can you tile over linoleum floor?

Question

Rather than ripping it up can you tile over it?

Answer 1

That is a very BAD idea.....it will appear at first that it will stay but because the linoleum has a slippery finish the tile and grout will loosen over a short time.......what you can do is to install dura-rock or wonderboard over then linoleum and then install the tile...one thing if you don't have a concrete floor you need to install the dura-rock or wonder board anyways...If you have anymore questions you can contract me at [e-mail]

Answer 2

I checked with Home Dept and yes you can tile over vinyl flooring . Linoleum is a special flooring made from linseed oil , I believe you have vinyl.

You will need to secure the floor with hardi or concrete board with screws at each screw mark on the facing of the board. Tape and mud the seams where the boards butt up. be sure the screws do not sit above the board.

Now you have a hard,flat, gray surface to work with.

lay out you tile for the best appearance. One row in each direction will show the best lay out. You want the field to be full tiles and the perimeter to have any cut tile where they won't be noticed. The edge should not be less than 1/3 of the tile otherwise there is not enough adherance surface. Be sure to take your time and use a bubble level 3 tiles long to get a flat surface with the adjacent tiles.. The thin set mortar should be applied per instructions and spacing is important for the clean grout line. Check for tile orientation as described by the manufacturer.

That's how I did mine 7 years ago..

Answer 3

The lino needs to come up. The tile requires a stable sturdy underlayment or it will crack and crumble. Linoleum would shift under tile like tectonic plates eventually erupting with temperature changes and vibrations from heavy and light weight people walking on it.
The neighbors put tile in a mobile home bathroom and its like gravel in there now. They took up the lino and didn't use a floor leveler or lay secure the sub floor.
I suggest you go to Home Depot or a store like it that gives how-to classes and see what your needs are before laying tile on any surface.

Answer 4

Tempting, isn't it? But, you must rip up the linoleum, because it is soft and flexible, and tile isn't; the tile will crack if not laid onto firm flooring. Ask the guys at Home Depot, they'll explain in detail.

Answer 5

I don't think it is a good idea. if you want the tile to last the first step is to have a strong sub-floor. the mastic will not ad hear to linoleum for very long before cracks will begin to show.

Answer 6

If the tile you seek to install is a vinyl tile (peel & stick) or glue down you can go over the existing lino provided it is well adhered and not otherwise damaged. If the tile you seek to install is a ceramic tile I would not recommend installing it directly onto the lino. A thorough cleaning of the lino is required prior to installing vinyl tile on it. Use TSP(Trisodium Phosphate) and hot water and allow the lino to dry completely prior to installing tiles onto the lino.

Answer 7

i would not recommend doing so. but what you could do is lay luan plywood over the linolum floor then tile.

Answer 8

what kind of tile?