Cushioned vinyl vs. traditional vinyl

[yazz100]

I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on Air step, Earthscapes or Naturcor and what you thought about these products compared to Congoleum Ultima? I have 420 sq ft in my basement. Original floor is asbestos tile over concrete. I want to install over the tiles ( they are down securly).
Thank you

[Barry Carlton]

Here's the lastet post on Airstep:

ceramic over 2 layers of asbestos tile?

Post # 29

[Chris Mha]

You may want to be sure that they are not asphalt tile. Every time I have seen vinyl installed over asphalt tiles it has yellowed.

[yazz100]

I know they are asbestos...how would I know if it contains Asphalt? They are 9x9 and I'm not sure when they were put in. It was here when I bought the house in 1982...they looked as if they were not newly installed. The house was prob built around 1930ish.

[Peter Kodner]

Take a picture and post it. The color may tell us if it not asphalt, but may not confirm that it is (early VA tiles were similar in coloration to asphalt. But all asphalts tiles are dark. If it is predominantly light, it would be VA tile.). If the picture isn't conclusive, you may want to have it tested.

[TFP Admin]

The tile was tested: ceramic over 2 layers of asbestos tile?

[yazz100]

Hello to all. I have one last question...I went to another retailer and found another product, Amrstrong StrataMax. I'm looking at their best quality line.
I know some of you gave favorable reviews for Congoleum Airstep in my other posts ceramic over 2 layers of asbestos tile?, but that seems so cushy...this is a bit stiffer. The rep said it was a fiberglass backing? He came to measure and said they would patch a few uneven spots, but skimcoat wasn't necessary as the floor is in good shape to looselay without skim coat. Room size 24x18...435 sq ft total. The Stratamax comes 12 ft wide rolls so it would require 1 seam.

I'd appreciate any feedback if you have had more favorable experience with Stratamax or Airstep....and if it's still suggested to skim coat

[Barry Carlton]

I have been an Armstrong 'baby' all of my life. That said, I do not like strata max. I do not like the look, the feel, or the working properties of the installation.

For that type of floor I think your quality choices are: IVC (earthscapes, flexitec), Tarkett fiberfloor, and Mannington Sobella. In that order.

[mcbrides]

barrycarlton said For that type of floor I think your quality choices are: IVC (earthscapes, flexitec), Tarkett fiberfloor, and Mannington Sobella. In that order.

Barry, not to undermine your preferences, but we have found that Fibrefloor is the most unstable of all the looselays, it tends to stretch and buckle in trafffic areas if it is not glued down. Even the manufacturer's specs say that their warranty is void as soon as you roll a microwave cart or dishwasher across it.

Mannington Sobella is our particular favourite for vinyl sheetgoods. The Europeans can keep their IVC product.

At any rate, we glue 'em all.

D&D

[yazz100]

Thank you Barry. It's so confusing because every store pushes a different product, which is why I value your opinion. Do you still suggest skimcoat and glue down with the pressure sensitive adhesive?

I'm weighing out cost effectiveness here. I haven't gotten an estimate for Earthscapes, but did get one for Air Step for $2900 (product, skimcoat etc)
I have a great tile guy I trust (did my bathroom) the closer the price gets to 3k (for $3500 I can have ceramic) I wonder if I should go back to my original idea of ceramic which is where I started in my original posts. Aside from keeping costs down (I'm pinching pennies here to do this) I can't help but feel ceramic in the basement is so cold which is why I went to IVC. My basement is not freezing, but it is colder than the rest of the house.

[yazz100]

ok so I've checked some posts where glue down is favorable Geeze these salesmen all tell me the opposite, which is why I don't really trust them. With glue down I know I need to skim coat from what you all have said...back to the drawing board

[Barry Carlton]

mcbrides said Barry, not to undermine your preferences, but we have found that Fibrefloor is the most unstable of all the looselays, it tends to stretch and buckle in trafffic areas if it is not glued down. Even the manufacturer's specs say that their warranty is void as soon as you roll a microwave cart or dishwasher across it. Mannington Sobella is our particular favourite for vinyl sheetgoods. The Europeans can keep their IVC product. At any rate, we glue 'em all. D&D

Hey guys,

Reread my post. I never said I would loose lay them.

[rusty baker]

$2900 is an outrageous price for skimcoating, 420 sq ft of vinyl and installation. At least it would be in my area. $1500 or more for labor, is way more than you could get here.

[mcbrides]

barrycarlton said Hey guys, Reread my post. I never said I would loose lay them.

Our apologies, Barry, serves me right to read this thread over my first coffee of the day while still trying to get awake.
Deb

[yazz100]

I'm sorry...to clarify $2900 includes IVC product, installation with skim coating...they are quoting for 475 sq ft due to floor layout. My tile guy will remove old tile and install for $2900...I just have to buy tile and grout.
I took an extra tile I have and placed it on the concrete part of my basement just to see how cold it gets

FYI: I now found new info from EPA...in NJ a homeowner can remeove their own asbestos tile, or have a contractor do it, although it is still suggested to have an abatement co do the removal, but it IS legal for a contractor without an asbestos removal license...Seems the laws have changed in 2010...just to let ya know just what kind of merry-go-round I've been on regarding info