Flooring Tile - Height of new floor
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CraigHullett
04-24-04, 10:15 PM
Hi there!
My wife would like us to replace the vinyl flooring with ceramic tile in the kitchen. I have about 1/8" of space between the top of the fridge and the bottom of the cupboard over it (and there is no more trimming possible for that cabinet). So, I'm wondering what I can do to find out if it will even be possible for me to give her that tile floor. I've been reading and know that I'll want to make sure I use some good subflooring like cement backerboard, but obviously I will not be able to just put that on top of whatever lies below. I can tell you that the kitchen is over a basement and I'm told that it has excellent support beams that can handle the weight of the floor, but I have no idea about the depth of the subfloor that is currently in place. Do you all have some advice about what I need to know before I start ripping up the vinyl? Is it sometimes possible to replace the current subfloor with something stronger that will not raise the height much (if at all) when the tile and quickset are used?
Any help you can give me on how to begin will be much appreciated. I just thought that for once I'd try to figure out the logistics of a project before I'm half-way into it. By the way--I and my marriage will survive if you tell me that I should just go shopping for a more attractive type of vinyl.
Thanks!
My wife would like us to replace the vinyl flooring with ceramic tile in the kitchen. I have about 1/8" of space between the top of the fridge and the bottom of the cupboard over it (and there is no more trimming possible for that cabinet). So, I'm wondering what I can do to find out if it will even be possible for me to give her that tile floor. I've been reading and know that I'll want to make sure I use some good subflooring like cement backerboard, but obviously I will not be able to just put that on top of whatever lies below. I can tell you that the kitchen is over a basement and I'm told that it has excellent support beams that can handle the weight of the floor, but I have no idea about the depth of the subfloor that is currently in place. Do you all have some advice about what I need to know before I start ripping up the vinyl? Is it sometimes possible to replace the current subfloor with something stronger that will not raise the height much (if at all) when the tile and quickset are used?
Any help you can give me on how to begin will be much appreciated. I just thought that for once I'd try to figure out the logistics of a project before I'm half-way into it. By the way--I and my marriage will survive if you tell me that I should just go shopping for a more attractive type of vinyl.
Thanks!
WorldBuilder
04-25-04, 05:51 AM
I've been reading and know that I'll want to make sure I use some good subflooring like cement backerboard, but obviously I will not be able to just put that on top of whatever lies below.
Why not? Ok, first off, cement backerboard is not "sub"flooring. You shouldn't need to touch the actual subfloor. In fact, IF you do rip out the vinyl, my guess is that you won't ever even see the subfloor.
Do you all have some advice about what I need to know before I start ripping up the vinyl?
Well, the first thing I'd want to know is exactly what is the vinyl attached to. Is there a plywood layer directly underneath? I wouldn't doubt it in the least. Rip up a small section of vinyl that could be replaced easily (if you decide NOT to do it, you can put it back) and see what's underneath the vinyl directly.
Is it sometimes possible to replace the current subfloor with something stronger that will not raise the height much (if at all) when the tile and quickset are used? To the best of my knowledge, you shouldn't even see or have to touch the actual subfloor. Right now, I'd GUESS that you have the subfloor, then a frame floor (1 x somethings) on top, then plywood, then vinyl. 4 floors now!
Ok, here's what I'd do. Look underneath the vinyl as it is right now. If you see a plywood layer, I would rip up the vinyl. Then, I would rip up the plywood. Do not damage the underlying wood floor, if possible. I would replace the plywood with cement backer board (wonderboard). More than likely, there is 1/4" or 1/2" plywood there. Replace it with Wonderboard of the same thickness (or thinner). Lay that down, screw it in, then tile over it. The end result shouldn't come up to any higher than the floor that's there right now. Of course, measure every step of the way and be sure. Also, check out the local hardware stores and make sure you can get the necessary (and properly sized supplies). Most importantly, make sure that the replacement backer board is NO thicker than the current plywood. If the current plywood is oddly thin, you're probably sunk.
By the way--I and my marriage will survive if you tell me that I should just go shopping for a more attractive type of vinyl.
You should just go shopping for a more attractive type of vinyl. :p j/k
Chris
Why not? Ok, first off, cement backerboard is not "sub"flooring. You shouldn't need to touch the actual subfloor. In fact, IF you do rip out the vinyl, my guess is that you won't ever even see the subfloor.
Do you all have some advice about what I need to know before I start ripping up the vinyl?
Well, the first thing I'd want to know is exactly what is the vinyl attached to. Is there a plywood layer directly underneath? I wouldn't doubt it in the least. Rip up a small section of vinyl that could be replaced easily (if you decide NOT to do it, you can put it back) and see what's underneath the vinyl directly.
Is it sometimes possible to replace the current subfloor with something stronger that will not raise the height much (if at all) when the tile and quickset are used? To the best of my knowledge, you shouldn't even see or have to touch the actual subfloor. Right now, I'd GUESS that you have the subfloor, then a frame floor (1 x somethings) on top, then plywood, then vinyl. 4 floors now!
Ok, here's what I'd do. Look underneath the vinyl as it is right now. If you see a plywood layer, I would rip up the vinyl. Then, I would rip up the plywood. Do not damage the underlying wood floor, if possible. I would replace the plywood with cement backer board (wonderboard). More than likely, there is 1/4" or 1/2" plywood there. Replace it with Wonderboard of the same thickness (or thinner). Lay that down, screw it in, then tile over it. The end result shouldn't come up to any higher than the floor that's there right now. Of course, measure every step of the way and be sure. Also, check out the local hardware stores and make sure you can get the necessary (and properly sized supplies). Most importantly, make sure that the replacement backer board is NO thicker than the current plywood. If the current plywood is oddly thin, you're probably sunk.
By the way--I and my marriage will survive if you tell me that I should just go shopping for a more attractive type of vinyl.
You should just go shopping for a more attractive type of vinyl. :p j/k
Chris
WorldBuilder
04-25-04, 06:04 AM
Something else simpler occured to me. First of all, let me say that I am an amateur at flooring, so you might want to wait for a real pro to respond further and either validate or correct me.
If there is a plywood layer underneath the vinyl, you MIGHT be able to tile directly onto that. To the best of my knowledge, you can tile directly onto plywood, just not LUAN plywood.
If that's the case, then I figure that as long as the ceramic tile is no more than 1/8" thick, you should be fine.
Chris
If there is a plywood layer underneath the vinyl, you MIGHT be able to tile directly onto that. To the best of my knowledge, you can tile directly onto plywood, just not LUAN plywood.
If that's the case, then I figure that as long as the ceramic tile is no more than 1/8" thick, you should be fine.
Chris
adanac
04-25-04, 09:34 AM
Do you have forced air heating? If so, remove the heat register in the floor and look in the opening. You should be able to see all the layers of subfloor in there. The vinyl should probably go anyway, and the possible 1/4 underlay that is under the vinyl. Your joist size and the spacing between them, plus the longest span of the joists will tell us more, and we'll be able to give you more information before you proceed. :)