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What type of 12x12 vinyl flooring is best for a bathroom? Also, should we install over existing vinyl?

Install over existing vinyl or tear out old vinyl and install new vinyl tile over floor? I seen a few types of vinyl tiles that are self stick. Which 12x12 vinly tiles are the best? 1.Vinyl with no make believe grout lines that are thicker and that look like ceramic. 2.Vinyl with make believe grout lines 3. Vinyl which needs grout lines to be applied Also, should the tiles be places corner to corner or should the tiles corners be placed in the middle position to the next tile when laying them down? I heard this from somewhere because then the tiles would not pop up on the corners.

Public Comments

  1. i like the one with no grout lines. a marble looking one would make it look seamless.
  2. If the old vinyl is not cracked or torn, then place new over it. The ones with make believe grout is easy to work with. Clean the old flooring very well. And if the new pieces raise up at the corners, just keep pushing them down.
  3. Do not use vinyl tiles, they will just peel up from the steam over a period of time. Do not place vinyl tiles nor linoleum over an existing one. Do tear up existing tile before starting a new project. Do shop around for tile. You can find good deals on tile now days. Check wholesale outlets. If you don't want ceramic, Linoleum is best. You can find ceramic in squares, at a good price. Do go to do it yourself classes, held at Lowe's and home depot.
  4. Wahini is right. Don`t cover up what`s wrong. Tear it up, use a flat shovel or heavy scraper. take it down to the wood, if need be a belt sander will clean up the rest. Make sure that there are no nails or screws sticking up before sanding. Seal the floor with a quality sealer, let it dry for 24-36 hrs and cover it with a single piece of linoleum. You have to see what is out there. you will not believe it. Linoleum that can match almost anything, including the texture of slate. If you really want you can cover the old stuff up, But in a few years it will look just as bad. Putting tape on the wall, or on the rust spot on the car doesn`t fix it. It just covers it up. Why not go with a nice ceramic tile with radiant heat underneath? (if you have cold winters). Lasts a long time . and is really nice to stand on in the morning or after a shower. And they only cost about 40-90 cents/month in hydro to use, and you don't need to heat the room otherwise. Just a thought
  5. I use the self stick tiles. If the floor down is not torn or pulling up, you can put it over that. (If corners are coming up etc, you can glue with gorilla glue first. If there is a tear, go to home depot or lowes and tell them you need a filler to fill the spots in. This will keep you from pulling up the exisiting. floor. We did this in the basement. Our tile was old. The home inspector said it had asbestos and was fine left down. Only problem if you try to remove it...so we filled in bad spots and tiled over it. I use Home Depot's very inexpensive tiles...work great. In my kitchen, I have a tile that looks like marble with grout. People will tell you not to use them. I am on my 4th house and have used them in every one. If one is loose, just use the Gorilla glue. Cermamic tile is nice, but very expensive. Good Luck