How to Lay Laminate Tile Effects for Flooring

Tile effects are fake tiles made of vinyl and manufactured to mimic the look of traditional styles of tile, such as ceramic or marble. Tile effects are a form of floating floor; the pieces are not glued or nailed down, but merely connect to one another to form the floor. Tiles effects are a quick and attractive flooring option.

Hammer
Pry bar
Floating faux-ceramic vinyl tiles
Spacers
Tape measure
Carpenter's square
Utility knife
Trim nailer

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the trim from the edges of the floor, prying it away with your hammer and prybar. Don't break it. Set it aside.
- 2
  Lay the first laminate tile in one corner of the floor, with spacers between the tile and the two walls.
- 3
  Set a second tile next to the first, again putting spacers between the tile and the wall. Connect the edges of the two tiles to one another by the fittings for that particular system of flooring.
- 4
  Continue laying and connecting the tiles off one another, all along the wall, fitting them by their edges.
- 5
  Use your razor knife and square to cut the final tile in the row, running the knife alongside the square to score the vinyl surface, then bending it until it snaps. Lay the tile with the cut side facing the wall.
- 6
  Lay the second row of tiles in the same way, locking the edges together with the first row. Continue row by row, working your way across the room, cutting the end tiles as necessary.
- 7
  Cut the final row of tiles as needed to fit along the far wall, leaving a 3/8-inch space between the wall and the tiles.
- 8
  Put the floor trim back in, using your trim nailer to secure it. The trim should cover the spaces around the perimeter.

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