People are slowly rediscovering the natural, long-lasting, and low-maintenance benefits of linoleum floors again. When it comes to the appearance of your home, new flooring may make all the difference.
It can create a crisp, modern aesthetic that works well with the rest of your decor. Linoleum is an easy-to-maintain flooring option for the kitchen or bathroom as an alternative to hardwood or laminate.
Before putting down linoleum in your kitchen or bathroom, you must first prepare the tile floor. Linoleum can be installed over tile, however.
Can You Put Linoleum Over Tile Floors?
Laminate can be installed on top of tile without being able to remove the previous flooring. It’s an excellent choice for various applications because it’s adaptable, long-lasting, and lively.
To avoid bumps and ridges from appearing through the linoleum finish and harming the flooring’s quality, it is necessary to use a subfloor with an underlayment.
If you are working on a tile floor, you may easily install linoleum as a DIY project by making a few changes to the plywood.
Benefits Of Laying Vinyl Floor Over Tile
Because ceramic tiles are securely affixed to the ground, removing them may be time-consuming and untidy, not to mention exhausting.
While power tools can be used to remove tiles and grout, this can frequently leave a bumpy or divot-filled surface, necessitating additional hand labor to level it out before installing vinyl flooring.
However, removing the tile will actually require more time and effort than installing vinyl over the top of the tile.
Type Of Vinyl Flooring You Can Use
In terms of insulation, vinyl flooring installed over tile is an excellent choice because it is so thin. The ceramic subfloor beneath provides additional padding, making the surface much more comfortable to walk on.
However, this has drawbacks, the most prevalent of which is a rise in the height of the floor. However, if you’re adding vinyl planks, you’ll run into this issue.
You won’t have to worry about this if you go with tile or sheet flooring, which both raise the floor slightly. You may have to make your doors shorter and undertake other complex processes in order to maintain everything working correctly with elevated floors.
Additionally, transition strips may be required along the vinyl’s edge where it meets another floor. Also, remember that most tile floors now come equipped with radiant heating, which helps to keep the floors warm in the winter.
Your selections for vinyl flooring may be limited if your home is equipped with this system. For example, glued-down vinyl tiles or sheets should not be used in homes with radiant heating systems.
Due to the glue becoming softer from exposure to high temperatures, vinyl is more likely to deform or wear out sooner. Floating vinyl planks are recommended for flooring with radiant heating, provided that the temperature of the floor does not rise above 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Preparation Is The Key
Your subfloor needs to be thoroughly prepared before you begin the installation. Depending on the depth of the grout lines and the type of floor being installed, the amount of floor preparation required will vary.
Any flaw in a ceramic tile would be clearly obvious because vinyl sheets and tiles are so thin. To hide imperfections in the subfloor, click-lock boards have a firm or semi-rigid core.
It’s possible that the planks will come apart if they’re installed on a floor with big, deep grout lines. For example, most bathrooms use half-inch ceramic tiles with very thin grout lines and don’t require any special preparation before installing vinyl plank flooring.
While applying vinyl tiles or sheets, ensure sure the grout lines are even before applying any adhesives. The grout lines between large tiles like terra cotta commonly used in patios are usually rather deep.
Before putting down any form of vinyl flooring, be sure that these are covered.
Process Of Laying Linoleum Flooring Over Tile
Removal of the Toilet: Make sure to turn off the toilet’s water shutoff valves if you’re doing a restroom floor. Take out the water hoses.
Screws anchoring the toilet to the floor need to be removed. Ascend the toilet seat. Drain the surplus water from the toilet and put it in the shower or tub.
In the shower or bathtub, lay a plastic sheet over the toilet to protect it from water damage.
Clean & Level The Tile Floor
Before beginning any renovations on your floor, make sure it is free of any furniture. Begin with the floor mopping to eliminate any dust or other contaminants that may be lurking there.
Focus on the most fragile parts of your home: corners and tile edges. Allowing the floor to sit in the room for at least 24 hours before installing it is recommended by several flooring experts.
The reasoning is that linoleum flooring is particularly susceptible to temperature changes, and if installed too quickly, the changes may have an impact on its long-term endurance.
In some cases, you may also need to remove the baseboards before installing your new floor. A flatbed screwdriver, putty knife, and pry knife are the most effective instruments for this task.
The walls must also be protected. Because of the common occurrence of uneven tile surfaces, the final look of your flooring will be diminished. Before you begin any flooring renovations, make sure the floor is level.
When handling tile lines on a broad surface, using a floor leveling compound is a good idea. You can also use a sander, grinder, or other tools to level the tile surface for a flat, rough floor.
Measure, Mark, & Cut
Before beginning any work on your linoleum floor, it’s essential to figure out how much material you’ll need. It’s a good idea to sketch out your room, then measure the perimeter and mark it on the floor with a pencil.
A water-based highlighter can be used to make detailed lines on linoleum. Having a minimum of 1-inch margin of mistakes is recommended to account for any unaccounted for mistakes.
Moreover, trimming a much larger area is considerably easier than adding additional pieces to make a shorter area larger. Cut along the designated surface using a sharp blade.
Linoleum is a flexible and easy-to-slice substance, making it ideal for precise cutting. A utility knife works just as well as a hooked linoleum knife.
Fill The Cracks
Cover your cupboards, tub or shower, and baseboards using painter’s tape and newspaper. Grout powder and water are combined in a smaller tub to create a ready-to-use grout.
Mix it until the grout is wet, thick, and spreadable. Using a grout float, cover the entire floor with the grout. According to Bless’er House, the grout lines should be filled in all the way to the tile’s surface.
You may also use the grout to fill in any holes or gaps. Work your way toward the door, beginning at the farthest point from it. Your new floor will show any bumps, dips, or deviations in smoothness. Allow 48 hours for the grout to dry.
Remove Debris
Re-vacuum the floor to remove any remaining grout grit. Using 80-grit sandpaper, lightly sand any imperfections on the floor.
Laying Linoleum
Cover your tiled floor with linoleum. It’s easy for most renovators because most linoleum suppliers roll out their products in 6- to 12-foot lengths.
Before you begin installing the flooring, double-check that it is put on precisely according to the specifications. Your new flooring should be installed in a flat area before you begin.
Linoleum flooring is susceptible to uneven surfaces, which can have a negative impact on your work’s quality. Each component should be placed with care.
When working with linoleum flooring, you must take extra care not to rip or cause creases on the surface. To flatten the floor and the walls, use a 2 by 4 piece of straight wood.
Corners and other uneven areas of your room can benefit from using a 45° piece plank.
Trim & Apply Adhesive
Cut the tiles around obstructions. Placing the backing tile next to the obstruction, with one edge aligned with a seam or wall, will help you get around it.
Perpendicular seams and walls are ideal for measuring obstacles. Get a compass and use it to measure distances. And then, draw a line parallel to the obstruction and transfer the shape to paper using the pencil.
Replicate on the other side of the barrier. Use scissors to cut out the design and then put it to the test on the obstacle. To get a great fit, fine-tune the sizing.
Trace around the tile with a permanent marker using the paper as a template. Cut the tile to size and proceed with the installation as usual. Once you’ve finished tiling the entire room, stop.
Ensure Straight Edges With Chalk
Using a new piece of chalk, draw a new outline for your project. Using the largest wall in your room as a reference point, mark where you want your chalk line to be.
Two tile lengths from the doorway make a second chalk line. Remove the masking tape and paper from your face.
Reinstallation Of The Toilet
Remove the old wax ring and install a new one. Attach the hoses and install the toilet over the linoleum. Use a bathroom caulk that is resistant to mildew to caulk around the toilet’s base, tub or shower, and baseboard and cupboards. Using a wet rag and your finger, smooth off the caulk.
Seal & Finish
It’s time to put the finishing touches on your new floor after making sure it’s ready. When removing air bubbles, a heavy roller could be helpful.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for removing any excess solvent. A linoleum seal can also be used to achieve a glossy surface. Do not disturb the floor for at least 24 hours after applying thin layers.
Final Verdict
Refurbishing worn-out ceramic tiles are as simple as installing vinyl flooring on top of them. It’s not just that it’s easy to put together, but that the tiles beneath it provide additional insulation.
Vinyl planks, tiles, and sheets can be installed on a ceramic floor. However, we suggest using tiles or sheets instead because those are thin and don’t enhance the floor’s height as planks do.
Before putting in your new floor, take care to clean and fill the tile grout lines. All the best.
