You’re tired of looking at that outdated vinyl or linoleum flooring in your home or commercial space, and you’re ready for something new. But the question is—do you need to remove old linoleum flooring before laying tile?
A beautiful tile floor would be a huge improvement, and you have your eye on some ceramic or vinyl tile flooring that would really pop. You may wonder if you can tile over linoleum or if you have to rip it out and start fresh.
The short answer is yes—you can tile over linoleum flooring.
Before you start laying ceramic tiles over your outdated linoleum flooring, there are a few things that you need to know.
How Old Is the Linoleum?
Sheet linoleum floors and tiles made before 1990 often contain asbestos, a known cancer-causing agent. If this is the case in your home or building, it’s best to install tile over linoleum rather than attempting to remove it. Laying vinyl or ceramic tile over existing flooring keeps these chemicals from spreading and contaminating the air around your home.
What Condition Is the Linoleum In?
When laying vinyl tile or ceramic tile, the end result is solely based on where you start. A linoleum floor that’s in excellent condition is a perfect foundation for new tile flooring. However, if the old flooring is cracked, uneven, or missing pieces, you’ll have to repair it to create a smooth surface before you install luxury vinyl tile or ceramic tile.
How Solid Is the Linoleum Floor?
If the linoleum isn’t firmly attached to the subfloor, any tile you install on top of it won’t be secure either. The existing flooring can shift or buckle over time, causing the tiles on top to crack or shift as well. Additionally, the grout lines between the tiles may crack or become uneven due to movement in the linoleum below.
To ensure a successful tile installation, ensure you have a solid, stable subfloor. This means that any old linoleum must be secured and free from any damage or imperfections. That’s not to say tiling over unstable flooring can’t be done; it just adds more work to the project.
Is the Linoleum Floor Cushioned?
Over time, any cushioned backing under the linoleum gets compressed, allowing dents and imperfections to show through. If you’re considering installing traditional porcelain, ceramic, or natural stone tiles, a cushioned linoleum base won’t provide the stability it needs.
What Options Are There for Tiling over Linoleum?
Here are a few options to consider when you plan to tile over linoleum flooring. There are a multitude of styles, colors, and materials available. As an alternative to natural materials, you can choose linoleum or sheet vinyl flooring that mimics their natural counterparts.
Forbo MCT Tile
Marmoleum by Forbo linoleum tiles are chemical-free, eco-friendly bio-based flooring options. It’s not only beautiful, but it’s also sustainable and safe for the health. There are more than 300 tile colors and 9 unique structures to choose from.
It’s generally recommended for commercial spaces, but it would also be perfect for your home.
Armstrong Alterna
Like all of Armstrong’s luxury vinyl tiles, it’s hard to tell if the Alterna tiles are natural materials or manufactured. The engineered stone construction makes luxury vinyl tile flooring easy to clean and maintain.
Not only that, but this type of vinyl flooring is also durable enough to withstand even the heaviest traffic, even in a commercial space.
Chesapeake Tile Flooring
If you prefer a more conventional tile, consider the options that Chesapeake Flooring offers. Glass, porcelain, ceramic, and mosaic styles are all available. Whether you like a natural stone look or something a bit more modern and updated, this is the perfect floor for you.
It’s also easy to maintain and highly durable, a perfect replacement for old linoleum or old vinyl flooring.
Marazzi Tile
Porcelains, glazed ceramics, glass mosaics, natural stones, and metallic tiles are all part of the Marazzi USA collection.
If you want a high-end look while remaining eco-friendly, these tiles are worth a look. You’ll love how easy they are to maintain and how they elevate the appearance of any space.
Shop Online for Tile Flooring and Save More
When you’re ready to start your new flooring project, visit Floor City for the best flooring selection and prices. Whether that’s linoleum, hardwood, carpet tile, or vinyl flooring, we’re available to answer your questions or offer expert advice.
Just call us at (888) 868-5002 or click the Chat Now link to talk to one of our flooring experts.
