vinyl floor tile advice

[burraboy]

We have a holiday cottage with a cement floor, currently painted, which SWMBO wants covered with lino. I'm thinking self adhesive vinyl tiles might do the job and allow me to just move one piece of furniture at a time over several weekends. Not having bought or laid these before, I wonder if anyone could give me their ideas on costs, ease and longevity vs lino.

[Batpig]

Dear Burraboy,

I didn't even know you could buy the things in self-adhesive form (a "Bunnings" thing no doubt...), but anyhow, the main advantage of vinyl tiles over vinyl flooring (I don't think they make "Lino" anymore, but I know what you're talking about) is that the tiles are tougher, and less likely to be either ripped by dragged refrigerators, etc. or melted by dropped irons or saucepans. The main disadvantage is adhesive failure (which usually starts with the edges lifting a little), but this can often take a couple of decades. Mind you, if they are self-adhesive, I'd give them no more than 2 years before this starts to happen because the thickness of a semi-dry self-adhesive on the back of them could in no way compare with the "take-up" of a liquified adhesive such as the Pros use... Vinyl tiles are also a little harder to walk on than vinyl off a roll is, and this can really get to your feet and knees after a while if your normal dwelling has a timber floor.

Also, don't underestimate the amount of preparation necessary for good vinyl tile laying. The Pros will often apply a topping in order to get things absolutely smooth before any laying with a liquified adhesive commences. In the absence of this, it's hard to see how a thin semi-dry self-adhesive backing could do the job. In contrast, with vinyl off a roll onto concrete, you just need to make sure that there are no bumps in the concrete, or lumps of dirt anywhere. If the area is large, the Pros will use adhesive underneath it as well.

All things considered, I just can't see how self-adhesive vinyl tiles wouldn't end up frustrating you silly within a couple of years, unless it was an absolute stop-gap measure. If you're looking for a practical, sweepable surface, I'd go for the vinyl off a roll - at least everywhere except the Kitchen, where you'd toss up between ceramic or vinyl tiles (professionally laid).

Good Luck whichever way you go,
Batpig.

[Honorary Bloke]

We have a holiday cottage with a cement floor, currently painted, which SWMBO wants covered with lino. I'm thinking self adhesive vinyl tiles might do the job and allow me to just move one piece of furniture at a time over several weekends. Not having bought or laid these before, I wonder if anyone could give me their ideas on costs, ease and longevity vs lino.

Vinyl tiles may be the go. Generally longer-lasting than lino, though not as cheap. And of course the seams, but easier to install IMO. If the room is square, lino is a great option. If not, the next time someone makes me lay lino in an awkward room will be over my cold, dead body.