Kitchen advice

[UnderARock]

Hello all! My wife and I are trying to redo the floor in our kitchen. It currently has two sheets of something (linoleum? vinyl? I dunno) that's flat. The seam between the sheets is right across the middle of the room. One part of it, maybe 5-6" worth, has started to come up a bit.

What we've been planning is self-adhesive vinyl tile--economical, and within our skill set. We went out and bought enough Armstrong Senegal Burnt almond to do the job. (The overall dimensions are 9 x 12', minus cutouts for cabinets.)

But we're stuck trying to figure out the floor prep. Based on the Armstrong web site, as well as other diy advice places, we thought that if we reglued the bit of seam that's coming up, and used some embossing leveler on the seam, that we'd be in business. But we've gotten conflicting opinions on whether it would be a good idea or not. Maybe we would be better off with some luan plywood underlay... or maybe not. Some people seem to have a low opinion of that.

Another option might be Trafficmaster Allure. I liked the floating concept. However they didn't have any patterns we liked. (We're leaning for toward a geometric tile pattern look as opposed to wood.)

So, is prepping our current floor really as much of a pain (or indeed close to impossible) as some people say? Is the Allure stuff any good? Does anybody else make a similar product, perhaps with more patterns?

Thanks for your advice.

[Barry Carlton]

What is your substrate? wood or concrete?

b

[rusty baker]

The self-stick tile is not a good long-lasting poduct.

[Nick Arrera]

The self-stick tile should go back to the store .. I did a few of them and you have to glue the floor with real glue anyway ..
I would not go directly over the vinyl .. How big is the room ?

[UnderARock]

The floor underneath is wood... I don't know exactly what type. The overall dimensions are 9' x 10', with cutouts at two opposite corners for cabinets.

I'm very open to considering something else, but considerations are a) price and b) reasonable chance of do-it-yourself success.

[Darwin]

The seam that is coming up is a problem. It can only create more problems as time goes by. There are ways to refasten it, i.e. headed nails, staples and such, but the real answer is to remove it. By "it", I mean the layer of vinyl and the first layer of (probably) 1/4" plywood. Assuming this is wood construction. Taking the plywood with it will actually be easier and faster. The plywood was probably stapled and they will pull through the plywood. Just hammer them flat and recover with a good underlay. Rather than the Big Box Stores, go to a local flooring store and they will be glad to sell you a quality underlay other than luan.
As Nick said earlier, the self stick tile is meant as a temporary covering. Professionally installed, it has a practicle life expectancy of only 3 - 5 years if you are lucky.
Your local flooring store can also sell you a sheet vinyl floor that would cost more than the tile , but not that much more for the size of your kitchen. Armstrong has a trim & fit kit, with full instructions, that will help you install it. They even will replace the vinyl if you screw it up , ONCE. Most of the felt backed goods now, including Armstrongs, do not need to be glued down like the floors just 10 years ago. They only have to be stapled or glued around the edges and seams. Even the seam can be done with double faced tape. This takes a lot of tricky work out of the installation.
My biggest piece of advice is to stop at one of your local floor covering stores. I might even go as far to say pick one of the smaller stores, not the big guy in town. He will have more time to help and advise you through your project. If you are going to install it yourself he will still be happy to point you the right way and provide the materials you will need at a good price. There are a lot more options out there other than tile or sheet goods. They may not all be in stock, so allow a week or two for delivery.
If you decide the installation is beyond your skill set, I'm sure he will once again be glad to help. Good luck.

[Barry Carlton]

Darwin has some really great advice!!!!

But there are other options....

b

[cproader]

.........great post Darwin..............

[UnderARock]

Darwin said . . .. the real answer is to remove it. By "it", I mean the layer of vinyl and the first layer of (probably) 1/4" plywood.

Thanks for the tips... the self-install kit sounds interesting. What are the pros & cons of taking up the existing flooring? Most of the how-to guides I've read seem to think you should avoid it if possible.

barrycarlton said But there are other options....

Don't keep us in suspense!

[Bud Cline]

I was never one to condone heaping flooring on top of flooring on top of flooring. One day it will stop saving and start costing dearly.

[Barry Carlton]

Loolse lay fiber backed floor may work well for you. You still need to make a pattern, but the accuracy level is not there. You just need to be short of the vertical surfaces. And with a wood subfloor, you can just nail the loose areas down and fill them if necessary.

b