How To Install Ceramic Tiles Over Linoleum

Installing ceramic tile over vinyl or linoleum surfaces can be more complicated than expected and probably should be avoided whenever possible.

How to install ceramic tiles over linoleum.

Take care to choose a tile whose thickness is not going to create a problem and choose a tile that is rated for floor use. This means laying out the linoleum tiles and marking with a pencil where they will need to be cut. If your linoleum is. However if you can t remove the old surface or otherwise decide to install over it lay a backer board with thin set over the old surface to serve as your new subfloor material.

You can tile directly over asbestos with new tile including ceramic tile. This isn t possible with every flooring material but it s often possible to install ceramic porcelain or stone tile over resilient flooring including standard sheet vinyl vinyl tile or linoleum. Once the tile is leveled off your next step is to remove the toilet so that the floor can be laid under it not cut around it. Next if the tile s joints are deep you ll want regrout them to bring them flush with the tile so that the lines won t telegraph show through the vinyl floor.

Only once this is done should you apply the adhesive to the subfloor. Vinyl flooring is a great idea one of the main problems you encounter when installing new flooring over old flooring is the increase in the height of the floor surface but this is less of a problem if you choose vinyl. So where feasible it makes sense to install the new flooring directly over the old without removing the old flooring. You can definitely install vinyl flooring over ceramic tile but you may have to spread leveling compound or lay plywood or hardboard to flatten the floor first.

Install ceramic tile over asbestos. The edges will be cleaner if you place the tiles edge to edge and the slide them apart to create the correct spacing. When you re ready to install tile over linoleum a thin layer of mortar should be spread over the floor s surface with a flat edged trowel. After the thin layer has dried which should take about 30 minutes use a notched trowel to add a second layer over the first layer taking care to create even ridges over the surface.

When you have finished use a utility knife to cut the linoleum against the wall as needed. Tile needs a firm hard inflexible substrate.