What is the easiest way to lay linoleum?

Question

We are installing it over cheap, old tile in a small 9x12 room in our basement. nothing fancy, just trying to spruce up the basement.

Answer 1

I was a painting contractor for 20 years, with 25 years in the business.

If I were to do it, i would clean it with a solvent like acetone, then soap and water, and let dry. If they have a primer made for it, use it. Sherwin Williams makes great products. If nothing is specified for it, use XIM primer. Then use a floor paint top coat. You will most likely need 2 coats of the top coat paint, and 1 coat of the primer.

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If you really want to protect your floor paint, I just used a great top clear coat product you can order from sherwin williams called 'showroom finish'. It is made by the makers of 'seal krete'.

I used this over a faux tile floor on concrete I did, and could not be happier.

Answer 2

1- remove the tile floor with a scraper ( 5 foot pole with a wide skinny metal head). It takes some work but if you dont your floor will move as the old tiles get looser underneath.

2- buy a product called floor leveler. This is some great stuff. Its a liquid form. you basicall poor it on your floor and the liquid spreads out and self levels and hardens very strong. Measure the square footage of your basement then get the amount needed as required by the back of the can.

3 Now make sure you have enough linoleum for the entire basement. Use a lineleum adhesive on the floor (some say to leave it on the floor for 10 minutes before applying the linoleum.) Follow the instructions on the can every product is different.

4. IMPORTANT! Rent a floor roller. This is a heavy roller that you will roll over every sq foot of the floor to bond the linoleum to the basements concrete floor. If you dont do this it can shorten the life of the floor.

Answer 3

Sorry, but you will not be happy if you put it over anything but a recommended underlayment. Remove all the tile, etc. and put in an underlayment with screws. The best underlayment will be 1/8 - 1/4" gypsum/cementious product. Check local recommendations! It is very esy to lay properly. They usually recommend gobs of screws. I know it is tempting, but do not skimp. Make sure the screw heads are not protruding. The underlayment can be cut by scoring with a lino or razor knife. It can also be cut with a variety of saws.

Use a wide putty knife to fill all holes and cracks between underlayment sheets with a sandable crack filler. I have used "Durhams Water Putty" and "Fix-It-All" a lot. Do not leave any excess as it can be difficult to sand smooth.

After installing the underlayment, you should "dry-fit" your lino. You may leave it half-rolled as you trim the edges to fit your space. Use a very sharp knife. I leave it purposefully long to do a final trim at the gluing/rolling step.

Note: Consider how you will be edging your lino. If baseboard trim is already in, you may choose to uninstall it first or add a small 3/4" round or base shoe to your project to cover the edges around the current base trim. Covering mis-cut edges is easier than trying to cut it perfect!

Once you are satisfied with the dry fit, remove the lino and clean the floor and the backside of the lino of any dust/goobers that could hinder adhesion. Spread the lino glue with plenty of ventilation. Use the recommended notched trowel. Most recommend a 1/8" - 1/4" V-notch. Do not get too far ahead with spreading before beginning to place the cut lino into the adhesive.

Place the cut lino carefully, trying not to push or pull too much. You do not want to press out all of the adhesive. You also do not want to stretch the lino as it will shrink back. You may use a lino roller to press the material evenly into the adhesive. I have used my wife's bread pin/dough roller in a pinch. I prefer to trim as I go, rather than waiting until it is all glued down. You may trim any excess lino along the way as you roll the lino down into the adhesive.

Upon completion, throw away the trowel, if it was cheap. I believe clean up is with mineral spirits. Check the adhesive label to be sure. It is best to wait for a day to walk on it as that may cause adhesion issues. If you must walk on it, do so carefully. It is best to use pieces of plywood for a walkway (for even distribution of weight).

Put whatever trim you are using around the edges on the second day.

Jeanette M is right about the tile painting. If the tile is sound, follow those painting recommendations.

Answer 4

If its in your basement you have concrete floor probably so make sure the old tile is holding down good then applying a skim coat of feather finish portland cement. While its drying measure room within a inch on all sides to make the rolling out and positioning easier. Also the room needs to be at around 70 degrees for install to be completed without tearing or getting curl at the edges.Cut to fit fold half the room back from corner to corner making a triangle. Glue with a multipurpose glue.Henrys 356 is a popular brand found at home depot. Use a smal teeth trowel. fold corner back into glue slowly and with a slight shake to help push out bubbles. Rub down with wet towel pushing bubbles out nearest edge. Repeat process with other side. Whala you have a new floor and it looks darn good doesnt it?

Answer 5

Cheap and quick would be to cover the old tiles with thin plywood
glued to the old tile. lay the linoleum over this.

Answer 6

As long as it's the basement and a square room then go for it, you have to learn somewhere. It's really simple once you learn how to cut. Remember measure twice, cut once.

Answer 7

when you lay lino over anything, the pattern of the bottom floor will bleed through. make sure the floor is swept very good before laying the lino.

Answer 8

No please! remove the old stuff- you will be glad you did.

It's not that hard, use orderless mineral spirits to help break the bond of the glue. if it's as old as you say, you can then scrap it up easily.

If you get everything up,the self- sticking cheapie stuff will lay down like a dream

Answer 9

Hire a professional... It will save you the head aches and money in the long run.

Answer 10

hire someone