I am planning to have real linoleum installed in my kitchen and a small back entrance. The existing floor was laid in 1964. It is a vinyl sheet product that my flooring installer says is asbestos backed.
He has given me two options. Remove and dispose of the flooring myself or he will lay 1/4″ plywood over it and then lay the linoleum. The doors are all balsa core and taking a 1/2″ or more off of them would blow them apart so the second option doesn’t really work. I don’t like the first option either. Why can’t linoleum be installed directly over the vinyl?
Real linoleum has one major drawback that I can see, discoloration. Armstrong (they now own a linoleum manufacturer) makes a product that they call a polish that supposedly protects against appearing dull or faded. Does this mean that it stops the sun from discoloring the floor? I also understand the seems on a linoleum floor really stand out. Are there any opinions about linoleum discoloration and seem issues?
Replies
Option 1 is probably simpler than it seems. You can have the whole thing out in less than ten minutes if you have access to a skill saw and a sawzall. Just cut through the underlayment and pull. No need to get crazy with it, just cut where you have to to get the flooring out. Another piece of ply and you're done. The installer probably just doesn't want to deal with removals (common) and if he does, in fact, believe it's asbestos, he probably can't deal with it legally even if he wanted to, but you can as the HO. As to why not lay 1 over another, it's done all the time, this guy just probably takes a little pride in workmanship. It's like putting three layers of asphalt on a roof. You can do it, but it's a lousy idea and shortens the life of the roof. Your new linoleum should have a plywood backing to lay on. If it's too soft, you'll start nicking it up with things as inconsequential as high heels.
Another reason why laying the linoleum right over the vinyl may have to do with the compatibility of the adhesive. I can't speak for linoleum but I've had problems with installing certain sheet vinyl products directly over anything except new ply, as the adhesives have reacted and stained through the floor from below. The most important thing is to follow manufacturer spec; if Armstrong gives you the go to put their linoleum directly over vinyl (and will warranty it) then go for it.
FWIW, Armstrong has great tech support...
Andy
Or not. Perhaps the floor installer knows the underlayment is glued down. Yikes!
Taking up glued down particle board underlayment can be like removing latex paint with your fingernail. It can take days. Worse, its probably been stapled as well. Some glues are so tenacious that I've had the plywood subfloor delaminate rather than relinquish the glue and underlayment.
If it IS glued, best bet is to leave it there and lay the new floor over it.