Install Vinyl Sheet or Fiber Sheet Flooring (no glue required) in Bathroom?

[Nir]

Hi,
I asked a question on the topic but not this specific one:
I have a dilemma which flooring to install instead of an existing old vinyl sheet in bathroom - Another vinyl sheet or fiber flooring which is also one sheet but no glue required with fiber flooring (so easier to replace in the future if needed)?

Please note: currently there are already 2 layers of vinyl sheet there glued one on top of the other. my handyman thinks he can glue a third layer there and there will be no issues but another guy thinks I shouldn`t put a third layer but rather remove the exiting ones first IF i put vinyl. So.. there is apparently more work/money needed if i remove old vinyl compared to fiber flooring although the fiber sheet itself is more expensive.. because there will be less work. what do you think - Vinyl or Fiber?
Please note: it is a rental property in a rough area so definitely no fancy tiles needed or something like that. I only debate between the 2 options mentioned - Fiber or Vinyl(?) THANKS.

 

[housedoc]

As a handyman I have done plenty of similar repairs.
I think you know your answer.
Since you don`t seem to care about `best practice`, which would be to remove the old material, then you should just lay the cheapest stuff over top. As long as you don`t have issues with water damage, mold, dirt, or any loose spots in the first 2 layers (good luck with that), then your 3rd (cheap) layer should be good enough for the "rough" tenant(s) that will just proceed to ruin it anyway.
Seems like saving money NOW is more important to you than possibly saving a bit of labour in the future. But, covering over problems is almost always more costly in the future.

 

[NathanS]

QUOTE (housedoc @ Dec 30 2008, 08:26 AM) As a handyman I have done plenty of similar repairs.
I think you know your answer.
Since you don`t seem to care about `best practice`, which would be to remove the old material, then you should just lay the cheapest stuff over top. As long as you don`t have issues with water damage, mold, dirt, or any loose spots in the first 2 layers (good luck with that), then your 3rd (cheap) layer should be good enough for the "rough" tenant(s) that will just proceed to ruin it anyway.
Seems like saving money NOW is more important to you than possibly saving a bit of labour in the future. But, covering over problems is almost always more costly in the future.


Well said housedoc!

I have worked with the floating lino before and it is a very easy product to work with. you need to make sure though that all of the base trim is tight against the floor and you silicone well around the tub/shower otherwise you are going to have problems with it lifting and curling.

In this situation the right thing to do using either product is to remove the old sheet vinyl and likely the subfloor and start with fresh k-board subfloor. Your best bet at that point would be a traditional glue down lino. If the vinyl is needing to be replaced for a third time you likely have some rotten wood underneath of it and are only covering up a problem that is going to get more and more expensive to fix the longer it goes without being properly addressed. A decent handy man should be able to complete this entire job including replacing the subfloor in a 1 - 1.5 days at the very most 2.

Also a quick recomendation if you have rough tenants that don`t seem to care so much for your property I would recomend wiring the bathroom light and the bath fan into the same switch so that you know the moisture in the air is being properly handled during showers baths etc.

 

[Nir]

Thank you both for the input.

I simply asked the question in order to understand what is better - Fiber flooring (no glue) or Vinyl flooring (gluing required) ?

I appreciate your feedback but to be honest I am not sure you answered this question

Regards,
Neil

 

[MarkHealy]

Just some information
Fiber floor is the fastest growing segment of the flooring market (othre segments are mature)
Also a third layer of lino is NEVER recommended if you want your floor to last, too much flection in the layers
You can put new layer of sub floor over 2 layers of lino and install a new "sheet vinyl" floor (think of a ladder for getting over the transition)
Possible problems are that the first or second layer of lino may contain asbestos which WCB says commercial firms can`t "disturb the matrix that they are in" (it`s in stipple too but no one seems worried about that)
As an owner you can remove it (it is most dangerous air bourne, so if it`s powdery big problem, solid not so big a problem) although this may not be the best idea

But as was mentioned with all maintenance, waiting to fix it right rarely saves money - pay me now or pay me latter