An increasing number of people are tiling over their existing flooring, but there are several disadvantages to this. Though you may think that you will save time and effort, placing tile over vinyl can negatively affect the stability and appearance of your ceramic tile. Discussed below are the top three reasons why tiling directly over vinyl flooring can do more harm than good.

First, it will not stick well. The top layer of vinyl is similar to plastic and, therefore, it is very difficult to adhere anything to this top layer. Vinyl flooring has an artificial shine and since the base is not porous a bond is difficult to achieve. Regardless of the kind of glue you apply to the vinyl, the tiles will simply not bond well. Some recommend roughing up the top layer to provide a better bond, but this is not effective. After you lay the floor, there could be lifting because the tile and vinyl did not adhere well. If this occurs and the vinyl begins pushing the tile up, you may find that at some point you will need to replace a section of the floor or even the entire floor. At some point, you will have to remove the new tile floor in order to remove the old vinyl. It is a much better idea to save the time, money and headaches by removing the existing flooring now before laying the new tile. There is no mortar available that will stick to vinyl surface with the strength needed for proper tile installation.

Secondly, the floor will not be level. It is very difficult to get an even floor level if you tile directly over the vinyl. It will be nearly impossible to figure out the anchoring pattern which is a key factor in ensuring a stable, level surface. It will also be difficult to insert transitions where the floor rises or the spaces need filled. A fresh or existing sub-floor will result in a much more level surface.

Third, the sub-surface under the vinyl is not appropriate for tile. Vinyl flooring is typically installed on one-quarter inch plywood or particleboard, and these materials are not approved for tile because of the different material composition. If you lay tile directly over linoleum or vinyl flooring, the safety of the floor will be compromised as tile on a cushioned floor is very unstable and can result in cracks. Because vinyl flexes, it can crack the tile and it is extremely difficult to replace a cracked tile once it is adhered. You may very well be faced with the need to replace the entire floor.

If you insist on leaving the vinyl floor down, then you should consider speaking with a professional tile installer. The professional can review the pros and cons with you and assess your current flooring situation. Remember, though, that it will be very difficult to achieve quality bonding and floor leveling, and in some instances an unsafe floor. You could very well spend much more in the end than you would have by simply removing the existing flooring.