How to Tile Over Linoleum Tiles

You can lay tile over linoleum.

You can tile over a linoleum floor instead of ripping up the linoleum first. If your linoleum tiles rest on a cement subfloor, you can lay tiles directly on the linoleum. If your linoleum is on top of a wood subfloor, you need to place cement backerboard on top of the linoleum first to ensure that your floor will be strong enough to support the weight of the tiles, mortar and grout.

Things You'll Need

• Cement backerboard
• Hammer
• Nails
• Carbide-tipped utility knife
• Tiles
• Tile spacers
• Measuring tape
• Chalk line
• Yardstick
• Permanent marker
• Thin-set mortar
• Notched trowel
• Snap cutter
• Grout
• Grout float
• Sponge

Instructions

1. Place cement backerboard on the floor and hammer it to the floor below with nails every 6 inches along the sides of each piece of cement backerboard. If your linoleum tiles are on top of a cement subfloor, skip this step.

2. Lay three tiles on a work surface with tile spacers in between them. Measure the tiles end to end. Mark the floor along each wall in intervals equal to this distance.

3. Snap chalk lines between opposite marks, creating a grid that will assist you in keeping the tiles straight. Trace the chalk lines with a permanent marker using a yardstick as a straight edge.

4. Starting at the most visible corner of the floor, spread thin-set mortar on one section of the grid with a notched trowel. Make grooves in the mortar with the notches on the edge of the notched trowel.

5. Place tiles on the mortar, following the grid lines and placing tile spacers between the tiles. Press the tiles slightly into the mortar. Continue spreading thin-set mortar and laying tiles in this manner until you cover the floor except for the edges that won't hold full tiles.

6. Mark tiles for cutting by dry-laying each tile on the floor overlapping the adjacent tile. Mark the tile in pencil where it overlaps the adjacent tile, and cut it on the markings with a snap cutter. Spread thinset mortar and lay the cut tiles with the cut edges facing the wall. Let the thinset mortar dry overnight.

7. Remove the tile spacers from between the tiles. Spread grout into the spaces between the tiles with a grout float and then scrape up the excess with the edge of the grout float. Use the excess grout to fill the next grout line.

8. Gently press the corner of a damp sponge along the grout lines, creating an even look and depth. Wipe excess grout from the surface of the tiles with a wet sponge. Let the grout dry overnight.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't walk on the floor while the thinset mortar is drying.

References

• "DIY to the Rescue"; Karl Champley and Amy Devers; 2006
• "Taunton's Tiling Complete: Expert Advice From Start to Finish"; Michael Schweit & Robin Nicholas; 2008