Preparation

• 1
  You may need to prepare the floor with a wood underlay.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Read the manufacturer's instructions for your tile, before doing anything.
  
  
• 2). Remove molding and baseboards.
  
  
• 3). Clean the existing floor of varnish, paint, wax, oil or other substances. Patch, fill and sand the floor as needed, for a smooth surface. If the existing floor is in very bad condition, remove it and replace it with a wood subfloor or substrate.
  
  
• 4). Leave the room and the materials at room temperature for 48 hours before starting the project, because heat and cold affect stability. This is very important. If you don't, the material could shrink or expand affecting the final result.
  
  
• 5). Set chalk lines, beginning from the center of the room, after determining the direction the tile will be laid. Typical installation patterns are straight, diagonal or offset.
  
  
• 6). Remove backing on self-stick tiles, as you install each one. Press it firmly into place, guided by your chalk lines.
  
  
• 7). Trim tiles at the wall edges -- around corners and other areas -- with your utility knife. Refer to the manufacturer's guide, if in doubt.
  
  
• 8). Roll the floor in both directions with your 100 pound roller, to eliminate bubbles or humps. This also helps firm and set the tiles.
  
  
• 9). Wipe away any excess adhesive with a damp cloth. Reinstall the baseboards, so they cover the edges of the tile. If moldings and baseboards are in poor condition, replace with new ones