Can Luxury Vinyl Tile Be Installed Over a Vinyl Floor?
Luxury vinyl tiles are a huge step up in quality over the old peel-and-stick variety of vinyl tile flooring, with long-term warranties that attest to their strength and durability.
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Size and Appearance
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Square tiles can be grouted to mimic ceramic, and they come in 8-by-8-inch or 16-by-16-inch sizes for an elegant look. Plank tiles provide the appearance of wood and are usually available in 4-by-36-inch or 5-by-48-inch lengths.
Features
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Intended for residential and light commercial use, luxury vinyl tiles are composed of a durable, limestone core and covered with a layer of vinyl. The product is topped with a coating of aluminum oxide, which is treated for wear resistance.
Sub-Floor Considerations
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If the existing vinyl floor was laid properly, is in good condition and was not installed over another floor, you can install limestone-core tiles over top. Level the surface first, using the manufacturer-recommended embossment filler. Luxury vinyl tiles require a flat, smooth surface.
Expert Insight
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While installing over vinyl sheet flooring is possible, it's far from ideal, particularly for light commercial use. For best results, staple down 1/4-inch-thick panels of a guaranteed underlayment, such as Fiberock, and install luxury vinyl tiles over top.
Warning
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Never attempt to remove vinyl sheet flooring without consulting experts first. Many of these floors contain asbestos, and removal presents a substantial health risk.
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References
- Photo Credit texture of wooden floor - can be used as background image by Elnur from Fotolia.com
