Install Laminate Flooring over Linoleum

LESLIE: Larry in Arkansas, you’ve got The Money Pit. How can we help you today?

LARRY: Yes. My question is – I have a rolled linoleum floor in my bathroom and the wife doesn’t like it much. And it’s been in there about 8 or 10 years, I guess. And I heard from a friend of mine that there is a product on the market that is a 12-inch square, self-adhesive tile that has a beveled edge on it that can be grouted? Is that a true thing, where I wouldn’t have to put down the cement-board base and all that?

TOM: Yes, they do have prefabricated tile that comes in sort of somewhat pre-assembled. But you know what? Why don’t you think about doing a laminate floor? This would be a perfect scenario for that and the laminate can look like stone or it could look like tile or it could look like hardwood. It could look like whatever you want and it’s very water-resistant. And you could lay it down right on top of that linoleum.

LARRY: OK. And I wouldn’t have to put down the cement-board base?

TOM: No, no. It floats on top of the floor, just like that.

LESLIE: It’s available in so many different looks, as Tom said. So just search them out online. Armstrong is a great brand. If you go to Lumber Liquidators, they have a ton of different manufacturers that they sell online. Just to get an idea of what’s available and it’s at a variety of price points.

LARRY: OK. And Lumber Liquidators handles that?

TOM: Lumber Liquidators, Armstrong, Bruce. You know, there is a whole bunch of manufacturers that make laminate today.

LARRY: Alright. Is this a floating floor or does it have to be glued or …?

TOM: Yes. Nope. It’s a floating floor. And the tiles will lock together.

LARRY: Oh, OK. Alright. OK. I think you’ve answered my question. Thanks for all the help.

TOM: Good luck with that project. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.