I have linoleum in my kitchen, and am going to be switching to ceramic tile. Is there any way at all to lay the tile directly over the linoleum, or should I tear it up and lay the tile on the waferboard over base board? This is my first DIY with tile, so I want to do it all right. Thanks.

I have seen houses where they put thin plywood over the existing flooring then put the ceramic on top. The only problem might be that your floor ends up being higher than desired. Also, if it isn't level your grout could crack over time.

I would not place it directly over the laminate. At the very least, I would lay 1/4" ply or rock board down over it, then use that as a base for your ceramic.

The obsessive/compulsive in me would require that I pull the laminate and properly prepare(level, fill cracks & seams) before laying down my tile.

Thanks,
Json

Do not lay ceramic on linoleum. You need to lay down a strong subfloor like Hardiboard. /4" should do it but 1/2" is standdard for new installation. The board gets screwed every 6" in all directions and then the seams tapped and filled.

I have a strong subfloor underneath, I was more curious than anything. I had taken a class at a local hardware place, but they never mentioned just leaving the linoleum... so it piquéd my interest. I will be using the subfloor under the linoleum, laying the wafermat stuff to protect the baseboard and then laying the floor.

Well that's the problem, can you lay tile on the linoleum ? Yes. Is it the right way to do it? no.
I have wondered the same thing and have done it in my own house, I used thin set mortar. And a 1/4 notch trile. Its been down for 7years and its all good, I also have a washer and dryer in the room and still no cracks and you know how those can shake the floor.
So I'm going to say yes, to do it, but my main reason for this is if you install backer board whether its 1/4 or 1/2 thick it may be too much build up when you go to slide your dishwasher in, if you have one. You also need to check the frig to see how much room you have to build the floor up. If you have room for the applainces then most definantly use backer and 1/4 backer is fine, we use this on all our tile jobs.

If this is the first time you've done tile here are a few things to do first.

1) undercut all your jambs and casings
2)when you go to install the backer board we use decking screws some will use roofing nails, which is fine also. As far as size goes a roofing nail can be 1 1/2 or 2" , for screws i like 2" . We put a fastener every 6 to 8",
Mixing the mortar, use thinset white or grey. If you have a light colored grout use the white.
3) being your first time id recommend using some tile/grout spacers, 1/4 gap nothing bigger.
4) use a 1/4 trile notched
5)you need you a wet saw, and let me tell you. You can buy the expensive ones $300 and up and they'll do great, but unless you plan to do a lot more its just not worth the money.
Lowe's and homepot make a what looks like a small table saw version for $80, it looks cheap but it will do the job, you want be making that many cuts to need a more expensive saw, in fact I have to saws that cost more than 300 and on back splashes we still use the small one.
6) you'll need some kind of jamb saw. They make some hand saws or dove tail saws that are cheaper than the electric kind, for around 10 to 20 bucks
7) buckets, at least 2. 5 gallon
8)electric drill to mix thinset with. And get a mixing paddle to

As far as where to start you first tile. What we do is find the center in a door frame and either center a tile there or make that the grout line. And set one on each side of the line.

I know you didn't ask for all this but I type fast. Good luck, laying tile isn't all that hard you'll do fine

I also laid 12x12 tile over linoleum using thinset 5 years ago with no problems in kitchen and bath.Just this week I removed the tiles in the bath,half on linoleum the other half on the slab and believe me it was just as hard to break and scrape on one as the other.good luck

I!ve got one question to ask,, ( IS IT VINYL <OR LINOLIUM)?? VINyl you can BUT the other "NO";;; Because _(it has asbestes made in it ;;;;) Talk to epa about it . Around here when we found LINOLIUM we were to remove it and dispose of it by epa rulls.

Any linolium flooring made after 1979 probably does not have an asbestos which was not made ito it but used as a backing. I think would be safer to leave well enough alone and cover over it, if it is in good condition.

TO Jh10863 : I think you need to check on the health results of being exposed to (ASBESTOS) ::::: I for one of millions are feeling the health results of working around it with it , since back in early 60's .At that time we didn't know what could happen to people who are exposed to it (,by Living with it ,working with or around it ) ( YOUR COMENT QUATE:: BE SAFER TO LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE ) ;; AS I said ,(I think you need to do some checking with HEALTH OFFICIALS< AND for good information the (EPA) F.B.E.:eek:

The rest of the quote was "If in good condition".

jh10863::: W hat I was trying to get at was , IM not Sure you understand just how serious that stuff is .allabout and how dangers it is to huma ns life . OR did;nt Know . When I answered Alkalineangel's QUESTION < I JUST WANTED HIM TO KNOW ABOUT ASBESTOS, AND EPA REG.