Originally Posted by
alkalineangel
This is my first DIY with tile, so I want to do it all right. Thanks.
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