BJ_James
journeyman
Reged: 10/07/04
Posts: 79
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I was going to have a really nice vinyl floor installed over an existing vinyl floor in our 7'x14' front hall. Quote came to $1500 including laying a subfloor over existing vinyl. Ouch. I'm going to have to attempt something on my own instead. I'll attempt to remove existing floor by peeling and scraping, and if the subfloor is decent, was thinking of laying ceramic tile. Are there other options I should be considering? I did a laminate hardwood in the guest room. It was easy, and turned out good. Not sure about using it in the hall though. A bit of snow will get dragged inside in the winter. Wife is even considering peel and stick. Isn't that stuff kinda lowgrade? Just looking for ideas here.
Thanks,
BJ
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gxa127
Super Handyman
Reged: 06/03/04
Posts: 1827
Loc: PA
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Personally I would go with tile, I think self stick tiles are kind of tacky..if you can do tile yourself (really isnt hard at all) it should go quick since its a small area plus you dont half to worry about getting it wet after its installed
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Shoreguy
member
Reged: 08/03/04
Posts: 177
Loc: New Jersey Shore, The Best "US...
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BJ I think if you're comfortable laying the laminate floor I would suggest going with that. Good vinyl will hold up for quite a few years, but not half as long as the laminates. I just installed Dupont Real Touch Elite and it has a 30 year warranty, it's comfortable to walk on and it's a good looking floor. I can understand your concern for the snow in winter, but I think a good sized rubber backed rug/mat at your entrance would be all that you need. Good luck!
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jdf
fanatic
Reged: 09/17/03
Posts: 524
Loc: Oklahoma
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Have you checked into that new floating ceramic tile stuff? Lowes version is called Edge and you lay it just like laminate w/ a foam padding and then put real grout in the seams. Not sure of all the details or how good it is. Not even sure if you normally have to install backerboard as with conventional tile.
One point to make, if you put ceramic tile you don't necessarily need to remove the vinyl. If you have a solid subfloor then you can just glue down the 1/4" backerboard and mortar the tile over that. If the subfloor is less solid you should strengthen it and possibly use a thicker backer.
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Shoreguy
member
Reged: 08/03/04
Posts: 177
Loc: New Jersey Shore, The Best "US...
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Jdf the floating tile floor could be a good option here also because it lays just like the regular laminate floors. No backerboard reqired for this system. You're also correct about installig backerboard on top of existing vinyl (as long as it is not too soft). I've done this several times with very good results, but I would suggest that you rough up the vinyl with a belt sander and use mortar and screws just like you would do with any backerboard install. Also, the old vinyl serves as a pretty good water barrier.
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jdf
fanatic
Reged: 09/17/03
Posts: 524
Loc: Oklahoma
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I just barely glanced at it and noticed that it was about 2x as expensive as conventional tile, and the actual ceramic portion was very thin. I don't know how it doesn't crack since it probably isn't installed right on a solid slab.
Anyway, I installed tile right over my old vinyl too, worked great. We did mortar down 1/4" cement board w/ screws but no sanding, etc. Has worked great, but the floor seemed rock solid already so maybe got lucky.
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Shoreguy
member
Reged: 08/03/04
Posts: 177
Loc: New Jersey Shore, The Best "US...
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You're right about the price I wouldn't pay it, but you have to remember for the conveinence and the ez of installation they will probably sell boat loads of this stuff. Only problem I have is I won't be able to play in/with the mud lol. Yeah, I'm sure your tile over vinyl will work fine even without the sanding, but I just feel like the mortar will adhere better with the wear layer removed.
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Florwizard
"One Floor expert to rule them all!"
Reged: 11/19/03
Posts: 1147
Loc: AK
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Do you know the exact reasons why they cannot lay new vinyl over the old without the new underlay?
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Mole........Moooole....MOLE!
"Austin Powers"
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BJ_James
journeyman
Reged: 10/07/04
Posts: 79
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The old vinyl has a few tears and gouges. The installer said that would telegraph through the new vinyl. Even so, eliminate the subfloor would only save me about $300. I don't feel there is any need to spend more than a grand on this small area-installed. Less if I do it myself.
BJ
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Florwizard
"One Floor expert to rule them all!"
Reged: 11/19/03
Posts: 1147
Loc: AK
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Well, my main concern is that if this installer doesn't have a better reason then telegraphing, you don't want him working on your house anyway.
Embossing leveler fixes that problem.
I would think laminate would be best for DIY, but tile would be best overall.
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Mole........Moooole....MOLE!
"Austin Powers"
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