How to install floor tiles on top of vinyl in bathroom?

[AlbertJaison]

 

My bathroom is 6.5m2 and thought of replacing the vinyl flooring with tiles. I got a quote of 1700 excluding material cost and they suggested they would lay it on top of the vinyl 

[EricL]

Hello @AlbertJaison 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about tiling your bathroom floor. 

Vinyl flooring is a non-porous material which means that tile adhesive will not anchor onto its surface. You can tile over the vinyl flooring if you were to place a James Hardie 1800 x 1200 x 6mm 2.16m² Ceramic Tile Underlay Flooring over it. But if your vinyl flooring has a thin foam backing underneath it, it would be best to remove the vinyl flooring first and investigate what kind of flooring is under your vinyl flooring. 

If it is concrete, then its surface will need to levelled and prepared. If its timber, you'll need to use a ceramic tile underlay to properly tile over your floor. I propose investigating your quote to see what kind of procedure your tiler is planing on doing. I also suggest getting a second quote from another tiler so that you can compare services.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @AlbertJaison 

Thats a ridiculous price at around $260/sqm when the national average price if around $60-$80 which in some cases includes materials. Tiles can't be laid directly over most materials not masonry based. In your case, it would require cement sheeting tile underlay as the adhesive will not adhere to the vinyl. This in itself is a relatively cheap product.

Though it's a small space to tile, there are the complications of a lot of cuts around the existing fixtures adding to the labour. But I am confident, that obtaining several more quotes will result in something affordable,.

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @AlbertJaison 

That would be a yeah, nah I am afraid. For the same reasons @EricL has mentioned. 

My mum has these Winton 457 x 457mm White Marble Self Stick Vinyl Tile - Each in her kitchen and they look pretty ice and have lasted the time.

Do you know whats under your lino? If its a waterproof area then maybe replace with a newer style lino that looks like tiles such as Vinyl Sheet Flooring 

My mum had her old cracked lino replaced in her bathroom with a new speckled blue version and the waterproofing has held up well. The bathroom has wooden floorboards under it I think.

Dave