Do I Need to Prime New Wood for Self-Stick Floor Tiles?

Concrete Subfloor Preparation

• Vinyl tile will stick directly to concrete, but it is best to prime the floor first. Sweep it thoroughly to remove any small bits of debris. Prime the floor with a primer that is intended for use on concrete for the best results. Do not use an epoxy sealer because this will make the floor too slick for the tile to adhere properly. Let the primer dry for at least eight hours before installing the tile.

Wood Subfloor Preparation

• A wood subfloor definitely must be primed before using vinyl self-stick tiles. Plywood can also have rough spots that will show through the tile as bumps or ridges after it is installed. Sand the floor until it is completely smooth and then vacuum up all the dust. Prime it with a latex-based primer and let this dry completely for at least eight hours. Sweep the floor again to get up any small pieces of grit.

Cleaning the Subfloor

• Proper cleaning is vital for any subfloor with the installation of self-stick tile. This tile is very thin, and even small pieces of debris will create lumps in it that are impossible to smooth out. Quite often, these lumps are not noticeable unless the light is just right. This means having to replace the tiles affected after you've done the installation. Floors should be cleaned thoroughly and swept prior to installation for the best results.

Other Types of Subfloors

• You can also lay vinyl self-stick tiles on other flooring, such as sheet vinyl and linoleum. With this type of existing flooring, you do not need to prime the surface before installing the tile, but a good cleaning is necessary. For the best results, however, lay a floating subfloor of plywood down over the old flooring and prepare it as noted earlier. This provides a better surface for the tile and prevents ridges and bumps.