Can You Put Wooden Flooring Over Old Lino?

What To Do First

First of all, you need to do a little examination of the existing lino. Get down on all fours and do a proper thorough inspection. This should not be a five second glance. Is it smooth and even? Are there any missing pieces of lino? Are there any bumps? Press on various parts of the lino. Is there any place that feels soft or bouncy?

If the condition of the lino appears to be decent, which means no major damages, firmly glued down, and reasonably level, you have a decent base. On the other hand, if the edges are peeling up, there are signs of water damage, as well as an uneven feeling, do not attempt to work over the problematic floor. It would likely be a big regret.

The Subfloor Matters More Than You Think

People seem to forget, but it’s not really about the lino.

In the first place, lino has to be attached to a solid, level subfloor, which means that if the subfloor is good, and the lino is still firmly attached to it, you can work with it. And if not? New flooring will just hide the problem. Down the line, you’ll end up with movement, I creaking, and potentially worse damage.

Especially check for damp. Press your hand against the lino in different areas and see if anywhere seems cool or clammy. Look for any spots that look discoloured and musty. If you notice any hint of damp, alternative steps will be required, and should be the first step.

Height Issues Nobody Mentions

Adding wooden flooring on top of lino will, of course, raise your floor level. It is, in fact, obvious. But people don’t always think through what that means.

New door heights. A step up where the new floor meets carpet in other rooms. An odd look to the skirting boards.

Engineered wood is around 14-15mm thick, and when you add underlay, around 2-3mm, that’s almost 20mm of height added. Make sure you measure your door clearances before the purchase.

Which Type of Wood Floor Works Best

You’ve got two main options: engineered wood and solid wood. When working over lino, engineered wood is the ideal option. It is more stable and less likely to react to a bit of moisture in the subfloor. It is also easier to install floating over a surface.

Solid wood is an option, but also a more complicated one. It needs to be fixed down, nailed, or glued. Nailing through lino and into the subfloor when it is concrete or thick chipboard is the best option. You’ll need to know what you are nailing into.

The floating installation is the easiest. The boards, when fitted, click together, and rest upon the underlay without fixing to the subfloor. This is also fine over lino, as long as it is smooth and level.

Preparation is Everything

Congratulations! Your lino has passed inspection and you’re ready to continue to the next step.

Start by cleaning the lino. Thoroughly vacuum and wash it to get rid of any dirt, grease, or wax. Check the edges of the lino for any raised seams of the lino. These need to be sanded down flush. Any small seams will show through the wooden flooring, and will create squeaky spots and uneven flooring.

Slowly walk around the room and press down with your feet. If anywhere springs back or feels subject, you will need to patch and replace the flooring below the damaged lino.

The Underlay Question

Do not skip the underlay simply because you already have lino. Underlay will provide cushioning, additional sound insulation, and a moisture barrier. If you’re on a ground floor, get one with a damp proof membrane.

If laying your wooden floor straight, lay your underlay at right angles to that. Tape the edges to prevent sheets from over lapping, as you will get lumps in the floor covering.

When to Just Remove the Lino

In some scenarios, removing the lino is definitely the better option. If the lino is already damaged, removal won’t add extra effort, and the end result will be significantly better. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the current lino being the support surface for your new floor.

Lino is often able to be removed easily, especially if it has been on the floor for years and the adhesive has dried out. All you may need is some patience and a scraper. It won’t be as difficult as you think.

Are you going to be putting down solid wood and need to nail it down or glue it? Remove the lino as you will need to have direct contact with the subfloor.

Making the Decision

But, if your lino is sound, level, and stuck down well, you have the option to install over it. This would save time & mess, as you can avoid the hassle of removing old flooring. For floating installs of engineered wood, it works well too.

However, if you are unsure about the condition of the lining, and if there is a subfloor present, then you will need to take more time to lift it. Remember, wooden flooring is a long-term investment, so it is not worth sacrificing the condition of the base you are installing it on just to save a few hours of work.