Is it possible to put laminate on linoleum. Is it possible to lay laminate on linoleum? Substrate requirements and common mistakes Is it possible to lay laminate on linoleum

Laying flooring is one of the most important steps in the renovation process. Often people wonder if it is possible to lay laminate on linoleum. According to experts, the process itself seems quite real, the main thing is to approach the matter correctly. In the process of laying, you must rely on several important features that will help achieve a positive result.

Why lay laminate directly on linoleum?

Most often, when laying a new floor material, the old coating is dismantled. But this decision is not always correct. This is due to the fact that the same linoleum, which meets all the necessary building codes, can be used as the basis for a new material. Thanks to this, you do not have to buy materials for arranging a layer under the laminate.

When using linoleum as a substrate, you do not need to spend extra time on various processes. In particular, this applies to the installation of a shock-absorbing layer and a leveling base. Such work is carried out in apartments where there are problems with sound insulation.

In addition, it is worth paying attention to such factors as indicators of heat loss. If you lay new material on old linoleum, you can easily avoid this problem. This moment is especially important in those situations when it comes to repairs in individual low-rise buildings. The owners of apartments located on the ground floor face high heat losses.

In addition, you can significantly reduce the cost of additional materials. But before laying the new flooring, make sure that the old linoleum is still usable. If there are breaks in the material or severe damage, it is worth abandoning such an idea. Otherwise, problems may arise when using a new floor covering.

Also, linoleum must be securely attached to the concrete base. If you notice that in some places the material has moved away, you need to firmly fix it.

Thoroughly wipe down the surface before starting installation.

In what cases can you leave the old linoleum?

It is worth paying attention to the fact that it is not always possible to lay a laminate on linoleum. In this case, you need to focus on several important factors:

The first point is the quality of the old coating. Of course, in no case should worn and deformed linoleum be used as a basis for installation. This is especially true for those moments when the surface is not smooth.
In the presence of severe deformation, the old coating must be completely removed. The concrete surface on which the linoleum was laid must be carefully sanded. Experts recommend additionally equipping a polymer screed.
Particular attention in this matter must be paid to the "age" of linoleum. Even if the coating is even and strong, this does not mean that the material is suitable for further repair manipulations. For example, if linoleum was released 15-20 years ago, it must be dismantled. This "age" indicates that the coating has long expired operational life.

Also note that fabric backings were most often used to make old floor coverings. With prolonged use, the material wears out a lot.
The ecological aspect is also important. With prolonged use, pathogenic bacteria begin to develop under linoleum. No exception is the appearance of mold and fungus. Such sanitary violations can adversely affect human health.
Particular attention must be paid to the height of the drops on the linoleum. According to building codes, the indicators should not exceed 2 mm.
A significant point when laying a new material is the rigidity of linoleum. Soft types of coatings are not suitable for laminate installation.
If the linoleum has retained its quality and good appearance, you can safely proceed to laying the new material. Compliance with all set standards makes the old coating suitable for further work.

In what rooms?

Often, people planning to put a laminate on top of linoleum ask themselves the question: in what rooms would such an idea be most successful? For example, such a solution would be quite appropriate in the bedroom, living room or hallway. Experts do not recommend laying laminate on linoleum in rooms where there is high humidity.

Basically, this moment concerns the kitchen and bathroom. Here, the flooring is affected not only by high humidity, but also by temperature changes. In addition, in the kitchen, the laminate will quickly lose its beauty and functional qualities. If you still decide to lay the new material in rooms with high humidity, be sure to use double polyethylene as a waterproofing layer. It must be placed under the substrate.

It should be noted that in comparison with the laminate, linoleum is more susceptible to moisture. And if the material has already managed to deform during use, it is necessary to abandon laying a new coating. Checking linoleum for moisture is quite simple: lay an oilcloth on the surface, fix the edges well. If after a few days drops appear on the polyethylene, you should not turn to such a solution. It is best to dismantle the linoleum before starting work.

Please note that when laying a laminate on a wet base, the boards begin to deform over time. The surface becomes swollen and uneven. In addition, when laying a new material, you must first pay attention to several important features. Decide in advance on the thickness of the laminated coating.

This is necessary so that in the future there will be no problems with the normal functionality of the doors.

When is underlay needed?

Before you deal with the question of whether a substrate is needed when laying a laminate on linoleum, you need to understand what such a base is. To create a thin layer under the flooring, different types of materials are used. Most often, polyester foam or cork is used for these purposes.

The substrate performs several functions at the same time. It is designed for cushioning, improving moisture insulation. The use of a substrate reduces heat loss in the room. Many experts say that even when using linoleum, the use of such a layer is necessary.

This is especially true in situations where the flooring is installed in the bathroom or in the kitchen.

Often the substrate is used in the presence of dilapidated linoleum. Also, an additional layer is required if there are irregularities on the surface.

Modern manufacturers of building materials offer customers several types of substrates for laminate flooring, the features of which are worth reading in more detail. One of the most common options is cork. The substrate made of this material has good soundproofing qualities.

In addition, the advantages of cork options include:

the lining retains heat very well;
cork does not rot even with prolonged use;
insects do not start in the substrate.

In addition, cork layers perfectly retain their shape even with prolonged use. Under heavy loads, the substrate is not deformed.

Often, when laying a laminate, a polystyrene foam layer is used. Like the previous version, this substrate has excellent performance. The polystyrene foam layer retains heat well, provides good sound insulation in the room. Compared to cork options, these substrates have a lower cost.

It is often used to finish the subfloor. polyethylene foam layer. Such a substrate provides excellent thermal insulation properties of the coating. Materials are produced in several types, which differ from each other in the way of foaming.

The advantages of this option include high resistance to moisture. The substrate does not deform even when in contact with chemicals. The polyethylene foam layer perfectly fills the space under the laminate.

The peculiarity of the substrates of this material is that they are used in rooms with a high level of humidity.

But, with improper installation, the layer is able to quickly deform and lose its shape.

When laying laminate on linoleum, you need to pay attention to several important points:

First you need to do the preparatory stages. In the beginning, it is necessary to determine the level of differences, using the building level for this. It is applied to the floor to obtain indicators.
If the level of irregularities exceeded the allowable limits, then it is impossible to lay the boards on the old coating. In this case, complete dismantling of linoleum is required. The floor is then leveled to the minimum requirements. Laying laminate is produced according to standard technology.
If the linoleum is fairly even, but there are damaged areas or other deformations on it, it is necessary to deal with their elimination. The exposed surface must be free of contaminants. Then the surface must be treated using a primer. You also need to putty concrete throughout the level.

When planning home renovations, homeowners often look for ways to save money. To some extent, this article is devoted to this. Can you put laminate on linoleum? To answer the question, you should figure out what consequences will await as a result of laying the laminate on the old linoleum:

how will the old coating behave under the laminate;
how will the old base affect the service life of the lamellas;
whether there will be problems with the locking connections of individual boards.

It must be remembered that linoleum is a rolled material with a synthetic wear-resistant coating and a felt base, which has the function of insulation and sound absorption.

Linoleum does not lose its consumer properties if lamellas are laid on top of it, but unpleasant situations may arise during the operation of such a puff structure. So, for example, given that the vinyl coating of linoleum does not allow moisture to pass through, if water enters the lower part of the “pie”, foci of decay, mold and fungus may appear.

We will analyze situations when it is possible to lay a laminate on linoleum, and when it is impossible.

When can you lay laminate on linoleum?

To determine whether it is possible to put a laminate on linoleum, you need to know the basic requirements for the base device for this type of flooring. In order for the laminate to serve the prescribed period, the following conditions must be observed:

the level of humidity of the base under the laminate should not be higher than 2%;
deviations in the height of the screed should not be more than 2 mm within one square meter. Minor deviations are eliminated by the substrate. If linoleum acts as the basis, its surface must also meet these requirements. In some cases, it is permissible to use a substrate to level the linoleum base, but this method of eliminating height differences is only suitable if the linoleum does not have felt insulation. Otherwise, an excessively soft base will cause the lamella locks to break;
when checking the base for the laminate, the slope of the surface is taken into account. This indicator should not be more than 4 mm for every 2000 mm along the length of the room. To determine whether the base surface meets the stated requirements, a long rule with a horizontal level is used. You need to check even the most even, at first glance, surfaces.

In cases where all of the above requirements are met and no maximum deviations are found, it is possible to lay a laminate on linoleum.

No code

Is it possible to lay laminate on linoleum if the latter is damaged? If these are small holes that do not have a noticeable effect on the height difference of the base, then such damage is not critical. But if through holes, deep cuts, bubbles are found on the surface of the coating, the idea to save on the standard preparation of the base for the laminate will have to be abandoned.

Also, do not use linoleum as a base for a laminate if peeling of the insulating felt is found.

Solution Benefits

Using old linoleum as the basis for lamella flooring has the following advantages:

the terms of repair in the apartment are noticeably reduced. The new floor is laid on the old base, which allows you to bypass the preparatory process of leveling the surface;
the old coating allows you to save on the purchase of a substrate;
the base in the form of old linoleum gives a tangible effect of heat saving in the room. Vinyl flooring with felt insulation is a better barrier to cold air than conventional types of substrates;
one of the disadvantages of the laminate - low sound insulation, is eliminated if old linoleum is used as the basis;
laminate boards that do not tolerate exposure to high humidity receive another layer of waterproofing.

Flaws

The disadvantages of using linoleum as a base for laminate flooring include:

in old apartments, linoleum coating can behave unpredictably (there is no such problem in new buildings). Over time, blisters, waves, and other deformations may appear on the surface of the coating, which leads to breakage of the lamella locks;
if water gets under the linoleum covered with laminate, its evaporation is very slow. On the one hand, this is good in terms of the safety of the boards, but at the same time, pockets of decay begin to appear in the felt insulation of the laminate, mold appears, and a fungus develops. As a result, you have to change the entire floor covering;
according to the reviews of the masters, some types of linoleum quickly lose their original properties under the laminate. The vinyl layer dries out, cracks and breaks, which, again, leads to the need to replace the base under the laminate.

Necessary materials and tools

In order to start self-laying laminate flooring on a linoleum base, you will need to purchase the following materials:

laminate boards (it would be right to immediately buy the entire volume of material from one factory batch so that there are no differences in color tone);
wedges to provide a gap between the wall and the first row of laminate;
cork substrate 2 mm thick, if the linoleum is without insulation.

The master will need the following tools:

measuring tape, at least 5 m long;
mallet or rubber mallet;
pencil;
nail puller. It will help lay the last row of laminate;
horizontal level;
as a rule, at least 2500 mm long;
cutting tool. To cut the lamellas, you need to choose a tool with a fine tooth. A hacksaw is suitable, a regular hacksaw with the smallest tooth, an electric jigsaw. Some craftsmen are used to working with laminate with an angle grinder.

Preparatory work

The convenience of laying lamellas on linoleum lies in the minimum cost of preparing the base. Consider these works step by step:

Furniture is removed from the room, freeing the flooring for inspection.
Skirting boards are dismantled.
The surface is checked for integrity. It is important to identify differences in height that exceed the allowable values. The moisture level on the base is also estimated.
Large dirt and dust are removed with a vacuum cleaner, after which wet cleaning is carried out.

To check the deviations of the surface in height, use a horizontal level. To increase the length of the measurement, it is recommended to set the level on the rule and move them together along the entire length of the room. The results obtained are compared with the maximum possible difference - 2 mm per square meter.

If differences exceeding 2 mm are detected, the linoleum is dismantled, and the screed is leveled with special mixtures. If numerous drops with maximum values \u200b\u200bare found, the linoleum will have to be completely dismantled and the base prepared for the laminate using classical technology.

In addition to height deviations, you need to check the level of the slope of the floor surface. To do this, use the level. If there is no tool, you can use improvised means: a cord is pulled diagonally across the room at the same level from the floor. With the help of the level, the presence of a slope is checked, and its value can be measured with a building square.

To eliminate problems in the further operation of the laminate, the linoleum base should be repaired. Damage can be repaired as follows:

so that the edges of a small incision do not bulge, they are glued with polymer adhesives to the base or attached to double-sided tape;
large pieces of damaged linoleum are cut out, and a patch of the same thickness of material is glued in their place;
large cuts, slots and holes are glued by cold welding. A feature of the vinyl coating is that when exposed to cold welding, it liquefies, after which the polymerization process occurs. As a result, a strong and tight seam is formed in the problem area;
often in the old linoleum coating you can find swollen waves. To get rid of them, you need to cut the problem area at the highest point along the wave, and then glue both edges with polymer glue to the base.

To check the moisture level on the surface of an old floor covering, use a regular plastic sheet. A piece of 1000 by 1000 mm is cut out of the film and glued to the surface of the linoleum with adhesive tape for 24 hours, after which the film is checked. If there is moisture on it, it is necessary to thoroughly ventilate the room.

When preparing the base for laying laminate, some craftsmen recommend completely gluing the linoleum, but this method is not rational for the following reasons:

the cost of work and materials when gluing linoleum to the base is equal to the cost of the same work on laying a new substrate;
there is no need for a completely static position of linoleum;
when carrying out repair work with flooring, you will have to completely dismantle the linoleum and lay a new substrate, which will affect the overall estimate.

Instructions for self-laying

Consider a step-by-step algorithm for laying a laminate on your own on a linoleum base:

Before starting work, packages with boards are brought into the room, opened and the material is allowed to acclimatize for 24 hours.
Choose the method of laying the boards (along the room, across, herringbone). You can read more about these options.
Based on the laying method, the place of laying the first row is determined. We also offer a separate material on the topic.
Prior to installation, wedges are inserted between the wall and the first row of lamellas, which are designed to provide a temperature gap. Subsequently, such wedges are placed at the end of each row and on the final row along the wall.

Before laying, the spikes are removed from the boards of the first row. It is with this side that the lamellas are laid against the wall. Cross-cut cohesion of the boards is provided with a rubber mallet.
The second row is laid with dressing of seams, as in brickwork, for this, the first board is cut by a third or half. Each next row also comes with dressing of the seams; there should not be a coincidence of the end joints. Boards can only be knocked out with a rubber mallet through a bar with a comb.

The boards of the last row are sawn in width, taking into account the compensation gap from the wall. A nail puller is used to rally the finish boards.

Do you need an underlay

After you have decided in which case it is possible and how to lay the laminate on linoleum with your own hands, you need to clarify the last important point - the need to lay the substrate.

When laying laminate on linoleum, the following rules apply:

If the linoleum has a thick felt base, the substrate is not required. An excessive increase in the soft base under the lamellas causes uneven wear. As a result, the lock connections break, and the floor covering has to be completely changed.
If the linoleum is without soft insulation at the bottom, the substrate will be required. The best option for leveling would be a cork substrate 2 mm thick.

Repair work in any residential building involves finishing the floors. Today, for such purposes, many materials are used that differ in design and practicality. Particular attention should be paid to the laminate, which fits perfectly into any modern interior.

But very often, the owners plan to lay it on the old coating. Before performing such operations, you should check with a specialist whether it is possible to lay a laminate on linoleum. This will eliminate unpleasant situations that may arise during the operation of the system.

Pros and cons

Installation of a laminate of any type involves the arrangement of a special substrate that will protect the material from height differences, and also will not allow it to bend much. This layer also acts as an additional heat insulator, preventing cold from penetrating through the floor into the room. Today, many owners are wondering if it is realistic to lay a laminate on linoleum. At first glance, this sounds absurd, but there are people who practice this.

This approach has several significant advantages:

Linoleum is an excellent substrate, as the material dampens sound waves very well. Such an approach will create comfortable living conditions that will not be affected by neighbors from below.
There is no need to lay an additional cork underlay under the laminate. This not only saves time, but also finances. This is especially important if you do not have time to replace this coating with a new alternative.
Linoleum perfectly retains heat. This allows to reduce its losses through the floor, which, accordingly, will lead to a reduction in financial costs. To improve this property, additional layers of heat and moisture insulators can be laid on top of this substance.
The material does not allow moisture to pass from below. Therefore, it will additionally protect the laminate from swelling.

But this approach is not always universal, therefore, if the substance is incorrectly placed, then it can quickly lose its original properties. Over time, this will lead to the appearance of cracks, squeaks, deflections and many other defects.

Please note that some types of laminate can be laid on special adhesive mixtures. This already excludes the use of linoleum as a substrate, since the solutions are intended only for concrete floors.

Base Requirements

Laying laminate requires a carefully prepared base. It should be noted a few basic requirements for the surface to be used as a substrate:

It is desirable to lay the laminate on a base with a flat surface. Minimum height differences are allowed: no more than 3 mm. Therefore, if the floor meets these requirements, then you can mount the tree directly on the old linoleum from above without a substrate.
Surface humidity should not exceed 2%. Therefore, if the linoleum is wet, it must first be dried to prevent water from entering the surface of the wood. Please note that condensation can often form on the surface of the polymer coating due to temperature differences between the floor and the room. This phenomenon cannot be eliminated by ordinary drying. Here you need to use an additional heat-insulating substrate. An excellent option is linoleum laid on a wooden floor.
To check the moisture level of linoleum, you should lay a plastic film on it and leave it for several days. If after this time condensation has formed on its surface, this means that the linoleum contains a lot of water and is not suitable for use.

Laying rules

Laminate installation is a relatively simple operation. But in order to obtain a high-quality and durable coating, you should follow a few simple rules:

When buying a laminate, it is important to consider its thickness so that after laying it does not interfere with the opening of interior doors.
When laying sheets, experts recommend using long and wide panels, as this will reduce waste. Buy a volume of laminate with a small margin, because if you do not have experience, you will not be able to calculate the required amount of material as accurately as possible.
You need to place the laminate along the window so that the rays fall on it in parallel. But if you want to get a unique pattern, you can arrange the sheets at a certain angle.
The first row of laminate after laying must be fixed with special wedges. This will not allow him to budge in the future, making it possible to quickly stack all the other rows.

If an additional cork substrate is used along with linoleum, then it is advisable to lay all the plates across it. Therefore, it is important to take this into account during the placement of the heat-insulating layer.
Installation work should begin after the wood has been lying in the house for a certain time. This is necessary so that it acquires the temperature of the room and adapts to the conditions.
Experts recommend starting each new row (or every other row) with a cut piece. In this way, you can save laminate and create a specific pattern. It is advisable to cut wood only with a jigsaw or a saw with very fine teeth.

Where can I lay the product on the left linoleum?

Technically, linoleum is indestructible from moisture, but this phenomenon is not suitable for laminate. Therefore, it should not be laid in rooms with high humidity. From this it should be concluded that for a bathroom or kitchen it is best to use special technologies that exclude the use of linoleum as a substrate. note that today there is a moisture resistant laminate, but it also requires special installation.

Many experts argue that it is still possible to mount such systems in the bathroom. But for this you need to equip a high-quality moisture-proof layer. It is made from several layers of polyethylene film, which is located directly above the linoleum and under an additional substrate.

It is best to use a combination of linoleum and laminate in a living room or bedroom where there is moderate humidity.

We take into account the nuances

Laminate installation is a complex procedure that cannot be performed without certain skills. The use of linoleum as a substrate imposes even greater restrictions. When performing such operations, several significant nuances should be taken into account:

Laying the laminate can only be carried out on linoleum glued to the floor. This eliminates the appearance of air bubbles under it, and also eliminates the occurrence of drops. All these factors can have a detrimental effect on the laminate, which will quickly fail. Therefore, if you decide to install such substances, you should additionally take care of fixing the linoleum. Please note that if it is not fixed, then it is better to consider using a substrate instead of a polymer product - linoleum.
Only relatively new linoleum can be used as a substrate. If this product has already served you for about 10-15 years, then its use is not effective, as it will quickly fail. This in turn will damage the laminate sheets. Another factor that excludes the use of old material is the accumulation of many bacteria, mites and other harmful organisms under it.

Linoleum must be intact, without significant damage, cracks or cuts. Therefore, before proceeding with the laying of the laminate, these shortcomings should be eliminated. You can do this in a few simple ways. The best option would be to use cold welding. To restore the sheet, you need to cut out the damaged part, and insert a new piece of the same shape in its place. Then all the seams along the perimeter are filled with cold welding, which turns the linoleum into a liquid state. After that, the parts are simply fused and form a strong and durable seam. An alternative is hot welding. A similar approach also involves melting linoleum, but this is already done with the help of special heating elements.

Examples and variants

As you understand, laying laminate on linoleum is a very real undertaking that you can do yourself. This process can be divided into several successive stages:

The first step is surface preparation. This step includes leveling the floor. Please note that if linoleum lies on a surface with large differences, then this must be corrected. Therefore, the material is dismantled, and the entire floor is poured with a self-leveling cement mixture.
The next step is to fix the linoleum to the surface. For such purposes, special adhesives are used. The best option would be water-dispersion solutions that are suitable for almost all types of surfaces. When choosing them, it is also important to take into account the structure of linoleum. Some blends can only bond PVC products, while others are used for thicker options with fabric or tuft backing.
The technology for fixing linoleum to the floor is quite simple and involves applying the mixture to the surface with a spatula and laying the canvas on it. To get rid of irregularities and air, linoleum should be leveled using special rollers.

The next step is to start laying the laminate. It starts from one side of the room near the wall. The first row must be aligned relative to one of the planes, and also retreat from the wall by 1-2 cm. This will allow the material to expand with changes in temperature and humidity. Between themselves, the elements of the row are connected using special grooves. If the length of one board is longer, then you need to cut it with a jigsaw.
The next row fits in a similar way. But at the same time, adjacent boards are already fastened together. For this, there are special locks on their ends. They can be of various types. Some simply dock and tuck in, while others need to be inserted into the adjacent board at an angle of 45 degrees to fix it, and then gently lowered

I must say right away that it is possible to lay (lay) a laminate on linoleum. And sometimes, there is no other way out than to use this material as insulation. Some factors are pushing for this decision: an uneven base, a desire to make additional sound insulation, all the more so, you don’t need to do anything for this, I apologize for the tautology.

Laying laminate on linoleum is no different from laying on any other base, but you need to know some points. In this article I will describe them in detail. And for starters, in order to try to get into the top of the search, I’ll tell you a little about styling in general.

Let's say you've made the decision that it's time to redecorate your room. And we opted for a laminate from the nearest building market. First you need to calculate the amount of material. Usually the margin is about 5%. But if the room is small, then the cost of trimming may increase as a percentage and 5% is not enough.

With standard laying of laminate, with a chaotic spread of boards, for a rectangular room area of up to 15-17 m2, a supply of laminated parquet of at least 1 m2 is required. With an area of \u200b\u200bmore than 17 m2, it is better to take more.

More precisely, you can calculate the required amount of material by dividing the width of the room by the width of the board (it may differ for each manufacturer and brand of laminate). It happens that when laying the last row of the coating, a gap of 30 mm remains. That is, we cut out a narrow insert. Then the consumption turns out to be large, since almost the whole board is spent on ejection. With a room length of 6 meters (about 5 panels), which is equal to 1-1.2 m2. Plus, an unforeseen marriage is possible both in the process of cutting the lamellas and during unloading.

If you're trying to install laminate for the first time, it's a good idea to stock up on an extra pack of laminate flooring.

Laying laminate on linoleum - with underlay

When laying laminate on linoleum with or without underlayment, the entire surface must be carefully inspected. Bending the edges of the linoleum, pay attention to the concrete base. In old houses, and sometimes in newly commissioned residential complexes, cement mortar flows are formed at the edges of the screed - they must be knocked down or cleaned off with a hammer and an old chisel, and then swept and vacuumed. Especially often they are located in areas of heating pipes. However, here you need to work with extreme caution.

What happens under linoleum

If the influxes are large or cannot be knocked down, it is better to cut off the edges of the linoleum in problem areas. Thus, reducing the cement tubercles to a plane with the surface of linoleum. And on top we lay the substrate.

If the laminate flooring occurs on the old Soviet linoleum on the pile, it is also necessary to bend the edges of the linoleum. There are often cement residues on the pile. They need to be removed.

Pay attention to the central parts of the room. In Soviet-built houses, the joints of the plates were smeared with mortar. Linoleum can allow this unevenness to be ignored. But for a laminate, such protrusions, sometimes reaching a height of 10-20 mm, are not permissible.

Substrate flooring on old linoleum

Take a metal rule or a laminate board, put it on the edge perpendicular to the length of the influx.
With a marker or felt-tip pen, outline the place where it is supposedly better to cut off the linoleum.
Cut linoleum with a construction knife. Thus, a plane of about 5 mm can be won at the base.
Spread the substrate over the linoleum.

Of course, this is not according to technology and it is not supposed to lay laminate flooring in this way, but this will allow you to get a relatively acceptable result for the short and even medium term.
It is easier to lay laminate over linoleum here.

In commissioned new buildings, cheap linoleum is most often laid on a concrete screed. Quite quickly, linoleum is deformed from the legs of sofas, cabinets. Waves appear. And the question arises - is it possible to lay (lay) a laminate on linoleum?

The question of laying a laminate on such linoleum should be approached pointwise. During operation, the linoleum coating expands from heating and waves form. At the time of laying the laminate floor, the furniture is usually removed from the rooms. And the mounted laminate with its mass in any case presses the synthetic coating against the concrete screed. Therefore, you should not be afraid of small waves.

You should pay attention to the extruded linoleum from the legs of the furniture. Pressure causes rupture and irreversible deformation. Such flaws are best cut with a construction blade.

couch marks on linoleum

After the procedures carried out, we sweep the linoleum base and you can spread the substrate in the usual way, grabbing it with tape to the linoleum or between them.

Laying laminate on linoleum without a substrate

Linoleum in many ways has the properties of the substrate and can replace it. I was once asked to lay laminate flooring directly on linoleum without the use of an underlay. During the consultation, I suggested laying at least a 2 mm stenophone, but people flatly refused.

The linoleum flooring was reasonably soft and free of lint or felt underneath. In terms of elasticity, it can be compared with a cork of 2 mm, but a little softer due to its greater thickness.

One example of laying laminate on linoleum

I don’t know if there were any problems during operation, but during the installation there were no difficulties. The only requirement for this kind of laying is a good preliminary cleaning from small stones and sand. Both from the front and from the bottom.

Some customers have a question. Is it possible to lay laminate on top of linoleum and will it drip from below?

I will answer the following: A foam backing or one made from extruded polystyrene is also airtight. However, this does not prevent its use when laying a laminate on a concrete base. Therefore, you can lay a laminate on linoleum.

Another important tip:

If, for any of the reasons listed, or your own, you decide to lay the laminate on top of the linoleum through the substrate.

One of the options for combining the substrate and linoleum

I suppose you can use a coniferous substrate of any thickness, as it is solid. But in my memory, it was not possible to put it on linoleum.

Remember that only a flat base and a substrate up to 3 mm thick will prolong the operation of the laminate for the longest possible period. But laying (laying) a laminate on linoleum is still possible!

Family finances, or rather, their absence, constantly force us to look for ways to solve the problem of lack of money. Often this results in unexpected ideas. For example, when installing laminate flooring, in order to save money and time, many homeowners try to put lamellas on the old flooring. At first glance, it seems that this is an attempt to combine the incompatible. How about really? In this paper, we will try to figure out whether it is possible to put a laminate on linoleum, using the latter as a substrate.

Is it possible and in what cases

There is not one, but two problems hidden in the above question:

what will happen to the old coating, linoleum, after laying a new layer of flooring on it;
how the installation of lamellas on the old linoleum will affect the durability of the floor.

Linoleum is a practical, hard-wearing synthetic (mostly vinyl) floor covering with a felt backing. It retains its consumer properties when laying a second floor made of wood, laminate or parquet on top.

The only disadvantage of such a puff cake is that when moisture gets under the linoleum, it does not evaporate for a long time, as a result of which the process of decay begins on the felt, accompanied by the appearance of mold and fungus. Therefore, in dry rooms there is no reason to refuse to use linoleum as a substrate for laminate flooring.

Laminate is a modern, beautiful floor covering that is installed on a flat, solid and dry base. In accordance with the requirements of SNiP, it must meet the following parameters:

surface moisture should not exceed 2%;
height difference of the screed is allowed within 2 mm, which is compensated by the substrate. In our case, linoleum cannot have bumps - it itself acts as a substrate and must level the errors of the floor base (you can lay a substrate between the linoleum and the laminate if the linoleum does not have a felt lining from below). If this rule is neglected, then over time, the existing protrusions in places of intensive use of the floor will squeeze out the same tubercles onto the surface of the lamellas, which are well erased when walking;

Important: the presence of various depressions on the surface of linoleum, for example, traces of sharp heels and laminate furniture is not critical.

the slope for every 2 m cannot exceed 4 mm (2% of the length). This indicator is especially important for places of intensive use of the linoleum floor, where the felt lining wears out and shrinks. It is not recommended to check such differences by eye, since the surface of linoleum always looks even and flat. Here you need to use a long rule to determine the amount of slope.

If these requirements are met, there are no obstacles to laying laminate on linoleum.

Often there are situations when linoleum has defects (through holes, cuts, felt is completely dilapidated) and lies in waves (swollen). Is it possible to lay laminate on linoleum in this case? If the previous coating is worn out, then it is necessary to refrain from using linoleum as a substrate - there is a risk of rapid destruction of the lamella locks.

Pros and cons of the solution

The use of linoleum as a substrate has many pluses:

the time for repair work is reduced - there is no need to remove the old floor and lay the substrate;
money is saved for work on replacing the old floor covering with a substrate, as well as its purchase;
the floor in the room receives a good insulation (linoleum has a higher coefficient of resistance to heat transfer than the bulk of the substrates), which saves on heating;
the sound insulation of the room improves - the old floor perfectly muffles all types of noise;
an additional barrier appears when protecting the laminate from moisture from below.

At the same time, such a technological method has minuses:

old linoleum behaves unpredictably and can be deformed for no apparent reason, resulting in waves (swellings) that lead to a quick failure of the lock joints;
if moisture gets under the linoleum, it will protect the lamellas from swelling and subsequent destruction, but it will suffer itself - mold and fungus begin to actively develop on the felt, which will eventually lead to the replacement of the laminate;
a number of experts express a purely theoretical assumption, which has not yet been verified by practice, that under load and without access to moisture, linoleum can dry out and become brittle.

Necessary materials and tools

To lay the laminate with your own hands, you must have:

unpacked lamellas;
measuring tools: a metal ruler with a length of at least 1 m, a construction square and a tape measure of 3 or 5 m;
level;
rule 2-2.5 m long;
electric jigsaw or grinder with a narrow cutting wheel for cutting laminate panels. A hand saw for wood with a very fine tooth can replace these tools (some novice repairmen use a hacksaw for metal, which also gives a good result);
a set of wedges or a self-made rail for fixing the technological gap;
a hammer made of wood or rubber for tamping lamellas;
a mounting bracket or a piece of lamella with a spike at the end;
marker or construction pencil;
crowbar - with its help, the lock of the last row of the laminate is closed.

Preparatory work

When laying lamellas on the old coating, preparatory work is minimized. Step by step, the entire preparation process is as follows:

everything superfluous is removed from linoleum: furniture and baseboards;
analysis of the state of the surface. During the check, the following are revealed: differences in height; slope value; the condition of the material: are there swellings, cuts, holes; surface moisture level;
linoleum is vacuumed and then washed.

Check how smooth the surface can be with a level or rule. The tool is placed on the floor and moves along it. All obstacles are measured. If the height difference exceeds 2 mm, the linoleum is removed and the screed is leveled with self-leveling compounds (there are no other technologies, except for re-filling the screed). But in this case, according to the editors, it is better to lay under the laminate not the old linoleum, but the classic substrate - its behavior is predictable.

The slope can be checked with the help of a rule and a level, or by pulling the threads (cord, fishing line) diagonally, and then, using a level and a building square, measure the slope. Here the situation is the same: if the standards are exceeded, the base of the floor (screed) is leveled.

Cuts, cracks, holes are being repaired. You can do this in several ways:

at the cut, the edges are glued to the screed or to the double-sided tape applied on the back of the floor covering;
holes and large gaps are cold or hot welded. To do this, damaged pieces of linoleum are cut out, and a patch of the same shape is put in their place, after which the connecting seam is filled with a special mixture. Vinyl under the influence of cold welding for a short time passes into a semi-liquid state, after which it polymerizes. It turns out a smooth, strong and durable seam. During hot welding, the seams are brought into a plastic state by heating devices.

Blisters (waves) are cut along the ridge and then stretched. The edges of the cuts are glued to the floor screed with polymer glue (when using adhesive tape, there is a high probability of re-bloating).

A plastic film with an area of \u200b\u200b1 m 2 will help to check the surface moisture. It is glued to the floor with adhesive tape around the entire perimeter. After a day, the film is removed. If the surface of the linoleum or film is damp to the touch, the room is ventilated until it is dry everywhere after removing the film.

the costs for gluing linoleum to the floor and laying the substrate are almost identical. In this situation, preference should be given to a naturally new substrate;
the functional role of glue is not clear, i.e. there is no clear explanation why this is being done;
no one thinks about the day when glued linoleum will have to be removed.

And the main argument in the reviews of the owners of apartments, among which no one glued linoleum to a concrete screed.

Is it necessary and what kind of substrate to use

At the heart of the idea of laying laminate on linoleum is the desire to do without a substrate, the functions of which will be performed by the old floor covering. Everything is clear here.

But you need to take into account that you can’t lay it on linoleum with felt from below - it turns out a thick, soft layer between the screed and the laminate. During operation, such a floor will begin to creak in a few months, and after 1-2 years it will need to be completely replaced - the lock joints will collapse.

The exception is linoleum without lining from below. In this case, the substrate is needed, but not more than 2 mm thick. The best option is cork lining.

Installation instructions

There is nothing new in the instructions on how to lay laminate on linoleum with your own hands. The step-by-step algorithm for performing work is the same as when laying laminate on a concrete or wooden floor (see articles "" and "").

Recall the main stages of work:

the laminate is brought into the room for a day and unpacked - the lamellas must take a geometric shape according to the humidity and temperature of the room;
the method and direction of laying is determined, which can be read about in the work "";
the place for the beginning of the installation of the lamellas is selected - the hints are in the material "";
wedges or a rail are laid between the wall and the first row of lamellas - a technological gap of 1.0-1.5 cm is provided;
the first row is laid. Before that, the spikes are cut off from the lamellas - the laminate panels are laid with the cut side against the wall. End locks are closed with an insert and a mallet;
the second row should go with a shift of 1/3 or ½ of the length of the lamella in relation to the first row. To do this, the first panel is cut off. The floor joints must have a brickwork configuration. The second panel of the row is first installed in the lock of the first row along the length, and then it is knocked forward with a mallet until the end connections are completely connected. It is forbidden to hit the edges of the lamellas (locks can be damaged) - you must use a mounting bracket or a piece of laminate. In this case, the bracket is installed in the locking joint of the customized laminate panel.

Attention: at the beginning of each row, a wedge is placed to fix the compensation gap.

Before laying the last row of panels, carefully calculate its size so that after closing the locks there is a compensation distance to the wall.

Conclusion

Is it possible to lay laminate on linoleum? Yes, you can. Especially in new buildings, where linoleum is initially laid. The new material has no defects and well levels the height errors of the screed. This is an ideal, but very expensive substrate.

Old linoleum, if its defects are correctly eliminated, will also serve as a lining under the lamellas for a long time.