View of old ceramic tile, just before installation of vinyl floor over it
Installing vinyl flooring over ceramic tile is an inexpensive way to hide old, unsightly tile floors.

Installation of vinyl floor over ceramic tile is an inexpensive way to hide old, worn-out tiles.

That’s the case for Vicky in Kentucky. Her half-century-old house’s vinyl flooring is a dreary gray color. She can’t afford to rip up the tile, and she’s worried that installing more tile over the ceramic will raise the threshold and become a tripping hazard.

The installation of vinyl over a ceramic tile floor can be intimidating, but it’s actually simple.

First, prep the floor. Even if the ceramic tile floor is pretty much flush, make sure the surface is even so indents won’t show through the vinyl.

Custom Building Products has many DIY-friendly floor levelers. SimplePrep Pre-Mixed Floor Patch, from Custom Building Products, smooths and fills minor dips and imperfections and is ready to use, right out of the can. 

Using a smooth trowel, or even a drywall trowel, spread the floor patch compound to create a smooth surface to install the vinyl flooring.

Once the vinyl floor installation is complete, the flooring can’t be removed. The floor patch compound will stay on that surface, so get your placement right the first time.  

Also, here’s some advice from personal experience: Installing vinyl flooring requires you to work on your hands and knees, so buy some kneepads before you begin!

Skip to [skipto time=06:37][06:37][/skipto] for the full segment on the Today’s Homeowner Podcast.

Also in this episode:


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Simple Solutions

Detecting Drafts — Here’s an easy way to determine if cold air is leaking in around an exterior door:

  • Close and lock the door. Then take a lighted candle and hold it close to the joint between the door and jamb.
  • Slowly move the candle around all four edges of the door. Any draft blowing in will make the flame dance, indicating where you need to replace the weatherstripping or adjust the threshold.

You can also use this technique to detect drafts around windows. Just keep the flame well away from any combustible materials, including curtains and upholstery.

If you’re concerned about the candle, use a smoldering stick of incense. 

Drilling Ceramic Tile — Drilling through glazed ceramic tile can be tricky because the bit tends to slip and slide off the slick surface. Prevent that by punching a small divot into the tile’s glazed surface with a hammer and nail set. Then, set the drill bit in the divot and drill the hole. Another option is to place a masking strip on the tile before drilling. The tape will help keep the bit from skipping.


Question of the Week

Q: What are some tips for installing crown molding and cutting the angles for corners?

A: Most importantly, you’ll need a power miter saw. The easiest way is to place the crown molding upside down in the miter saw at a 45-degree angle. Miter cut the outside corners and cope-cut the inside corners. Use scarf joints when joining two lengths of molding together.




Further Reading

Editorial Contributors
avatar for Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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