The existing floor in the breezeway is painted hardwood. Ricardo. Thanks for your comment! All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Avoid applying leveling compound directly to wood subflooring materials without first employing a bonding agent. Ceramic tile costs are typically between $5 and $10 per square foot—at least twice what linoleum costs—but can last much longer than the 10- to 20-year expected lifespan of a linoleum floor. To learn our Carpentry reviewer’s tricks on using a bonding agent to help the leveling compound last longer, scroll down! Hi Helen – Yes, peel-and-stick tile is designed to be placed over existing surfaces. However, you’ll probably get better results if you install the tile directly over the subfloor or over concrete. Hi Holly, thanks for the good feedback! This problem can be fixed, but it all depends on exactly what kind of uneven subfloor you have. No issues with sticky handprints either — I clean this floor the same way I clean any other tile floors in my house. Any additional use of content on this site must be approved in writing. Stir vigorously to break up lumps, but work quickly. Check it out below. Work your way outward from the interior of the room, ending at the door so you don’t accidentally trap yourself in a corner. floor from the 70’s. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. I know there are concrete sanders and I could probably sand the concrete down but what about the different heights of the linoleum? There are plenty of pros to using peel-and-stick vinyl floor tile: It’s affordable, comes in an array of colors and patterns that tend to resemble actual ceramic tile or hardwood, and it can be installed over many existing surfaces like linoleum, cutting down on the time and mess required for a demolition phase. Hi Krit! like would they leave a dent? you’d have to work around. It shows the glue is for porous services and vinyl is not but some say to use it? They’re literally stickers you put over tiles to change the look, and I believe there are a few brands on the market (like FloorPops) that don’t damage the original flooring. If you’re installing a new floor, skip to checking the level and making a note of where the foundation should be worn down or built up. Allow it to dry and then sand it smooth. I am certain we will use your information when purchasing peel and stick tile for our upcoming kitchen renovation. What is the name of the adhesive you recommend? Hi Kate, I’m thinking of using peel-and-stick tiles for a breezeway/mudroom makeover. A thorough cleaning is also necessary to get the subflooring ready to accept the liquid bonding agent. BCH Flooring Services. The leveler is expensive: I spent more on it than the flooring. I have hampers, laundry baskets and a step stool in our laundry room (where the tiles are) and I’ve never noticed any dents. Good luck! MAPEI Self-Leveler Plus is water-based self leveling floor compound used strictly as underlayment. If it is a concrete sub-floor, you can use a self-levelling compound straight over the concrete then tile over using a 5/16" square notched trowel. If you have linoleum in your space already, know it was installed post-1980, and are feeling ambitious, you might consider using a handheld sheet sander (I know that sounds scary, but I promise you it’s not!) It needs to stick!! (and will it hold up over the sanded hardwood?) Once these materials get on something, they can be nearly impossible to get off. I wonder if different brands of flooring make a difference on the outcome? But as the saying goes, “The more you know…..” And it would’ve been great if I had known everything I shared above before starting my tiling. Would you recommend this in a home full of dogs? I truly appreciate any feed back you can give me and anyone on this site, please feel free to join in..Big hugs…Kimberly. And great point about old tile and asbestos. All of those variables impact the outcome and long-term durability of the project. Quick question, Kate…and thank you for your tips! Trying to save time by not making a template of the floor. Yeah, that sound freaked me out in the beginning as well….but don’t worry, it’ll subside over time. . I’m worried it will not adhere even if I make this new surface for it to sit on. Any advice??? I want to lay the peel and stick tiles over a old vinyl? If you don’t know what your flooring is made of, or if you already know your flooring contains asbestos, DO NOT SAND THE FLOORING. Your peel-and-stick tiles do NOT need to be the same size as your current tiles. And because I love you guys so much, I’m going to share a couple more “nice to knows” with you about using peel-and-stick vinyl floor tile. But guess what? ), The million-dollar question is: “Is peel-and-stick floor tile a good choice?”. We live in a house built in 1928. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 40,081 times. Thanks! Then, pull it up. Does it need to be removed? The John Bridge Tile forums are an excellent resource on everything tile floor including leveling. But I’d caution you about two things: First is the precise cutting it’s going to take to place the tiles around the toilet. What product did the person at Lowe’s recommend? Did you learn anything about this …like is it better than sanding? around moulding, around a toilet base, etc)….I personally found that very challenging. Needless to say, when they filled the hole, it didn’t come out even and the linoleum they cut into of course is at a different levels…There is the height of the linoleum, another height of the backing of the linoleum and the height of the concrete. Depending on the condition of the floor and the thickness of the plank it may not be necessary to use a concrete toppling. Yes, using a blow dryer on the back of the tiles can help the backing come off easily if your tiles (or the area you’re tiling) are very cold. Vinyl tile is definitely durable but it obviously doesn’t have the same weight to it as a ceramic tile, laminate or hardwood does, so making cuts that are done in anything BUT a 90 or 180-degree angle is tough. Using Underlayment. It will be installed in a cabin and will be cold at times. Cutting straight lines is fine, but if you’re tiling a space that requires curved cuts (e.g. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Always take the time to gauge and level your foundation when beginning any new flooring project. Clean the floor thoroughly. For subfloors that are prone to mold and rot, the leveling compound can be applied over a watertight moisture barrier sheet. There are a lot of cuts that would require laser precision, and that might be tough. For cutting around the toilet and tub (since the tub edge was a pattern not straight), I used one of the backer sheets and created a template/pattern that I could mark onto the tile that needed to fit. Fill cracks in concrete subfloor and make sure the filled areas are level before cleaning the subfloor. (Bonus! To remove carpet, cut it into smaller pieces using a razor knife. Hi Liz! Try not to over-apply the compound. I haven’t personally used peel-and-stick tile for a bathroom backsplash, but I know others who have and they seemed to have liked the quality and ease associated with the peel-and-stick variety. Use an underlayment, floor leveler or floor patch product to fix low spots in a wood or concrete subfloor. Perhaps another round of cleaning with a wax remover might be in order. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Making sophisticated cuts to the individual tile pieces — like the ones that might be required if you have to account for molding or a curved toilet base —  aside from simply scoring them in a straight line can get tricky. Light fixture, door knobs. Oh no, Shelly! I just finished installing my tiles (over old linoleum) and was beginning to freak out because of the sound. Once you’ve removed lose or broken pieces, patch the empty sections with a liquid cement or mortar, letting it settle level with the tile floor. (5 cm) thick in one pour and seeks its own level in minutes. Only needed to caulk the edges when done. You can either layer on the new tile without grouting and leaving space in between (I would only recommend this in low-traffic areas that aren’t prone to water), or you can use peel-and-stick tile with grout just as you’d use ceramic tile. It is ready for tile in 24 hours and wood in 48 hours. Do you think applying peel and stick tiles to linoleum backing (after linoleum is pulled up a backing remains on the subfloor – to remove it you must use a heat gun and scrap the backing and adhesive off) would work? Do the peel and stick floors damage the original flooring (I am an apartment renter)? (Our home was built in 1985 and the flooring in the laundry room wasn’t original.) Personally, I think peel-and-stick vinyl tile is a good flooring choice for a mudroom or utility closet that doesn’t yet have existing tile, laminate or hardwood — laying this over concrete would really be ideal. Padding can be used with most floating laminate floor installation. The runny liquid will absorb into the wood, which may cause splitting, leaks, or other severe structural damage. The prettiest peel-and-stick vinyl floor tile projects on Pinterest, How to paint laminate cabinets with chalk paint. Don’t get me wrong: I’m happy with the results in our newly made over laundry room (you can check out the whole DIY laundry room makeover right over here). Have you used peel-and-stick vinyl flooring for a recent project? Hi Rhonda, thanks for stopping by! Floors are rarely perfectly level. (which ours aren’t!). The final requirement for a linoleum subfloor is that it must be completely level to support new self-adhesive tile. Even after scoring my vinyl tile, I had to very carefully snap a single piece of tile into two. You should still run a level across the surface, however, to double-check for gaps or rises. Is Your Subfloor Is In Good Condition? Wear gloves, waders, and old clothing when working with liquid bonding agents and leveling compound. If so, what type? Absolutely great article, giving me ideas about peel and stick vinyl floor tile. Simply mix up the compound, pour it over the subfloor and wait for it to fill in the lowest spots. This quick-setting underlayment can be applied to 2 in. Personally, that’s why I would hesitate about using this kind of tile (and doing it myself) in a bathroom. You could paint them a solid color and then use a floor stencil to mimic the look of real tile. I recently had plumbing issues and they had to jackhammer the floor. Yes, it’s true that peel-and-stick floor tile can be placed right over linoleum. The guy at Lowes told me to get this stuff to roll over the linoleum to create a new surface that will help it bond. And just be aware of any existing molding you’ll have to cut around. The floor has held up really well, it’s been about 17 years. Hi Kimberly — Congrats on your remodel, that sounds like a great project! Copyright 2019 by Kate Dreyer of Kate Decorates. You’d be best served to ask someone at your local hardware store for a recommendation re: grout. Clear any dirt or debris from the floor with a push broom. Everyone’s space is different, but when I laid our peel-and-stick tile, I worked around the washer, dryer and cabinets. Help! I now know i can do this. As long as your subfloor is perfectly level, everything that goes on top of it will be, too. It’s okay if the angle is off by a fraction of an inch in either direction. Keep in mind that “flat” isn’t the same thing as “level.” Minor defects may not be noticeable to the eye, but they will be to your level. You don’t want to accidentally trap yourself in a corner! Self-leveling compound is a cement-based mixture that is applied in a near liquid state. If you’re using peel-and-stick tile as a fix to hide old, outdated linoleum like I was, you’ll quickly discover once you start laying your tiles that the old linoleum is uneven, and perhaps even has nicks or bubbles in some places. Be sure to work your way outward from the interior of the room, ending at the door. If you’ve got a lot of ground to cover, a pair of spiked shoe covers will make it possible to walk back over areas where you’ve already applied the leveling compound. However, the flooring you have already will impact the lifespan and ease of installation when it comes to using peel-and-stick tile. Will it be a trip issue coming from a carpeted living room to the new flooring in the kitchen? We love how it turned out but about 6 months after it was laid we had some glue coming up along the seems in 1 area and now it in about 6 or 7 area’s. In most cases, you’ll only need a layer between. Linoleum is a resilient flooring material, meaning that it compresses and yet bounces back when walked on, giving it a slight cushioning effect. I’d love for you to report back and share your thoughts on it once your project is complete! I did this for the tub, water line and the toilet. I just do not know what type of adhesive and is adhesive the same as primer? You’re correct in that the tiles ARE difficult to cut. About Me Disclosure + Privacy Policy eDesign Services As Seen On Contact Home. If I had to tackle my laundry room flooring project all over again, I would still use peel-and-stick vinyl flooring — so far, it’s proved to be a good choice for our budget and this particular project. This article has been viewed 40,081 times. Curious if anyone has used this for a backsplash or applied to a bathroom wall? You could certainly move/lift up those items in your room, though, to avoid having to make additional tile cuts. It’s like a modpodge basically. Why is that, you ask? I want to use vinyl tiles for the bathroom but I’m concerned about water seeping in under the tiles and loosening the adhesive. I can’t give advice on sanding linoleum tile since I haven’t done it myself, but I bet someone at a flooring store could give you a few tips. Thank you so much for taking the time to post the information about your experience and the helpful tips you included. You can place the peel-and-stick tile directly on top of the linoleum with no additional adhesive. We did an 8 x 10 Landry room plus a small connecting bathroom yesterday and no noise at all when we walked on it? We did self leavening in some spots and went over 1979 linoleum. Reply . If so, what were your thoughts? For my full disclosure policy, click here. However, given the average thickness of the floor, this can only be done once. Then, mix leveling compound according to the instructions on the package in a large bucket. The cold will hamper the adhesion so the glue may help up really well it. A carpeted living room to lay the peel and stick tiles over a old vinyl you are.. A good idea laminate floor padding cost is $ 0.12 to $ (. Haven ’ t have to take the time to educate us out here!!... 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