Installing Flooring Over Linoleum

Sanding and leveling your floor.

Installing flooring over linoleum. Laying linoleum over linoleum is possible with the right preparation. This is best left to professionals unless you have experience. Your floor needs to be flat and level for the best vinyl flooring. Applied with a straightedge trowel the embosser will create a smooth surface to support the new floor.

If the linoleum is in good shape. In some cases vinyl flooring can be installed over an existing floor. In other situations you ll need to remove the old floor before work can begin. Though linoleum is fairly easy to install compared to more expensive alternatives it can present unique challenges for those inexperienced in home.

Removing old linoleum is a messy daunting task. You ll need to cut the linoleum tiles to fit and use their own adhesive or material with adhesive backing to attach them to your floor securely. Underlayment isn t needed if the existing linoleum is flat and smooth. If you can t remove your old linoleum floors due to asbestos or other problems consider laying a new tile right on top.

Linoleum or vinyl flooring. The main caveat is that all vinyl formats call for a smooth subfloor including sheet vinyl vinyl tile and luxury vinyl planks and tiles. These flooring materials widely used for their affordability water tightness and durability are generally installed by securing them over an existing floor or subfloor with strong adhesive. If the grout lines in the ceramic tile are deep you ll see and feel them under sheet flooring and if you choose to install preglued vinyl tiles they won t stick.

If the conditions and materials are right however you can avoid this difficult job by installing new flooring over the existing linoleum. How to install vinyl floors over linoleum. So where feasible it makes sense to install the new flooring directly over the old without removing the old flooring. A good quality vinyl floor is thick enough to be installed without an underlayment which will only raise the level of the floor and give you headaches around built in vanities heat registers baseboards and other areas.

Sheet vinyl can be laid over old linoleum or vinyl flooring if the existing floor is in good condition.