I am about to purchase my first home. The sellers replaced the subflooring in the laundry room with what I think is called chip board or press board. It is not plywood. It is up to me to choose and install the floor covering.
I am considering True Linoleum tiles (Forbo Marmoleum brand), rather than vinyl or ceramic tiles. I'd like to attempt the installation myself, and think that this type of tile would be easier to work with that ceramic, and is longer lasting than vinyl. I have zero handywoman experience and wonder if this may be too big a job to jump into? I am also hoping that Marmoleum is a good choice for a laundry room with this type of subflooring? Any advice, warnings, atta girls or whatever? Any other suggestions for better flooring choices? Any good resources out there on HOW to lay this linoleum? Btw- the room is about 8' x 12' and is not perfectly square.
Thanks tons!
Tracy
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Welcome Tracy,
Congratulations on your (almost) new home!
Resources....I like THIS forum a lot...but also Hometime.com. There is almost always a lot available at local libraries--I often get books/videos/magazines and the price is right!
As for the floor, I'll bet the flooring gurus will offer advice. I'm just what I call a USUALLY handy remodeler. I've put down floors before, including ceramic tile and sheet vinyl. I personally don't care for stick-on tiles as they typically seem to loosen eventually (kind of like the ones on display at the home improvement stores!).
Sheet vinyl can be a lot of work to put down, as the subfloor must be VERY VERY smooth--or you'll feel every imperfection. (This may not be so critical in a laundry room, but still...)
I am partial to ceramic tile but this is probably overkill in a laundry room. It's heavy work, but (I think) not all that much more difficult than sheet vinyl and, with some care, you can end up with a nice looking job. It's also a GREAT skill for any homeowner--although it can get expensive. I like to go to tile stores rather than home improvement superstores--as the selection is much better and the prices can be better as well.
Anyway, hope the flooring gurus will respond as to your question....but in the meantime, definitely "Attagirl!" and hope the closing and possession go well!
Best of luck,
-k2 in CO.
Congrats on your new home, and hopefully I can help with some advice.
I would not install Lino on chip board, either you could replace with new plywood, or install new 1/4 sanded plywood to put on top, that way your lino will last alot longer. I am sure Marmoleum would agree.
If all that is too much, you could check out some laminate, although I am a big fan of Lino, Laminate is relatively easy to install, and does not have a subfloor requirement. And if you washer floods, it will toast whatever floor there is anyway.
good luck and keep us informed!
you for sure can not install over your existing subfloor , plywood will be required. 1/4" should be o.k.(the reason is that the glue that holds the chipboard together will react with the glue from the lino,with plywood you glue to wood)
read the instructions carefully,make sure the product is a room temp.for the required time and use the correct adhesive.....good luck
read the instructions carefully,make sure the product is a room temp.for the required time and use the correct adhesive.....good luck
Just want you to keep in mind that if you do put down the vinyl tiles and you choose one that has a pattern, it will be VERY noticeable if your walls are not too square. Just a heads up for you!! I am partial to ceramic myself. With ceramic, you should not have to worry about pulling your appliances out now and them. ANY vinyl or leno. tile can rip when you do that. Keep it in mind.
Thanks everyone for your replies. I had heard that I'd need plywood down first if I go with the linoleum option, not a huge deal, but I will check out laminate as well. I do like the idea of NOT having to lay down more subflooring, and I am not up for replacing the brand new subflooring that was just put down!
However, I still need to close on this house! Should happen tomorrow or Wednesday... keeping fingers crossed.
However, I still need to close on this house! Should happen tomorrow or Wednesday... keeping fingers crossed.
Thanks again!
Tracy in Dolores CO
Best of luck on a smooth closing! Hopefully the biggest problem will be writer's cramp from signing all that paperwork!
-k2, also in Colorado
If you choose to install linoleum yourself, I recommend you get a kit from one of the big box stores that helps you measure perfectly. They cost around $15 and are well worth it.
The kit contains a very large sheet of paper that you use to lay down on the existing floor, and some tape to hold it in place, while you use the marker and roller to mark the outside edges around the walls, etc.
Then, you cut the paper on the marks and lay it on the back of the tile you're going to use. Marking around the paper on the underside of the tile allows you to cut out exactly the right piece of tile to fit the room.
I'ts great for beginners.
The kit contains a very large sheet of paper that you use to lay down on the existing floor, and some tape to hold it in place, while you use the marker and roller to mark the outside edges around the walls, etc.
Then, you cut the paper on the marks and lay it on the back of the tile you're going to use. Marking around the paper on the underside of the tile allows you to cut out exactly the right piece of tile to fit the room.
I'ts great for beginners.
