Three Suggestions For A Perfect Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring can be a good surface for certain rooms of the home

, but there are a few particular methods to use when installing such material. Some homeowners feel that the best way to install a vinyl floor is to put tiles directly onto the existing floor. This may indeed save quite a bit of time but some who have chosen this route have found that there are disadvantages as well.

Placing new tile directly onto existing vinyl flooring, for example, may leave the homeowner with a somewhat unstable surface and may even have a negative effective on the appearance of the floor. There are several reasons not to tile over existing vinyl floors. In some expert opinions, there are three main reasons:

* New tiles may not adhere well to the smooth surface of the older vinyl. The outer layer of that vinyl flooring can be slick and it will be difficult to get any material to stick to it. Vinyl flooring is generally not porous enough to create a good bond between new and old material. Though new types of glue developed in recent years may help in this situation, problems can always arise. Some homeowners with experience in replacing floors will "rough up" the old surface to create a better bond for the glue and new tile.

Some with experience in floor replacement and upgrade find that the new tile can lift or move when placed over the smooth surface of old vinyl flooring. It may be necessary to replace some or all of the floor, if this happens. At some time in the future it may be necessary to remove not only the new flooring, but also the original vinyl to get to a surface that will provide long-term stability. It may be best to remove old flooring first to save time and expense.

* A tile floor placed over existing vinyl flooring may not be as level or smooth as desired. It may be difficult to get the new tiles to fit tightly, without raised edges and slight bumps. If the homeowner is fortunate enough to have an old floor that is perfectly smooth and level, this may not be a problem. But that is rare. Placing tile flooring over existing vinyl can be a problem at "transition" points as well, where two floor surfaces meet. In many cases, the sub-floors will be level at those places and the surfaces will be correct for bonding the tile with adhesive.

* When installing vinyl flooring, it is wise to make sure the sub-floor surface is correct for tile. Some tile and vinyl flooring may have originally been installed over particleboard or " plywood. These materials may be too thin to provide a good base for quality vinyl flooring. As foot traffic puts pressure on the new floor, cracks can appear or the tile may move up and down. If this occurs, it may be necessary to replace a large portion of the new floor. With too much lifting and movement of the new tile, complete replacement may be necessary.

Suggested solutions or alternatives include:

* Prepare the existing floor by using screws to more firmly secure the

old surface.

* Use mesh and a cement mix to create a mortar base.

* Put down a thick plywood base.

* Enlist the help of a flooring professional.

Trying to save money and time by skipping critical steps may lead to more expense and stress later.

by: Nash Wendin

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