl tiles is fairly easy.
Cutting Vinyl Flooring
1. Using a pencil and ruler, determine where your cut is going to be and draw a line.
2. Then score the vinyl tile 2-3 times with a sharp construction blade or sheetrock knife (YOU DO NOT NEED TO PENETRATE THROUGH THE TILE – Keep Reading)
3. After scoring the vinyl tile, it should snap with ease and your straight cut piece will be read to lay.
Once the floor is complete, you are ready to grout IMMEDIATELY! This is one of the best parts about using groutable vinyl tile!
One more step before grouting…
4. As not to ruin the baseboard or the wall with grout, tape it off using painters tape. After the grout has been applied to the floor, you will peel it off BEFORE IT DRIES.
Now it’s time to GROUT!
How to Grout Vinyl Tile
Is grouting vinyl tile different than grouting ceramic tile? NOPE, it’s exactly the same, except you should use grout made for vinyl tile. I used pre-mixed grout made by Precision Components which I found in Home Depot in the same section as the groutable vinyl tiles. This premixed sanded acrylic grout has “good flexural strength and adhesion” and is recommended to use over traditional cement grouts. *THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT*
5. Working in small sections, you can either use my ziploc technique, used for my backsplash tile project and my fireplace tile project, or…
… you can use the traditional tile float.
Either way will work. Whichever method you choose, you will apply the grout, then using a tile sponge (one side has a sponge, the other side is abrasive), wipe the grout and haze away. You will need to continue wiping the haze away a few more times over the following 24 hours.
Always start in the corner of the space, so you can work your way out of the room. And always work in small sections at a time.
And then you’re groutable vinyl tile surface is complete! Just as with ceramic tile, don’t walk on the surface for at least 24 hours so the grout has enough time to dry.
Here is a closeup…
What a difference. Take another look at the before and after…
I thought it would be helpful to share some Pros and Cons to groutable vinyl tile, and how it compares to ceramic tile. And please feel free to email me with any questions.
Groutable Vinyl Tile PROS and CONS
Affordable – This 40 sq. ft. space was fairly inexpensive. The tiles which I purchased from Lowe’s were $1.08 and the premixed grout (which I only used half of) cost $7. The total cost of the entire project was about $65. Ceramic tile is available in a range of prices, but usually starts at $2 per sq. ft. , so the savings right there is 50%.
No Experience Required – Yes, I have tiled before, but I do not feel that this project was difficult at all. I think a person with little experience can complete this project with ease. Measuring and cutting is really the most difficult part of the project, so take your time and measure correctly! Installing ceramic tile is not difficult, but it is tricky and experience is helpful. Cutting ceramic tile can often be difficult and time consuming. For prior ceramic tile projects, I’ve used tile snips, a tile cutter, and a wet saw. A wet saw is the best for cutting ceramic tile, but it’s not easy – I’ve made alot of mistakes. In my estimation, ceramic tile would take about double the time for installation compared to installing groutable vinyl tile.
Grout Right Away – Immediately after you install the groutable vinyl tiles, you can start the grouting process. This makes the entire process possible to complete in one day. With ceramic tile, after you finish laying it, you have to let the adhesive dry for 24 hours before grouting, which results in a 2 day project, so essential ceramic tile takes double the time.
Availibility and Selection – I purchased this groutable vinyl tile at Lowe’s, but other home improvement stores also offer similar products. The selection is not as vast as ceramic tile (which is a con), but I was surprised by the wide range of colors and textures. When I was at the store making my purchase, I was told by a sales rep that any peel-and-stick vinyl tile is groutable, except for the styles that have the faux grout look around the edge. I don’t know if this is true or not, but it’s what I was told.
Since groutable vinyl tile takes no experience, is half the cost, and takes half the time, what will use for your next tile project?
Thankfully my parents are very pleased! Now I can’t wait to get started on my foyer floor, except it’s about 4x the size and will take alot more time and manpower. If you want to take a look at the layout, you can see and read about it {here}.
What DIY projects do you have planned for 2012?
I link my projects to some of these parties: Skip to My Lou, Dittle Dattle, Between Naps on the Porch, Today’s Creative Blog, Stories of A to Z, All Things Heart & Home, Savvy Southern Style, House of Hepworths, Finding Fabulous, Creation Corner, The Shabby Nest, Tatertots and Jello, Thrifty Decor Chick, Under the Table & Dreaming
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This is actually a to-do project on my list in 2012 for our kitchen. You made it look so easy that I am no longer intimidated by it!
Honestly, Latoya, it as fairly easy. There was little mess and it only took one day! I can’t wait to see your kitchen once it’s complete! xo Jenna
This looks great. I think the vinyl tiles get a bad rap. Never thought about grouting them.
Wow, I had no idea, I love it! You’ve got me thinking about my laundry room. Thanks!
Thanks so much Marce! You’ll definitely love installing vinyl tile over ceramic – so much easier and half the cost!! xo Jenna
This came out great Jenna! I’ve never seen grout for vinyl, it looks real and the cost rocks! Nicely done :)
Thanks Jessica. It’s truly amazing how the floor came out and looks JUST LIKE ceramic, but at half the cost. Thanks for the comment. xo Jenna
I’m so excited to see this! In a few months we’ll be transferred to a very high cost of living area. In scouting out houses not only will be get half the house for double the cost… but we’ll be getting old homes in need of some updating to say the least. I was thinking about the peel in stick tile… I had no idea it could be grouted and look so good! What a relief! Question… can you see the imprint of the original tile below or do you think after time it might start to show through?
Hi Tys, Thanks so much for the kind comment! Where are you going to be moving to? Even though the home you potentially will be buying may need some TLC, using some strategic planning and do-it-yourself projects, will really save on $$$. You do NOT see the original tile underneath and I don’t think you ever will because the tile is quite thick. It may happen with thinner, really cheap vinyl tile, but not with this. Good Luck! xo Jenna
That looks fantastic! I love groutable vinyl tile. I’ve used it throughout my entire condo (except I still have lots of areas that need to be grouted…and yes, it’s been a year *hanging head in shame*). But I definitely love how easy it is. And it’s incredibly durable!
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WOW! This looks fantastic! I totally want to update some old tile with this method now. I never even knew you could grout vinyl tiles
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Thanks Brooke!
We used vinyl tile in our bathroom at our old house. Adding grout would have made it look so much better! Will definitely save this for the future!
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The grout really does make a big difference – looks so much like ceramic tile.
I am attempting this in my bath and kitchen – but at the direction/suggestion of the man at the home improvement store we busted up the ceramic tile. A very messy and dusty process – and the floor required a lot of sanding….. Did you fill in your grout to ensure the surface was completely smooth prior to installation? The vinyl doesn’t show thelines of the original ceramic tile? Tis looks much easier for my kitchen but I was afraid the ceraic tile/grout were not smooth enough for the vinyl?
Yes, taking up a floor is very messy and dusty. If the the floor was level and in good condition, it might not have been necessary. I did not fill in the grout lines on the existing floor. Check out this comment by a flooring expert – this might help: I work in the floor industry and sometimes DIY jobs do not turn out so nice. just two notes about the tiles, these are considered Luxury Vinyl Tiles, not all peel-n-stick tiles are the same or even groutable. the other is if you are installing over another floor, not plywood, please put down some type of leveler or smooth base. It can telegraph up over time, no matter how thick and the other thing that may happen is the seal will not be as strong and it could cause it to come up or crack due to a flex point.
I have to say you did a wonderful job on the tile work. I work in the floor industry and sometimes DIY jobs do not turn out so nice. just two notes about the tiles, these are considered Luxury Vinyl Tiles, not all peel-n-stick tiles are the same or even groutable. the other is if you are installing over another floor, not plywood, please put down some type of leveler or smooth base. It can telegraph up over time, no matter how thick and the other thing that may happen is the seal will not be as strong and it could cause it to come up or crack due to a flex point. Great job!! and I love your blog
Great to know Laura, thanks for the information! I think when homeowners (myself included) go to these big name home improvement stores, they aren’t always getting accurate information from sales associates. I was told any tile could be groutable – obviously I’m wrong. Great information about using a leveler / smooth base. Can you recommend what to use? If you don’t mind, I’d like to add your comment into the article. Thanks again, Jenna
Thanks but I’m no expert, just seen a few things working in the industry that I want to pass on to people. I know about the big box stores, been there done that on many projects (especially having Mr. Fix-it husband) As far as a leveler, in the store we use a product called Ardex Feather Finish, it is a really good product but you do have to go to floor store to get it. There are three really nice DIY luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) out there, they are made by Armstrong, Mannington and Congoloeum that are groutable (plus on two of those the grout comes in tubes you use like caulk). The biggest tip I can tell ya about the peel/stick tiles is to make sure you roll them, rent, beg, borrow or steal a 100lb. roller and roll the devil out of it, that give it a good seal and it won’t come up then. Have fun and again you did a very nice job on the floor.
Great advice, Laura! Thank you again!! -Jenna
Looks just like tile! So cool.
Thanks Lisa!
Oh my gosh. I’m dying. This is AWESOME! Will you please enter this in my Linky party right now so I can feature this project! You rock! Plus, you could win a $5 Starbucks card!
Melody
ChattyChics.com
http://chattychics.com/2012/01/24/need-inspiration-wild-wednesday/
Thank you so much Melody. I just went over to you link party and linked up my project – thanks for sharing the info about your party and for stopping by SAS Interiors! xo Jenna
PS I’m a new follower and am going to Haven too! Hope we get to meet!
This looks fabulous! I had NO IDEA you could grout vinyl tile! In my apartment, I installed the fake-grout vinyl tile, and over time, the “grout” got yucky and was hard to clean. This is genius. Thank you for sharing!
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GREAT tutorial! I wish I had seen this last year when I paid $1K to re-tile a kitchen! (Which was chip & eroded by a renter in a wheelchair). I would love a followup to let us know how the vinyl cleans up & holds up!
Thank you Renee! A followup is a great idea – will do.
Thank you so much for posting this. I have purchased the light marble look with the gray grout from Lowes for my bathroom, but I have been very apprehensive about keeping and installing it. We purchased a different brand of the luxury vinyl tile a few years ago for our other bathroom, but we did not grout it, as the grout was not sold by the store at the time. However, the tile we did put down is a wonderful quality that we are very pleased with. I would not hesitate to use the good quality vinyl tiles now and after reading your post you have answered alot of questions I had. I will use the grout this time. We have a very old house with wood floors and I do not want to go to the expense of ceramic tile only to have it crack. Thank you.
Great job! Interested in doing this to our laundry room that has “hospital white” ceramic. My concern is that it butts up to hardwood and I don’t plan on removing the existing floor. How did your edge come out? Was there a large step up?
The groutable vinyl is fairly thin, so in my situation, there was so no “step”. Adding the tile added only a few centimeters (versus a ceramic tile which is often 1/4″ thick) to the existing floor and now the tile to wood transition is seamless. If you do have a slight level transition, you can add a threshold (something small). At the big box stores, they sell metal or wood thresholds for flooring transitions. I hope that helps! -Jenna
I’m considering doing this as a backsplash in my kitchen? Do you think it would seal well on a vertical surface? And to just a painted wall with minimal texture?
I think as a backsplash it would be okay. I added the groutable vinyl to the toe kick of my bathroom vanity and it’s been fine. You may want to add alittle extra adhesive on the back of the tile before adhering it to the surface for a better adhesion. Good Luck! Jenna
Beautiful job. Would grouted LVT work over a laminate bathroom floor? I’m want the look of ceramic without the cost.
It’s possible to lay the new floor directly on top, but you need to make sure your current floor is in good condition with no cracks or missing tiles. If you have any question about the current floor, I would take it up and start with a new subfloor. -Jenna
I am doing this over my hardwood oak floors. We are currently remodeling and moving my kitchen to my dining room. There was carpet in there and we found the oak floors underneath but as for my kitchen I don’t want the oak flooring. It has been stained but would need to be refinished and and some replaced where we removed a wall. We have put a like a 2×4 down where the wall was. Would we need to put anything down before pealing and sticking the vinyl tile to it??
That’s really difficult to say without seeing the condition of the floor. The wood floor should really be in good condition without any bumps or deep scratches to put the tile directly on top. The tile really needs a flat, solid surface to stick to. If the floor is uneven, the tile might not stick, so you will want to put down a flat sub-floor first. let me know if this helps. -Jenna
Hi Jenna,
My husband and I are renovating our WAY outdated kitchen… the new cabinets are in, the walls are painted and now we are ready to do the floors. We fell in love with the look and price of peel and stick vinyl tiles. We purchased 18″ tiles as the space we need to do is quite large (kitchen and adjoining eating area). My question to you is – can we do 1/4″ grout? Seems all the websites say 1/8″ and we didn’t see anywhere that you can’t do larger… Because of the size of the tiles, I thought a bigger grout line would look better. Would really value your imput. Thanks so much – and thanks for the nice step by step pictures you provided of your parent’s floor. It looks fantastic. We have already done a ‘dry fit’ and decided the brick pattern would look best for our area also! Thanks again,
Judy & Jim
Hi Judy, Thanks so much for reaching out to me and I’m excited that you are venturing forward with this DIY project. With regard to your question about grout size, I would NOT make the grout size any larger than 1/8″ spacing. Even though you are using larger tiles, it does not mean you need a larger grout join. 1/4″ grout joints are quite wide and I truly prefer the largest grout joint to 1/8″. This is just my opinion, of course, on what I’ve used for my tile installations. Please let me know what you decide to do and the result of your floor installation! -Jenna
I just went on a kitchen home tour recently and one kitchen had 18″ tiles with 1/8″ grout lines and it looked superb, so I would agree not to go any wider. Putting floor leveling compound over tile and sheets of 1/4″ plywood over wood floors will make sure you have a smooth surface for the vinyl tile. It will raise the floor level a bit more than just the vinyl tile (I think you meant millimeters, not centimeters, Jenna — a few centimeters would be much more than 1/4″).