We generally recommend that the underlayment be removed because the subfloor may mot be adequate to support tile; however if your existing vinyl floor was installed over an adequate subfloor using a full spread installation method then yes, it can be done if you use the proper installation products.

When the vinyl is firmly adhered to the floor and all contaminants and waxes have been stripped from the floor. If the vinyl is “cushioned,” it should be removed. Bear in mind that some older vinyl may contain asbestos, which can be dangerous if inhaled. In unsure, contact a professional.

Ceramic tile can be bonded to ceramic tile with a polymer modified thinset BUT your installation will only be as good as the weakest tile in the old installation.

Although modified thinset will bond to the vinyl floor covering it doesn't mean it will allow for a successful installation. The vinyl should be removed along with the 1/4" plywood underlayment.

Depending upon the type of system you have, it is usually possible to install ceramic over radiant heat floors. Some applications will require a membrane in between the tile and subfloor. Ask your contractor what is best for you. One of the rubs against ceramic tile is that it is cold and hard. There are floor heating systems available to make your floor more comfortable to the touch, but in terms of hardness, yes, ceramic is much like hardwood in that it doesn’t have much give.

It's important that your floor be strong and without any flexibility. Your joists should be 2"x10" centered every 16". The plywood subfloor must be either 5/8" exterior grade plywood or 3/4" OSB before you begin adding to the substrate. Deflection both dead and live loads must not exceed L/360 for ceramic tile or L/720 for natural stone and some larger ceramic tiles. There are allowances made for variances to the above. Check with the pros in the forum for recommendations.

Yes. However, tile will not bond directly to a wood floor. We recommend the following methods to prepare your wood floor for tile installation: Install Schluter Ditra, from Schluter Systems, with a latex thinset. Then install the tile using a non-latex thinset.

Because ceramic tile is rigid and somewhat brittle, a strong underlayment is the most important part of the tile installation. Interior-grade plywood and particleboard are not considered a strong enough floor underlayment. Therefore, we do not recommend laying floor tile over particleboard. The particleboard should be replaced with a suitable substrate before installing ceramic tile.

Yes you can as long as you use a product that’s freeze/thaw stable. Keep in mind slip resistance as well.

The Basement De-Watering System® is the ideal solution for carpeted basements. If the carpet has not been destroyed by years of water damage, enough of it can be moved or removed to provide clearance for the Basement De-Watering System®. Some carpets must be trimmed and replaced after the installation. If vinyl flooring has survived past seepage, it will be trimmed about 2 1/2" from the wall before the Basement De-Watering System® is installed.

We recommend using a non-rinsing cleaner that leaves no film. We suggest that you vacuum, sweep or dust mop more frequently. Wipe up food or other spills immediately using a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth. You should NEVER USE ABRASIVE CLEANERS, POWDERS, OIL CLEANERS, WAXES OR DISH DETERGENT; this will scratch the surface or leave a film.

You can use primer to prepare a sub-floor for vinyl tile. It aids in preparing the floor for the adhesive. We recommend Jasco Primer. NEVER USE A SEALER! TrafficMaster Pro Basement Proofer is a type of primer that acts like a sealer, but allows adhesion of the tile to concrete floors. Most importantly, it helps prevent moisture from getting between tiles and the sub-floor.

Concrete Floors must not contain a sealer or finish of any kind. For installing below grade (below floor level, like in basements), we recommend Basement Proofer to prepare concrete floors. First, clean the sub-floor for any remaining dirt and grease. Tiles must be in the room of installation for at least 2 days to stabilize temperature. Never use polyurethane over vinyl tile.

If your tile floor is properly maintained, you can expect it to last 20 years or more. You will greatly enhance the life of your tile floors or walls by using a properly installed cement backer board. Properly maintained tile walls installed over a cement backer board can also last 20 or more years.

If your original vinyl floor was installed using a full spread adhesive method, then you can apply an embossing leveler to the original vinyl to smooth it out and then install the new vinyl.

Yes! Use the bare floor tool or install one of our most popular options: the VacPan® automatic dustpan. It's ideal for removing debris from the kitchen, bath or mudroom. Simply sweep trash towards the automatic dustpan, touch the toeswitch and use the power of your Beam to instantly remove it. No more dustpans or stooping over to pick up swept debris.

Sheet vinyl has come a long way since the original patterns and colors. With the new imaging available many of the sheet vinyl patterns look very similar to ceramic tile or hardwood flooring.

You first need to flatten the floor with a skim coat of a Portland cement based patching compound. Or, you can simply install a floating clic cork floor directly over the existing tile.

Tile is the most durable flooring and facing material available. It is color permanent and virtually abrasion resistant. It will not cut, tear, gouge, puncture, warp, rot, burn or require refinishing.

Although glazed ceramic tile requires less floor care than most of the other flooring types, there are things you need to do to maintain the beauty of the ceramic tile floor. Wash regularly. Wash the floor regularly to remove any dirt or grit. Use a mild, diluted detergent solution, such as Mr. Clean or Spic & Span. If in doubt, call us to get the file manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations. Always rinse.

Sogo, a fully homogenous tile is far superior to ordinary ceramic floor tiles. Ordinary ceramic floor tiles are porous products and require to be glazed before use. Sogo on the other hand is an unglazed product. It is made of single compact body mass and is fully vitrified (water absorption near zero). This makes it stronger and more durables.

No. Mastic is best used for wall tile, especially in high-humidity areas. For most floor installation, we recommend latex thinset.

Ceramic tile is a mixture of clays which have been shaped and fired at high temperatures, resulting in a hard body. Ceramic tile is made of two parts: the body, which is called the Bisque and the surface which is called the Glaze. Glaze colors are made from minerals such as gold, sliver, zinc copper, mercury cobalt and others.

Ceramic tile is characterised by its easiness to clean, its ability to be kept from dirt and any type of corruption. You can simply clean your floor with a damp cloth and if the surface is dirty or greasy, cleaning agents such as detergents or bleach may be used. The ability of ceramic surfaces to prevent humidity, also prevents the development of dust mites population and fungi that are easily generated. Ceramic tiles are naturally resistant to chemical and biological agents, and to friction..

The haziness that you see is probably grout smear from the installation process. This can be safely removed using our Restore Restoration Cleaner for Ceramic Tile and Grout. Make sure you protect all walls, baseboards, carpeted areas, plants, foliage and metals. Restore™ may damage stainless steel and other surfaces. Sweep or dust mop loose dirt and debris off of the floor. Prepare a solution of 1 part of Restore™ mixed with 4 parts of warm or hot water.

SkimStone is formulated for application over concrete floors. Good adhesion has been achieved over a wide variety of materials but bare concrete is the only recommended substrate for SkimStone floors.

Yes, choose our clic floating cork floor and you can install directly over your existing flooring with very little surface preparation.

Layout - My husband is having trouble with the layout/cuts in the ceramic tile for our tub/shower area. There is an uncentered window in the primary wall. He keeps saying "no matter how I figure it, I still end up with 1/2" gap at the top of wall". Is there any way you can tell him what he's doing wrong? Thanks SOOO MUCH! Exterior Chimney - Do you have any information on tiling the exterior of a stucco chimney? Below freezing in winter.

It is better to remove the existing vinyl, but if it does not cause a transition problem from one floor to the next and/or if it does not cause a problem with the installation or removal of appliances and doors then it can be done. Keep in mind though that you may want to remove and raise your base boards so they have the proper reveal.