How to Lay Vinyl Tile on Linoleum

Vinyl tile can be safely installed over old linoleum.

Many old linoleum floors contain asbestos and are not safe to remove. These tiles may be old, dirty or just look out of date, which means covering them with another flooring is the only option. Vinyl tiles are an ideal product to install over linoleum, since vinyl is relatively thin and does not use a thick mortar bed. The installation is fairly simple for a do-it-yourselfer.

Things You'll Need

• Cleaning supplies
• Vinyl tile cutter
• Vinyl tile adhesive
• Trowel or adhesive applicator
• Vinyl tile roller

Instructions

1. Clean the old linoleum tile well. Remove wax, grease, dust, dirt or debris that could interfere with the bond between the new and old tiles. Check the old floor as you clean it, and make sure there are no loose or curling tiles. The vinyl will bond to the linoleum, which must in turn be well-bonded to the substrate for the tile job to hold.

2. Lay out the vinyl tiles directly on top of the linoleum without adhesive to determine the proper layout of the tiles and make necessary cuts. Lay the first tile in the center of the wall furthest from the door and the next tiles out to the sides evenly. This will give you a balanced installation. Take care to completely cover the old linoleum tiles right up to the edges of the room.

3. Cut the tiles edging the room to fit with a vinyl tile cutter. Place the tile in the cutter with the area you wish to be cut lined up with the blade. Push the handle of the blade down in a smooth motion to make a straight cut through the vinyl.

4. Spread a small amount of adhesive over the linoleum to begin installing the vinyl tiles. Some adhesives will be spread over the linoleum in a thin layer with a trowel. Others will be squeezed from a tube in an X pattern beneath each tile; follow the manufacturer's recommendations for adhesive application.

5. Press each tile into the adhesive in the layout pre-determined. Once the tiles have been set, push a vinyl tile roller over the tiles to help the tiles bond to the adhesive and the old linoleum.

Tips & Warnings

• Rent vinyl tile cutters and rollers at most hardware stores.

References

• The Family Handyman: Vinyl Floor Tile
• Ask the Builder: Tips to Install Vinyl Floor Tiles