FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Tile to Sheet Vinyl?

Chris Cooper | Posted in Construction Techniques on January 22, 2010 07:16am

I have what I’m sure is a stubborn sheet floor in the house I just bought, and I would like to replace it with tile. Can I set it directly to the vinyl assuming it is well-adhered? The subfloor thickness is 2″, so deflection is not a worry, I just don’t want to tear this hideous vinyl off if I don’t have to. Thanks for any replies.

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. DanH | Jan 22, 2010 07:57am | #1

    It's done, and I've heard it
    It's done, and I've heard it said that it's a "good idea" since the vinyl serves as an isolation membrane.

    No personal experience, though.

  2. User avater
    SteveInCleveland | Jan 22, 2010 11:16am | #2

    You'll want to degloss it
    You'll want to degloss it first.

  3. IdahoDon | Jan 22, 2010 03:23pm | #3

    It's often hard to see areas
    It's often hard to see areas under the sheet flooring that aren't well attached and move with foot pressure so if you try it make sure things are solid.

    Some good tile guys say they've done it will no problems, but don't recommend it. If it's your own floor then all you are out is your own labor and materials, but if you are doing this for a client I'd rent a floor stripping machine to make sure it's done right.

    1. DanH | Jan 22, 2010 09:07pm | #4

      Of course, it's likely the
      Of course, it's likely the existing vinyl contains asbestos, so stripping the floor may turn the place into a Superfund site.

      1. User avater
        rjw | Jan 23, 2010 05:55pm | #6

        >>it's likely the existing
        >>it's likely the existing vinyl contains asbestos,

        It'd have to be pretty old sheet vinyl to have asbestos....

        Pre '72, and even then, it isn't a certainty.

        1. DanH | Jan 27, 2010 09:55am | #9

          I'm told out to the late 70s.
          I'm told out to the late 70s. And keep in mind that Joe's Flooring may have had that roll of vinyl in stock for ten years.

          1. User avater
            rjw | Jan 27, 2010 11:39am | #10

            >>'m told out to the late
            >>'m told out to the late 70s. And keep in mind that Joe's Flooring may have had that roll of vinyl in stock for ten years.

            '72 was the year the EPA(?) rules went into effect.

            10 years in stock?

            If Joe had stock lasting that long, he went out of business long before he could sell it.

            It is possible, but darned unlikely - IIRC, the post raising the A-word said it was 'likely'....

  4. Chris Cooper | Jan 23, 2010 02:25am | #5

    Thanks for all the replies. I would much rather start at the 3/4 ply substrate for this install, but I have stripped back vinyl flooring a couple of times and I'd rather take a beating. I think I'll check as well as possible for bubbled areas, and if it checks out, sand it (good idea)& set the tile. Is a decoupling membrane suggested?

    On the other hand, maybe a heat gun, scraper, and a 12-pack and I can strip it back.

    Thanks for the tip about asbestos-- I'll wear a mask.

    1. calvin | Jan 26, 2010 10:20pm | #8

      Chris, in these situations I will find the bottom most layer of suitable underlayment-with your thickness, I'd probably go down to the orig. subfloor. To get there I'd set the saw depth with a demo blade in a circ. saw. Cut through everything down to the subfloor in managable pcs-2x2 or so. Then pull sections up, take care of staples/nails and then apply cement board or more ply-whichever you think will do the job.

      Way easier than trying to pull up vinyl.

      Use appropriate breathing and eye protection.

  5. User avater
    rjw | Jan 23, 2010 05:57pm | #7

    You can do it, but you don't
    You can do it, but you don't want to.

    I'll explain why when I;m back from BT vacation....

    On edit: most sheet vinyl is much too compressible to be a good substrate under tile, especially if it padded for softness.

    Tile over that is a prescription for problematic grout and possibly even cracking tiles.

    And then image the work needed!

  6. jimcap | Jan 30, 2010 01:54am | #11

    If you decided to take the vinyl out, you can go to your local rental place and rent a reciprocating knife tool that makes the removal a lot easier.

    1. excaliber32 | Jan 30, 2010 12:14pm | #12

      I just stripped a floor in a 3x3 closet with vinyl. It took hours and I'm still not completely done. You might could try the adhesive removers, I certainly wish that I had.

      1. DanH | Jan 30, 2010 01:36pm | #13

        I've had fairly decent luck
        I've had fairly decent luck using both paint removers and hot air.

        But a bit of a warning: If you use hot air disable the smoke detectors.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Fast, Accurate Wall Framing

A rear addition provides a small-scale example of how to frame efficiently.

Featured Video

Micro-Adjust Deck-Baluster Spacing for an Eye-Deceiving Layout

No math, no measuring—just a simple jig made from an elastic band is all you need to lay out a good-looking deck railing.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 693: Old-House Hazards, Building Larsen Trusses, AI in Construction
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Finding Hazardous Materials in a Fixer-Upper
  • A Classic Paint Sprayer Gets a Thoughtful Refresh
  • Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data