quick floor tiling question

[tonkadawg]

I was wondering if anyone knew if it was ok to lay ceramic tile over a linoleum floor?

[edit]
providing that the subfloor was adequate enough to support the weight.

[gqjeff]

yes it is Matt but you should still use 1/4" wonderboard "concrete board" under it to make the subfloor sturdy. I will take some pics today of my new slate floor in my living room.. They are finishing my hallway today actually... Still have to grout but looks AWESOME for sure... Also if the floor is not level you should use ardex feather finish to level the floor out before the wonderboard. I would have done my own tile this time but with the natural slate its much different then ceramic...

Jeff.

[tonkadawg]

Jeff, I was hoping you would reply - thanks for the info.

I do know that the house does have the concrete board, but Dana's mom didn't opt for the tile, so they just put down linoleum.

I've never used or heard of ardex feather finish - will have to look into it.

Definitely post up some pics of your new slate floor !!!!

[gqjeff]

Matt, if the floor is level and sound there will be no reason for the feather finish. That is used on the subfloor when you have voids or dips so it levels it out before the wonderboard. Sounds like you should be good to go. I am heading home shortly and will ask my installer if he recommends anything special over linoleum and snap a few pics for you.

Jeff

[tonkadawg]

Ok, I will have to grab the large level next time I head up there to double check, but I think I am in good shape. I would appreciate any advice your installer has to offer as well (including wet saw recommendations). Thanks again Jeff!

[gqjeff]

NP Matt, I will find out if they recommend a different mortar over linoleum.. Since its a smooth non porus surface that may be a possibility. I will def let you know all I hear from him bro.

Jeff

[tonkadawg]

cool thanks - add one more round to my tab

[gqjeff]

Matt, my installer is gone for the day. He was feeling sick he told me this morning so looks like he finished the wonderboard and headed home today. I will find out all the info tomorrow for you.. Here are a few pics of the new upstairs living room area and the hallway will be the same.




Peace, Jeff

P.S. we are going with a black grout since the gap is 1/8" and it will not look dirty over time.

[tonkadawg]

Jeff, that looks sweet! And with a thin 1/8" black grout line, it's gonna look incredible! I really love the look of slate.

[gqjeff]

Thanks Matt, yea we are going to clean it tonight to get it ready to be sealed. Can't wait till its all done so we can move the furniture back in there from out of the kitchen hehehe... Also have to do a lot of dusting as he sanded the subfloor before using the ardex to get it really nice and level... He did an awesome job but damn the slate and labor is EXPENSIVE heheh.. I need to take up a part time tiling job hehehe .

Jeff

[gqjeff]

Matt, the installer has the flu so he's not at my house today either.. I will let you know as soon as I hear from him bro.

Peace, Jeff

[tonkadawg]

Thanks Jeff, that's cool - not really in a hurry here.

[gqjeff]

Matt, I talked to my tiler and he recommends tearing up the linoleum and the underlayment and then starting over with wonderboard.. He said the biggest problem if you don't is the transitions will be really high compared to the other room. He also asked where it would be installed.. He said if it was in a kitchen and you had a dishwasher that more then likely you could not get the dishwasher the fit back under the cabinets because of the thickness of the total floor with the underlayment linoleum and then wonderboard and tile.. He said standard is 1" and that the floor would be about 1.5" tall if you did it this way. I am not sure if this helps out at all but telling you what he said.. If you need to know anything else let me know and I will be sure to ask him.. He is coming back friday to grout it all.

Jeff

[tonkadawg]

Jeff, that definitely helps. Yes, I will be laying the tile in the kitchen - good point about there being a height difference between the other rooms and the dishwasher and cabinets. While I wasn't planning on putting wonderboard down on the linoleum, just smacking the tile down, I will go ahead and tear everything up first and then lay the tile.

Thanks for your help.