Three main reasons not to tile on vinyl flooring

Although more and more people are covering their existing flooring, there are many disadvantages. Although you may think that this would save you time, tiling properly on vinyl can compromise the stability and appearance of your ceramic tile. Here are the top three reasons not to tile directly on a vinyl floor.

1. It will not stick well.

The top layer of vinyl is similar to plastic and is very difficult to adhere to. Vinyl shines with an artificial glow and as a base, it is not porous, which means that it is very difficult to get good adhesion. No matter what type of glue you try to apply to vinyl, your tiles will not bond well with vinyl. Some people recommend roughing the vinyl surface for better adhesion, but it's really not an effective method.

Because tiles and vinyl do not stick well, you may get up after laying. If the vinyl begins to lift and push the tile, you may need to replace a section or the entire floor. If you are laying tiles directly on vinyl or linoleum flooring, you may find later that you need to remove the new tile to access the old vinyl because of its uplift and instability. It's probably better to save time, money and hassles by removing it now.

It is important that your new tile is safe and stable, otherwise a direct adhesion to the vinyl will not guarantee it. There is no mortar on the market that adheres to the vinyl surface to the level required for tile installation.

2. It will not be level.

It is much harder to get ground level if you are laying directly on vinyl. You will not be able to determine the anchor pattern when laying tiles on vinyl, which is one of the key factors for a stable, flat floor surface. It will also be difficult to try to insert transitions where the ground is rising or where spaces need to be filled. If you start with a new or existing subfloor, you will get a much more stable and level end result.

3. The sub-surface under the vinyl is not suitable for tiles.

Vinyl flooring is typically installed over 1/4 plywood or particle board. These substrates are not approved for tiles because of a different material composition. If you put the tiles directly on vinyl or linoleum, the safety of your floor will be compromised. Tiles placed on a cushioned floor are very unstable and can cause cracks in tiles or grout. Because the vinyl flexes, it can crack the tile. It is almost impossible to replace a slab with a chip or crack once it is stuck, so you may have to replace the entire floor in the future because of the heaving and bending of the vinyl.

If you want to leave your vinyl down, you have to prepare the floor structurally for the tiles. You will need to screw the old vinyl, then create a mortar base using mesh and concrete. If you do not want to pour cement, you can lay a subfloor plywood. There are products on the market that increase the crack resistance of tiles placed on wooden basements. This method is not very different from the lifting of the vinyl. It may seem like a lot of work right now, but taking your time and doing it right now will save you a lot of time and money.

If you are still determined to keep your vinyl on the floor, consider using a professional tile installer. They can review all the pros and cons with you and examine your specific situation.