Although vinyl flooring is designed to withstand wear and tear better than most materials, there are times when this type of flooring receives some damage that needs to be covered up, or simply needs a refresh. When this is the case, can you put peel and stick floor over vinyl?
Peel and stick tiles can be installed over vinyl flooring, provided the existing vinyl is smooth, clean, and fully adhered to the subfloor. The key is to ensure the surface is free of dust, dirt, and grease to allow the adhesive on the peel and stick tiles to bond properly.
However, if the existing vinyl flooring is textured or has deep patterns, it may need to be smoothed out first. Applying a layer of skim coat or thin-set mortar can create a level surface, ensuring the peel and stick tiles adhere evenly and lay flat without issues.
The beauty of peel and stick flooring is that you are able to install this type of material quickly, with very few tools, and it can fit the budget of just about anyone looking to give their space a bit of a facelift. However, if you have existing vinyl flooring, you may be worried that your work will be doubled trying to take up this material before installing the peel and stick floor. Read on if you are wondering whether or not you can or should install peel and stick over vinyl floors.
Can You Lay Peel and Stick Vinyl Over Vinyl?
Vinyl flooring has been around since the mid 1800s and was a material produced to natural materials that were easily damaged and wore poorly over time. Therefore, vinyl was created in a way that people could have a patterned floor without having to worry about rigorous upkeep, as it was something that was easy to maintain and incredibly durable. However, vinyl, especially older vinyl, can have dated designs and can still damage, which calls for a fix.
If you currently have vinyl flooring, you can lay peel and stick vinyl over the top of it rather than taking up the old vinyl floor. However, the process should be specific to not only make installation easier, but to ensure that the floors maintain well over time with prolific use.
If the vinyl floor that is currently in place is in good condition, does not need any major repairs, and is level, there should be no reason to avoid laying peel and stick vinyl over it. Check for major flaws, fill those areas with a premixed floor leveler, clean the floor of any dust and debris, and then begin with the application process once you have allowed time for a VCT adhesive primer to dry until it has a translucent appearance.
Should You Put Peel and Stick Floors Over Vinyl?
Being able to do something does not always indicate that you should, in fact, go forward with the project. However, when it comes to laying peel and stick floors over vinyl, as long as the conditions of the current floor are in good condition, laying peel and stick floors over vinyl should not be an issue. However, there are a few things that will make or break this process, which could lead to you having to prep the area well, or avoid this type of installation.
As long as the current vinyl floors are free of any major damages, are level, and have been cleaned properly, you should be able to put peel and stick vinyl flooring right over them. However, if damages are not easily repairable, a floating plywood underlayment should be installed.
If you don’t want to lay a floating plywood underlayment above the old vinyl floor, you can take it up, but this will likely be much more time-consuming. Regardless of the route you choose to take, the biggest reason that would prevent you from putting peel and stick vinyl over vinyl floor is a severely damaged floor. Once repaired, you should have no issue with laying peel and stick vinyl over top of the current floor.
How to Install Peel and Stick Floors Over Vinyl
Knowing that you can install peel and stick floors over vinyl, let’s get into the “how to’s” when it comes to this type of installation method. After you have prepped the floors properly (see below), you will then prime the floors with a VCT adhesive to make sure that once you have the flooring down, it isn’t going anywhere. This may seem rather excessive considering the floors are made to stick as they come, but this extra layer offers a long-term hold for your new floors.
You will lay a thin coat of VCT adhesive directly onto your vinyl floors and allow it to dry until you notice that its appearance has become translucent and it feels tacky to the touch. When the primer is ready, you will simply take the peel and stick flooring and lay it directly onto the primer.
If you would like a guide for the flooring, snap and chalk line in the middle of the floor to go off or use the previous vinyl as your guide for how you lay the peel and stick floors. Due to the nature of most peel and stick floors, they do not need room for expansion, therefore, you can lay them right up against the walls without leaving any type of expansion gap. Once you have the floor laid, you will go over it with a roller to smooth and secure the material.
Tools Needed to Put Peel and Stick Floor Over Vinyl
Although this process is relatively simple, as with any other project, there are a few tools that are going to make installing peel and stick flooring over vinyl flooring. Just as important as the tools is being sure that you have them gathered and ready before you start your project. Once you have the proper tools to fit the needs of the space you are dealing with as well as more common tools for this specific project, you can be on your way to better-looking floors.
The tools needed for installing peel and stick vinyl over laminate include a measuring tape, putty knife, paint roller for the VCT adhesive, a box cutter, a carpenter’s square, and either a heavy-duty roller that can be rented, or an extendable floor roller.
Special Prep For Putting Peel and Stick Floor Over Vinyl
The installation process of installing peel and stick vinyl over vinyl floors is incredibly important, but what is going to extend the longevity of your floors is whether or not you have prepped them properly. The first thing you need to do is inspect the floor for any significant damage or surface-level damage that could transfer from the old floor onto the new peel and stick vinyl. This is going to maintain the integrity of the floor as well as create a smoother appearance.
To fill in any damaged areas, fill the spots with a premixed floor leveler and allow it to dry. Once this has dried, you will then need to thoroughly clean the floor of any dust and debris. Once clean, you can then snap chalk lines across the floor to guide the pattern of your new flooring.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on July 30, 2021.