What Is Groutable Vinyl Tile? How to Install Groutable Vinyl Tiles | Pros & Cons Groutable Vinyl Tiles

What Is Groutable Vinyl Tile| How to Install Groutable Vinyl Tiles | Pros & Cons Groutable Vinyl Tiles | Drawbacks Of Groutable Vinyl Tile

What Is Groutable Vinyl Tile?

Groutable vinyl tile is a type of flooring that can be installed in areas where it is not desirable or possible to have grout between the tiles.

The material is typically thinner than traditional vinyl and has an adhesive back, making it easy to install.

Groutable tiles are typically made of a mix of vinyl and rubber. Groutable tiles are designed with a textured backing which makes them easier to maintain than other types of vinyl tile.

Groutable tiles are also a little more expensive than other types of vinyl tile.

How Do You Grout Groutable Vinyl Tiles?

Installing groutable vinyl tiles is very similar to installing traditional vinyl tile, with a few minor differences.

The following steps will show you how to install groutable tile properly and show you how to grout it if your installer does not do it for you:

To grout groutable vinyl tiles, you will need:

• A bucket or bowl for water
• A trowel or sponge for wiping
• A box of tile grout
• Tools to remove adhesive film from the back of the tiles if they have it
• Latex gloves (optional)
• Aplastic squeegee (optional)
• A razor knife or utility knife for cutting the tiles if they have an adhesive that comes on them
• An old toothbrush to clean grout lines
• Water-soluble tape (optional)
• A squeegee if you use tile grout
• A blow dryer to dry the grout
• A flat board for the tiles to sit on so they don’t stick together
• A large utility knife to cut the tiles if they have adhesives on them
• A wet sponge or rag with water and mild dish soap if your tiles have tough grout lines or lose tile
• A spray bottle of water and dish soap if your tiles have tough grout lines or lose tile
• White vinegar as a cleaning agent
• Aluminum foil to wrap the wet sponge or rag
• A plastic bag
• Paper towels for wiping your tools
• Non-skid plastic mats for protecting the floor if you have vinyl tile on a carpeted floor
• An old toothbrush and toothpaste for cleaning the grout lines in between tiles
• Thin plastic tape such as duct tape to cover the grout lines if they are not white color
• Latex gloves (optional)

To Grout Groutable Vinyl Tiles

To grout groutable vinyl tiles, these are the steps:

1.) Prepare the subfloor

Remove all dirt, debris and loose particles from the subfloor where you are going to put your tile, using a spade shovel or a broom.

Being mindful to keep the groutable tiles you are going to install in the same location you glued them down on.

With putty knife, scrape away any old glue or other material from the subfloor to produce a clean, flat area for installing the vinyl floor.

2. Begin Laying the Tiles

Lay out the first row of tiles without gluing them to the floor, starting in one corner of the room. Remove the paper from the back of the first tile and stick the adhesive side of the tile to the floor once you’re satisfied with how it fits against the edge of the wall.

3. Install the rest of the Tiles

Place spacers along the tile’s edge and a second tile next to the first. Work in a pattern and keep the tiles straight.

You’ll have to cut some of the tiles where they don’t fit against the wall. Cut them with a utility knife or razor blade. Make sure you leave a gap for grout between each tile.

4. Remove Adhesive Film

Some vinyl tiles are sold with an adhesive film on one side; remove this before using them.

5. Mix and Apply Grout to the Tiles

If you have a bucket, mix the grout in that. If you’re using a spoon, mix it in a bowl on your work surface.

Wipe the grout over the tiles with a sponge or trowel until all of them are covered with a thin layer of grout.

7. Remove Excess Grout

Clean off the grout from the tiles with a wet sponge.

8. Use a Razor Blade or Utility Knife to Cut Tiles

If any of your tiles have adhesive on them, use a razor blade or utility knife to cut around the edges of the tile(s). Use just enough pressure to cut through the adhesive.

9. Let the Grout Set

Let the grout set for at least an hour. You can speed up this process by using a blow dryer to dry the grout.

10. Remove Tile Spacers

After an hour, remove all the tile spacers.

11. Spread Grout Between Tiles with a Spatula or Sponge

If you have groutable tile, clean a small section of grout between two tiles on your work surface and mix up some more of the same color grout you used before.

12. Remove Excess Grout

Leaving a gap between the tiles, use a dry cloth to wipe off any grout that has spread over the edges of the tiles. Fill any other gaps between your groutable vinyl tiles with regular grout.

13. Use the Sponge to Clean Between Tiles

Use a sponge and water solution or brush with soap and water to clean each of the grout lines until they are clear of excess grout.

14. Allow Grout to Dry for 24 Hours

Leave the tiles in place for 24 hours to allow the grout to dry.

15. Use a Plastic Squeegee to Clean the Vinyl Tiles

Wipe down the tiles with a wet sponge and a mild dish detergent solution. Let them dry for at least two hours, and then use a plastic squeegee to clean off any debris or excess water left behind.

What Are the Benefits of Groutable Vinyl Tile?

1. Groutable vinyl tiles are tiles that are usually installed in bathrooms or kitchens, and they are popular for the reason that they are durable, making it easy to clean and conserve water. This type of tile is waterproof, and it is resistant to mold as well.
2. Groutable vinyl tiles are easy to install, and there are very few glues used in the process. This makes it easy to fix if you need to replace a cracked or broken tile because the material will not dry out and lose its adhesive properties unlike other tile products.
3. Groutable vinyl tiles are easy to clean; all you need is a small amount of mild detergent and a sponge to scrub away dirt, grime, or water spots.
4. It is very easy to cut, paint, and glue groutable tiles. This means that a homeowner can easily customize their bathroom according to their tastes and preferences by a simple dry brushing or painting the walls with regular latex paint.
5. Groutable tile is not as slippery as some other types of tiles out there.
6. Groutable vinyl tiles are available in a wide variety of colors, giving homeowners a chance to experiment and try something new in the bathroom or kitchen by changing the color scheme.

What Are Some of The Drawbacks Of Groutable Vinyl Tile?

1. Although groutable vinyl tiles are easy to clean, they do require regular maintenance more than other types of tiles. This is because if regular cleaning and care are not given, groutable tiles tend to look dull and lose their color.
2. Groutable tiles may be more expensive than other types of tiles, but it is worth the investment as you will not need to replace it after several years. If you take proper care of groutable vinyl tiles, you can use them for up to 20 years or more.
3. Groutable tiles are not as slip resistant as other types of tiles. This is because the vinyl used in groutable tiles is thinner and softer than other tile. So, if you have children around the house, groutable tiles may be a risk to small children who might accidentally fall on them and get hurt.

Groutable Vinyl Tile Pros And Cons

Groutable Vinyl Tile Pros

Here are some pros and cons of  groutable vinyl tiles;

Groutable tile installation is quick and simple

Installation of groutable tile is relatively simple. It involves laying out the tiles, cutting any tiles with leftover edges, cleaning the excess grout off them, and letting the grout set for a day or two.

Groutable Tiles are easy to remove

If you need to remove a groutable tile down the road or if you have laid down too many of them and wish to correct your mistake it is fairly easy to do so by using a chisel or a putty knife.

Groutable vinyl tile may be laid right on top of existing tile

Groutable vinyl tile may be laid right on top of existing tile so you can save money by not having to rip out any tile floors in your house.

Vinyl tile is easy to maintain.

Groutable vinyl tile has a non-slip surface. It does not require sealing with glue as groutable tile does. Only occasional cleaning should be necessary to keep it looking clean and free of dirt, dust, and debris.

 Groutable tile is durable and long lasting

Vinyl grout is a strong, yet flexible material that can withstand heavy traffic in well-made vinyl groutable tile installation areas.

Groutable tile is not hard and cold

In addition to its appearance and longevity, vinyl tile is warm, strong, and comfortable underfoot, unlike most other types of floor tile.

It is ideal for a family with little children and is gentle on your back when standing for lengthy periods of time. It is also quieter, making it appropriate for modern open-plan homes or upstairs condominiums.

Groutable Vinyl Tile Cons

Groutable vinyl tiles are expensive

Groutable vinyl tiles while being easy to lay down and inexpensive to remove may be difficult for some people to afford given their higher price than traditional interlocking vinyl tiles.

While old tiles are cheap, new groutable vinyl tiles about $3.50 to $12.00 per square foot.

Groutable vinyl tiles are not for every house and every interior

Groutable vinyl tile may not be the best choice for every house, particularly homes with more of a country feel or those that have a unique design to them.

It is also not ideal if you are looking to lay down groutable vinyl tile in an area where you are going to need pivot or move furniture around frequently.

Vinyl tile’s edges tend to lift

Groutable vinyl tile’s edges tend to lift, particularly if you are laying them down on a sloped surface.

You may be able to get around this by putting down one layer of tiles and then using a bead of groutable adhesive across the top to secure the tiles.

Groutable tile is not as durable as traditional interlocking vinyl tile

Groutable tile is not as durable as traditional interlocking vinyl tile. You will need to replace your groutable vinyl tile every few years, or once every two to three years if you are careful not to leave any behind.

Groutable tile is a soft, flexible surface that may be damaged

Groutable tile is a soft, flexible surface that may be damaged so it is preferable for you to have it installed by professionals.

 Groutable Vinyl Tiles Faqs

Are groutable vinyl tiles as good as other types of tiles?

Groutable vinyl tile is a waterproof, durable, and affordable flooring option for any room in the home.

It not only protects the floor against spills and accidents, it also provides a smooth surface to clean with the vacuum.

Groutable vinyl tile comes in a variety of styles, including tile-inlay, mosaic, and herringbone. It is easy to install and can be cut to any size.

Are Groutable vinyl tiles good?

Groutable vinyl tile is excellent at protecting homes and providing a durable flooring option for any room in the home.

The tiles are waterproof, stain-resistant, and available in a variety of styles to match your existing décor.

Do Groutable vinyl tiles have an advantage over other types of flooring?

Groutable vinyl tile offers the homeowner more versatility than other types of flooring.

You can install groutable vinyl tile right on top of old tiles, or in areas where you cannot remove the old vinyl tiles.

You can also lay down groutable vinyl tile on a steep incline without having to put down a baseboard.

What are the benefits of groutable vinyl tile?

Groutable vinyl tile is an affordable flooring option for any room in the home. It is water-resistant and durable, allowing you to protect it from spills and accidents with ease.

Groutable vinyl tile comes in a variety of styles, including tile-inlay, mosaic, and herringbone. It is easy to install and can be cut to any size.

Are Groutable vinyl tiles different from regular vinyl tiles?

Groutable vinyl tiles are a type of pre-surfaced flooring that comes with a groutable layer already attached to the back, so all you need to do is prep and lay them down on your subfloor or even over existing tiles.

They are similar to regular vinyl tiles but are thicker and don’t require glue for installation. They come in a variety of colors, sizes and styles to match your existing interior design.

How do I lay down groutable vinyl tiles?

Groutable vinyl tiles are easy to lay down as long as you follow the instructions carefully. You can install them directly on top of existing tile or other flooring; however, it is recommended that you use a baseboard when installing on a steep incline.

Once you’ve covered the area, apply a bead of groutable adhesive along the length of the tile and then press it into place.

Clean up any areas around the tiles with a damp cloth after they have cured for 1 to 2 days.

Groutable vinyl tile installation is effortless.

The natural grain pattern and color of these tiles will blend in perfectly with your existing décor, increasing its value in your home and making it the perfect flooring option for both traditional and modern homes.

It’s also simple to install, as you only need a basic toolkit and some time, so you can fit it into your busy schedule.

Groutable vinyl tiles are waterproof and stain-resistant, lasting for years to come with no maintenance or polishing required.

Groutable vinyl tile is a tile that comes with grout already attached to the back of it..

What are some alternatives to groutable vinyl tiles?

Some of the other types of floor/wall tiles include Ceramic Tiles, Porcelain Tiles, Glass Tiles, Slate Tiles and Terrazzo Tiles.

What is the cost of groutable vinyl tiles per square foot?

The cost of groutable vinyl tile per square foot varies depending on the size, style and color that you choose. The average cost to install vinyl flooring is $3 to $12 per square foot. There are a few factors that affect the price.

What are the advantages of using groutable vinyl tiles?

1. Groutable tiles are easy to clean

Groutable vinyl tile’s porous surface is perfect for cleaning and maintaining it. You can also use it for different flooring options such as plank or wood panel, or even a floating floor type.

2. Look great in any room

The natural grain pattern and color of these tiles will blend in perfectly with your existing décor. Choose from a variety of colors and styles to create the perfect look for your home.

3. Easy to maintain

You can use groutable vinyl tile in both traditional or modern homes. It’s also simple to install, as you only need a basic toolkit and some time, so you can fit it into your busy schedule.

4. Strong and durable

Groutable vinyl tile is strong and durable, protecting your floors from damage caused by spills or accidents. It’s waterproof and stain-resistant, lasting for years to come with no maintenance or polishing required.

5. Easy to clean

The natural grain pattern and color of these tiles will blend in perfectly with your existing décor. Choose from a variety of colors and styles to create the perfect look for your home.