Linoleum is one of the most flexible types of flooring materials available in the market today. But it must be installed on the proper subfloor for it to last. You need to lay your linoleum on a surface that will bond with the adhesive.
So, does a carpet meet the necessary prerequisites for installing linoleum? Yes, you can put linoleum on your floor without removing your existing carpet. But that will only work if your carpet has the right texture.
You might find yourself in a situation where you cannot remove the carpet, yet you want the elegant finish that linoleum offers. For instance, there might be restrictions if you live in a rented home or apartment.
On the other hand, some people prefer installing new flooring on top of the carpet because removing and disposing of it can be time-consuming. Whichever category you fall under, you can work around the situation if you have the correct type of carpet. The right kind, in this case, would be a sturdy, low-pile carpet – as long as it’s level. Plush carpets tend to be too soft to support the flooring, so if you own one of those, you might have to get rid of it.
Should You Put Linoleum Over Carpet?
Some circumstances might limit your choices when doing a floor makeover. It could be the terms and conditions of your lease or trying to cut down on costs.
If you find yourself in a tight spot, you should put linoleum over the carpet. Just ensure that the carpet is sturdy enough to hold the linoleum in place. It also helps to look if the carpet fibers are short. If they are too long, their stability is compromised.
A sturdy carpet is necessary because you don’t want a situation where soft carpet fibers shrink due to heavy foot traffic. Should the fibers shrink, that part of the floor will wear and tear before the other parts.
If your carpet has plush and thick fibers, it would be best to lay plywood over it before installing the linoleum. But ensure that you use the thinnest plywood to avoid a thick floor that can make the room look shorter. Avoid soft underlayment, such as foal, because that will not hold the linoleum properly.
The ideal length of carpet fibers for linoleum installation is anything less than a quarter of an inch. Notably, you will not need to install any underlayment since the carpet is already doing the job. Besides, adding an underlayment can reduce the height of your room.
What Tools Do You Need to Install Linoleum Over Carpet?
Carpet floors can be tough to deal with. But you can skip the hassle by installing a temporary floor over carpet, such as linoleum.
But before you embark on the project, you must put together the necessary tools for installing linoleum over the carpet. These include a tape measure, pen, utility knife, ruler, mallet, spacers, and a tapping block.
You will also need plywood if you install your linoleum over a high-pile carpet. Besides, you will need a vacuum to remove any dirt on the carpet. If you choose to clean with water, ensure that you leave the carpet to dry completely before you go in with the linoleum sheets.
What Preparations Do You Need to Install Linoleum Over Carpet?
Once you find the color and pattern of linoleum you fancy, it’s time to get the ground rolling. However, for your project to be successful, you must adequately prepare your carpet for linoleum installation. Lucky for you, the preparation checklist is not so long.
To prepare to install linoleum over the carpet, you need to remove anything that can break easily out of the way. It would also be wise to remove your glass frames and paintings before you move the rest of the things – because they might be knocked down. Next, clean your carpet.
You might also need to remove your drapes. If you are getting professionals to do the installation for you, ask them if the quote will cover moving the furniture.
Besides moving the furniture, you also need to disconnect gas appliances and electronics if you want to install linoleum in rooms like the kitchen and laundry room.
Most people forget about the impact their new flooring might have on doors. For instance, if you have a plush carpet, you will need plywood underneath. That will change the height of the floor. Consequently, it can prevent the doors from opening and closing correctly. So as you prepare your working area, check to see if you need to make any adjustments to your doors.
Once everything is out of the way, it’s time to clean your carpet in preparation for the installation. If there is water involved, remember to leave room for drying.
How to Install Linoleum Over Carpet
Installing linoleum flooring over carpet is a straightforward project you can easily do independently. As long as you have prepared adequately, you have nothing to worry about.
Installing linoleum over carpet involves just a few steps. In most cases, the linoleum sheets come with the manufacturer’s instructions. So. it’s essential to follow them to the letter. Here are the general steps:
First, you must measure the room—time to pull your tape measure out. Note each room’s dimensions so you can know how much linoleum you need for your project. You also need to give your linoleum 24 to 48 hours to acclimate since linoleum can contract and expand slightly. You can do this step in the preparation step.
With your dimensions in hand, mark cut lines on the linoleum sheets. Then use your utility knife to cut along the markings. Use a tape measure to ensure that you maintain a straight line. You can use a jigsaw if you don’t want to use a utility knife.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on October 19, 2022.
The next thing you need to do is place your spacers between the wall and the planks. Leave at least a quarter an inch gap from the wall.
Then place your first linoleum sheet in the corner of the room, working from left to right. Continue working down the room until the entire room is covered. Use a rubber mallet to ensure that all sheets lock perfectly together.
Then remove your spacers once you are done. But before you lay the linoleum, use a notched trowel to apply flooring adhesive. Ensure that you apply a uniform coat of adhesive.
If you notice the adhesive is too much, use a damp rug to remove some of it.
Once you lay your linoleum, use a floor roller to press it against your carpet. You can rent a floor roller from a home improvement store or hardware nearby.
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Apply sealant between the seams to prevent water from seeping through the floor in the future. Sealing the sheets also prevents peeling, and the sealant gives your floor a glossy finish.
After you finish the work, let your floor sit for a day before you can move the furniture back. It will also help to avoid foot traffic in the freshly worked area. Walking on the floor too soon might compromise the effectiveness of your adhesive.
Is it possible to install linoleum without adhesive? Yes, you can skip the adhesive if you have a plywood underlayment. In that case, you would have to staple the linoleum to the plywood using a staple gun.
Place the staples around the edges to hold the linoleum securely in place. Since you don’t want the staples to ruin your floor’s aesthetic, use baseboard and shoe molding to cover them up. If you ever need to change your flooring, you can use a claw hammer or flat-head screwdriver to remove them.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on October 19, 2022.