Can you lay linoleum over concrete?

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Concrete: Sheet vinyl can be installed over concrete if the surface of the concrete is clean, smooth and dry. Repair any holes or cracks. You can lower high spots with a grinder. Linoleum or vinyl flooring: Sheet vinyl can be laid over old linoleum or vinyl flooring if the existing floor is in good condition.



In this regard, how do you lay linoleum on a concrete floor?

Roll back half of the piece of linoleum to expose the concrete floor. Then use your trowel to apply some of the adhesive to the concrete. Make sure that the adhesive is spread evenly over the surface of the concrete floor. Then you can lay the first half of the linoleum down on the floor.

Furthermore, what is the best flooring to put over concrete? The best options for flooring over a concrete slab foundation are wood/laminate, carpet, or tile for your whole house. Many concrete floors have a tendency to get damp, so when you are installing wood floors over a concrete slab foundation there are some important things that you need to do.

Similarly one may ask, do you need underlay for vinyl flooring on concrete?

If you have any areas on a concrete subfloor with moisture concerns, it is recommended to use a vapor barrier underlayment that will not add any cushion to the planks. Using a vinyl flooring underlayment can help reduce noise, soften the feel under foot and aid in moisture protection.

Does linoleum need to be glued down?

No Glue Required One type of linoleum flooring does not require adhesive for installation. Tongue-and-groove boards laid on the floor lock together to create a solid floor above the subfloor. These are often referred to as floating floors because nothing connects them to the floor underneath.

37 Related Question Answers Found

How do you prepare a concrete floor for vinyl planks?

Prep your subfloor so that it is clean, dry and level within 3/16-inch change per 10 feet. Use a self-leveler on low spots and / or sand high spots of wood or concrete. Do not sand vinyl flooring – it may contain asbestos.

How can you tell the difference between linoleum and vinyl?

Vinyl has an embossed pattern on the surface; whereas, the pattern on linoleum flooring goes all way through the material. The difference is similar to that between engineered hardwood and real wood. If the surface of vinyl wears, the pattern disappears.

What is the best flooring to put on concrete?

Since flooring experts generally recommend against installing traditional strip or plank hardwoods below grade, the six best options for basement flooring over concrete are:
  • Wood.
  • Laminate.
  • Carpet.
  • Vinyl Tile.
  • Ceramic Tile.
  • Rubber Tile.

What is the best flooring for cement floor in basement?

Ceramic tile is the designer's choice, with tons of colors and styles. It's unaffected by moisture and goes directly onto concrete that's smooth and free of cracks. Vinyl tile and sheet flooring also goes directly over prepared concrete and will withstand even minor flooding with no ill effect.

Does vinyl sheet flooring need to be glued down?


As the name states – glue down vinyl flooring does require glue. Every plank needs to be glued down to the subfloor. This glue down vinyl flooring installation is best for places where the subfloor may not be perfectly even.

What can I put under vinyl flooring on concrete?

No Thick Underlayment Under Vinyl Flooring
However, if you are installing vinyl flooring over a concrete sub-floor, you will need a very thin vapor barrior, such as Visqueen Vapor Barrier underlayment to protect your flooring from moisture.

Do you need an expansion gap for vinyl flooring?

Expansion and contraction is a fact of life
When installing floating vinyl floors it is necessary to allow for this expansion by leaving a gap around the perimeter of the floor or anywhere it meets another floor or vertical surface.

Can vinyl plank flooring be installed directly on concrete?

So technically, if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor. However, some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl. This additional layer can improve insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less resonant.

Do I need a moisture barrier under vinyl plank flooring?

Existing Flooring
Meaning, if you're going to install vinyl plank flooring over tile, vinyl flooring, and even hardwood. As with the plywood floor, there's no need to worry about a moisture barrier; the underlayment should provide cushioning and sound-deadening benefits.

Do you need underlayment for vinyl?


If you're wondering about luxury vinyl plank underlayment, that's one of the appeals – it usually doesn't need underlayment. Luxury vinyl plank generally doesn't get affixed to the subfloor in any way. Since it's a floating floor system, it's also not recommended to install it over other floating floor products.

What are the disadvantages of vinyl plank flooring?

Some disadvantages of vinyl flooring include:
  • Cannot be repaired.
  • Can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Shorter lifespan than wood floors.
  • No impact, or negative impact, on home resale value.
  • Difficult to remove, especially if adhesive is used during installation.
  • Not eco-friendly; difficult to recycle.

Can you put flooring over concrete?

Many types of flooring can be installed over a concrete sub floor. However, many homeowners are disappointed to discover that solid wood flooring cannot be installed on a concrete slab. Laminate flooring is a good alternative to wood flooring in basements. Laminate flooring is also fairly easy to install.

How do you cover a concrete floor?

  1. Four Ways to Cover Concrete Floors:
  2. Textured Concrete Floor Coverings.
  3. Thin Section / Microtoppings.
  4. Spray Applied or Stenciled Concrete.
  5. Self-Leveling.

Can laminate flooring be glued to concrete?

Yes, You Can!
You can glue laminate flooring to a concrete wall, but you will need a special adhesive to make sure that your planks do not come falling down off of your walls due to the concrete wall having more moisture in it than regular drywall.

How do you seal moisture on a concrete floor?


Be sure to make a plan for drying or draining the floor surface after rinsing. Let your concrete fully dry for 24 hours.

  1. Make sure windows are open and the area is properly ventilated.
  2. Apply the sealant with a 9" roller.
  3. Let the sealant dry.
  4. Apply a second coat of sealant using both the roller and brush.

Do I need a subfloor on concrete?

While a subfloor is not necessary to add structural strength when you'll be laying finish flooring on top of a concrete slab (as in a basement remodel), subflooring over concrete offers two other advantages: Dampness control. Install a vapor barrier of plastic sheeting before laying the subfloor.

Is vinyl plank flooring good for basements?

Vinyl plank flooring is more durable than either cork or bamboo, making it a great choice if your basement floor gets a lot of foot traffic. Some luxury vinyl planks have an extra thick top layer that's even more durable and resistant to scuffs and minor scrapes.