All of the supplies and steps you need for installing sheet vinyl flooring over old tile yourself for a temporary fix.
Favorite project EVER! Okay, I say that about probably 50% of every project we do around here, but this one is definitely up there on the charts of most-transformative-for-least-amount-of-money.
If you’ve been following along on our master bathroom refresh, Robert and I had painted the walls, trim, and cabinet up until this past weekend. But the ceramic tile floor still looked like this:
Even though we had rescued the ceramic tile in our kitchen and hallway bathroom using grout pen in the past, this floor seemed a little farther gone. And since we were sticking with the existing countertop and shower for now (until a real gut/renovation down the road), I wanted a floor that would modernize the 80s beige a little better.
Except I wanted to steer clear of tile paint and the stenciling route like so many DIYers have been doing here lately. With a 3 month old in the house, I wasn’t loving the idea of fumes and I wanted this job to be quick and the install done in a matter of an hour or two.
Normally, if you were doing a major renovation, I would NOT suggest putting vinyl floor on top of tile. I think for a permanent floor, it should be done the “right” way. But for a quick Phase 1 fix, it’s a great DIY-able solution to carry you through until you’re ready for a messy contractor job.
So if you’re wanting to do the same thing to some of your existing tile floors that have seen better days, here’s how we made it happen.
(Some affiliate links are provided below for convenience. Full disclosure here.)
How to Install Sheet Vinyl Flooring Over Tile:
Supplies Used:
- Thin-Set Mortar
- Putty knife
- Medium grit sandpaper
- Broom and dust pan
- Pry bar and mallet or hammer
- Sheet vinyl floor of your choice (We used this one.)
- Vinyl flooring adhesive (Optional: Our floor’s manufacturer did not recommend adhesive for ours, so this will vary depending on what sheet vinyl you choose.)
- Tape measure
- Pencil/pen & paper
- Sharp scissors or utility knife
- Chalk line
- White silicone caulk and caulk gun
- Brad nailer gun (We LOVE this one.)
The Steps:
- Because you don’t want your sheet vinyl to settle into cracks and grooves in your subfloor over time, patch everything in your tile to create a smooth surface. Our tile was in great shape, so I just had to fill the grout lines with thin-set mortar using a putty knife.
Try to apply it as smoothly as possible.
2. Once the mortar is dry in about 24-48 hours, you can sand any rough spots with medium grit sandpaper.
3. Sweep the floor and remove any debris with a dust pan since you don’t want to trap anything under your sheet vinyl floor.
4. Remove quarter round and baseboards with a crowbar and mallet or hammer. Here’s a post to help you with it, if you’ve never done it before.  Set the quarter round trim and baseboards aside to reinstall after the sheet vinyl is in (assuming they’re in good condition).
5. Measure all of the edges around the room and draw a diagram of your room on a piece of paper using those measurements. Never a dull moment with this guy around, even with mundane measuring jobs. 😉
Include measurements of any obstacles in the room as well. We removed our old toilet beforehand (this is a great video for toilet removal with a good tip to prevent water dripping everywhere), so we measured where to cut a hole in our sheet vinyl for that as well.
6. Measure twice and double check that all of your measurements are correct on your diagram.
7. Roll out your sheet vinyl and take a nap. Just kidding. 😉 Well… if you do, we won’t blame you. But at least roll out the sheet vinyl (do NOT flip it upside-down for measuring/cutting in the next step).
8. Use your diagram as a reference to mark your measurements using the tape measure onto the edges of the sheet vinyl to create a template.
9. Mark your lines between your measurements for the perimeter of your room with a chalk line.
10. And cut the sheet vinyl with sharp scissors or a utility knife. After your floor is cut, wipe up any remaining chalk line (Mr. Clean Magic Erasers work great).
11. Haul your cut sheet vinyl into the room and roll it out. Trim any remaining spots with a utility knife as needed as you position it into the room.
12. Reinstall your baseboards and quarter round trim with a nail gun to hold your floor’s edges in place. (This was per our manufacturer’s instructions for our specific vinyl floor, but your floor’s manufacturer may require you to apply an adhesive first.)
13. Then, apply white silicone caulk to fill cracks on the reinstalled trim. And attach sheet vinyl edging to where it meets up at a shower/tub/door threshold too.
It looks SO much better in here now! And that beige countertop almost looks intentional… almost. 😉
But with the mix of warm and cool tones in this floor, I feel like it makes the blue and beige cohesive.
So now next on the agenda is to patch, touch up a little paint, and install a new toilet (because the old one desperately needed to be hauled out for good).
I’ll be painting the door Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron this week to match the rest of the ones in the house that are already that deep charcoal color.
And I’ll be hanging up a window shade so that the whole neighborhood doesn’t get a peep show when we actually are able to use this bathroom again. Ha!
And we’ll be hanging up new mirrors and installing a new vanity light this week too.
I keep debating on whether or not I should hang a long shower curtain in front of this shower door to camouflage it though. What do you think? Cover it up or leave it?
We’re finally in the home stretch over here! And then we’ll be gearing up for our first major renovation elsewhere in the house that I can’t wait to show y’all. Eek!!! One thing at a time though.
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Carole says
January 22, 2019 at 11:22 amThat is nice vinyl. Looks great installed!
Where is it from?
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 10:13 pmI had a hard time tracking it down, but I bought it from this site: https://www.carpet-wholesale.com/item_280216/Rich_Onyx/Grey.php
Dawn says
January 22, 2019 at 11:23 amThat looks great! I’ve been considering getting sheet vinyl.
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 10:14 pmDefinitely easier than painting tile!
Alisa says
January 22, 2019 at 11:42 amWow, what a difference, Lauren! I’m in a rental and my bathroom tile is horrendous. It’s 2″x2″ dingy brown squares that have been in this NY apartment for probably at least 4 decades. It’s a tiny bathroom and I wouldn’t even know how to begin taking out a toilet but would you still recommend the same method with somehow cutting it around the toilet?
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 10:15 pmAbsolutely! You can still cheat it around. It would definitely be more challenging, but it can be done.
Alisa says
January 24, 2019 at 11:54 amThank you!
Tracey says
January 22, 2019 at 11:55 amHUGE difference and it looks awesome! I like semi-permanent floors better in bathrooms anyway for the cleanliness and optional changeouts. This was a great pick!!!
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 8:12 pmThank you, Tracey!!
Sara says
January 22, 2019 at 12:04 pmLooks great! Do you think you could use the same peel and stick that you used in your laundry room over the ceramic tiles?
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 8:22 pmOH for SURE!!
Michele M. says
January 22, 2019 at 12:06 pmLauren, you guys did a fabulous job – that floor looks amazing!
Thank you for the tutorial!
Your fella is adorable, what a good sport. ♥
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 8:11 pmMichele, Thank you!! And, yeah, I think I will keep him. LOL 🙂
Linda says
January 22, 2019 at 12:26 pmLauren, great job on the vinyl. Seeing the heater grate made me want to ask you a question. Do you have any suggestions for either DIY or purchased replacements for those ugly white cold air returns. We have one in the den and one in the formal living area. They are 20 x 25, so really stand out like a sore thumb. I know I have to have an opening and grate but just hate that white slatted one. Appreciate any suggestions. PS – I put a shower curtain in front of our shower because the stainless steel tracks were so tarnished.
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 10:55 pmI don’t, but I should look into something for that! That heater drives me totally crazy. We don’t use ours and have never even turned it on for fear the thing might just blow up. Haha!
Linda F. says
January 22, 2019 at 12:34 pmThinking by putting a shower curtain in it might make the room feel much smaller. Think it would be up to how you feel it makes the room look. The shower frame goes with the other finishes in the room so I think it looks fine without.
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 10:22 pmThanks so much for your input, Linda!
Mollie Reingpach Edwards says
January 22, 2019 at 1:22 pmWell I’m thinking curtain in a wonderful Toile. I have an aversion to glass showers. Just my personal take.
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 10:26 pmI might have to buy a few and try them out just to see. If they don’t work, I can always take them back, right? 😉
Christopher A. Wilson says
January 22, 2019 at 1:49 pmLauren,
That is a great project, and it looks like it came out flawlessly. I also agree that as a phase 1 DIY, this approach allows fow a rapid brightening of the floor, with moderate term longevity.
You used the term thinset mortar. Your pictures show thinset mastic. In my experience the differences are stark. Thinset mortar is a cementuous based product. Thinset mastic is a latex/acrylic based with water clean up.
I used mastic one time to set a floor, and will never do it again. Being water based, I would caution anyone using it on a floor, especially in a water environment to not use it, and instead got with a vinyl cement floor leveling compound. If you chose to use the mastic, I would increase the dry time to ash much as 96 hours.
Again, great DIY to allow for updated feel, while planning the major phase 2 / 3 projects.
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 8:10 pmHmmm… are you sure? The container says “thin-set mortar”. I just used a white mortar, so maybe it just looks like mastic in photos? It’s definitely cement-based. I read the tip from Bob Vila to use thin-set mortar to fill grout to prep the floor for vinyl.
Marty says
January 22, 2019 at 2:22 pmThis looks amazing. I love it.
Cindy Meuwissen says
January 22, 2019 at 8:52 pmBeautiful job! You asked if you should put a curtain rod covering the shower door. because the pretty windows are adjacent, it’s a lot of glass. I’d try it and see if you like it.
Thank you for the inspiring information!
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 10:33 pmThanks, Cindy! I think I might take a curtain for a test drive, just to see. Couldn’t hurt!
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 10:32 pmThank you, Marty!
ANN says
January 22, 2019 at 3:20 pmThe floor looks great, and it all certainly looks coordinated and intended. I would go without the shower curtain..keep it crisp. And, with a tot to care for, one less thing to maintain.
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 8:04 pmGreat looking out!! Thank you!! 🙂
Chris says
January 22, 2019 at 3:31 pmLooking good. The counter top seems to be a part of the room rather than standing out with the new paint and flooring. I think the shower is fine. A shower curtain will make the shower area feel darker and with your new blinds it just won’t fit. It seems a part of the plan so I would leave it alone until your big renovation.
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 8:03 pmAwesome, Chris!!
José Luis Mendez says
January 22, 2019 at 3:44 pmI am remodeling my bathroom and I love the vinyl pattern and colors that you installed. Where did you get it from? Your input would be greatly appreciated. Great job!!!!
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 8:18 pmGood luck on your project. It seems we are tackling the same beast. 🙂 The flooring came from American Carpet Wholesalers.
Jennifer T says
January 22, 2019 at 3:46 pmSkip the shower curtain. More modern without it. Everything is looking great!
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 8:03 pmThank you!!
Suzanne Carrier says
January 22, 2019 at 4:23 pmLooks great. I don’t know anything about flooring but I was really surprised you didn’t use adhesive. Makes it seem so easy. Thanks.
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 10:35 pmI thought that was odd too, but it was the manufacturer’s instructions not to use adhesive. The underside has a grippy, rubbery feel to keep it from moving and the baseboards are what is supposed to hold it in place. It’s definitely not budging. But that bit would vary, depending on the floor’s manufacturing instructions.
Cate says
January 22, 2019 at 4:44 pmLOVE IT!! Do you think this could be applied to the tiles that are really small? Yours are larger than my tiles.
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 10:37 pmAs long as you can fill lines and smooth out the floor, absolutely!
Karen A. Cronk says
January 22, 2019 at 5:16 pmNice job, looks great, and your step by step directions are clear and easy to follow….must be the teacher in you! Your temporary makeover option is such a good idea. Thanks for bringing that option to light. Patience is another teacher trait! In the case of the shower curtain, I’d vote for no shower curtain. Keep it open and light.
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 10:38 pmAw you’re sweet, Karen! I do miss the classroom sometimes. Thanks for the feedback!
Sharon says
January 22, 2019 at 5:34 pmI vote for no shower curtain—that heater is too close for comfort!
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 10:39 pmThanks, Sharon! Although, no need to worry about that heater. We haven’t touched it ever and I don’t even know if it still works. Can’t wait for the day when we can have it gone!
Amber Heywood says
January 22, 2019 at 6:11 pmHow about a barn door instead of a shower curtain you have a long wall before you get to the toilet, and could still put the cabinet there for storage, just roll the barn door behind it. Have you thought about epoxy coating your counters? I keep looking at that as a budget friendly counter option.
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 10:42 pmThat’d be a cute idea but since this is all a temporary refresh instead of a major renovation, we’re going the simple route. We did use an epoxy paint on our counters in our other bathroom a couple of years ago and it turned out great! But the fumes were so extreme that we had to vacate the house for a weekend. With a baby in the house, I didn’t want to subject her little lungs to that. It does work though!
Elle says
January 22, 2019 at 6:41 pmLooks great. I think a shower curtain would look fussy. The shower door looks fine and blends in nicely with everything else.
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 10:42 pmThanks for the feedback, Elle!
Ann Armstrong says
January 22, 2019 at 6:51 pmInstead of a shower curtain, have you considered painting the silver metal black. I saw that done in another blog and it looked amazing!
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 8:01 pmSo funny story… I did that to one at our old house once and it was QUITE the mess. Haha! But I’m trying to steer clear of fumes with a baby in the house right now, and that would require spray paint.
Susan says
January 22, 2019 at 7:12 pmWhat about the window door idea from last house. That is a route I’m thinking of taking to cover shower from vanity. The shower and tub are right against the vanity maybe 4-6 inch gap. I need something of a half wall or permanent piece there to cover the vanity from all the water damage this current one has gotten
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 10:45 pmI wish! But I’m trying to steer clear of spray paint fumes with a baby in the house now. I loved that back at our old house though! Good luck with yours! 🙂
Claire says
January 22, 2019 at 8:53 pmYou make this feel completely doable!! Do you think sheet vinyl could be laid over existing vinyl? We have old sheet vinyl flooring with several small holes in our guest bathroom. I’d love to cover it up.
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 10:46 pmI don’t see why not!
Donna Esmiol says
January 22, 2019 at 9:30 pmLove the changes. I would hang a shower curtain/fabric that is cut smaller width wise and hung to the right not to function but just to add interest. It will darken the shower stall however. I have one on my shower just for décor and I can’t imagine not having it now. Good luck with the rest of the process, I love that this is a REAL doable makeover.
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 10:50 pmThank you so much! I might try that! We thankfully have a light right above the shower, so that does help.
Denise says
January 22, 2019 at 9:38 pmGuess I’m in the minority but I vote for a shower curtain. The current door is not especially high end and, in fact, is rather cheap looking (lol only saying that cause I know you didn’t choose it). Love the idea of a barn door but are you really going to go thru the trouble and expense for a stop gap measure?
Lauren says
January 22, 2019 at 10:52 pmI think I might spring for a couple of curtains and try them out just to see. Can’t hurt! I can’t always take them back. 😉 Thanks, Denise!
Junette says
January 23, 2019 at 1:02 amWow! It looks great!
We also just installed sheet vinyl flooring in our Master Bedroom, and it is amazing how something so quick and easy can transform a room so completely!
Lauren says
January 23, 2019 at 8:36 pmThank you, Junette!! My thoughts completely!!
Nancy says
January 23, 2019 at 4:52 amLove the vinyl floor. I also really like the wrought iron painted doors in your home. Paint that bathroom door first before you go out and buy a shower curtain. The dark door will be perfect with the vinyl floor but may clash a bit with vanity color. Your posts are not only creative but inspirational. You have motivated me to paint my bathroom. Last fall, I made the botanical prints you posted for my dining room and I laid vinyl tile in my small half bath. I got a lot of compliments on both projects thanks to you.
Lauren says
January 24, 2019 at 9:52 amI’m so glad to hear that, Nancy! And thanks for the feedback. 🙂
Miche Ortega says
January 23, 2019 at 9:04 amLauren, the floor looks amazing. I would consider hanging a curtain, but I just love fabric on anything. Also, my last home had a heater in the wall in all the rooms, and I painted them the color of the wall. It wasn’t a perfect fix, but did camouflage them a bit. Just an idea. Thanks for sharing, and your husband is a keeper! Can’t wait to see the end result.
Lauren says
January 24, 2019 at 9:51 amYes! After looking at it, I’m going back and painting ours too. We don’t use it so I’ll do whatever I can to cover it up.
sharon says
January 23, 2019 at 9:43 amLooks amazing! Totally changed the feel of the room. Thank you for your post, I love your honest approach to
the level of difficulty and possible pitfalls when you guys tackle something. Your room looks so nice, it will definitely make the gut job something you can wait for.
Hillary says
January 23, 2019 at 11:20 amI am SO obsessed with this flooring! Great find!!
http://www.paperandvine.com
Jana says
January 23, 2019 at 5:49 pmI really love all the posts about remodeling your new house, you have exquisite taste!
Lauren says
January 23, 2019 at 8:33 pmJana, thank you!!
Julie Briones says
January 25, 2019 at 6:37 pmLooks amazing, Lauren! I can’t believe that sheet vinyl may be making a come-back! 😉 My dad was one of the first salesmen to ever sell sheet vinyl! LOL! And, I say use a shower curtain! (I thought your hubby was exhausted from the long baby nights again! How’s the colic going?)
Lauren says
January 26, 2019 at 9:24 pmThank you, Julie! That’s too funny about your dad. Seems like if you hang around long enough, everything comes back in style eventually. Haha! Baby is doing MUCH better. She’s still not a champ sleeper, but we have her on probiotic drops and Zantac now and that has made a world of difference. We’re tired, but it’s now normal baby tired, not colic on-the-brink-of-a-nervous-breakdown tired. 😉
Kris says
January 26, 2019 at 1:31 pmLove the flooring! Now I want to try some in our entryway! I agree with painting the heater to help it blend in. Also, yes, at least try a few shower curtains to see what you think. If you choose a lighter color, I don’t think it will seem dark in your room. I’m not a fan of older style glass shower doors–seems like they are hard to keep looking clean and nice. But that’s just my take on it!
Lauren says
January 26, 2019 at 7:57 pmKris, Thank you!
Debbie says
January 29, 2019 at 9:41 amSuch a super idea and it looks flawless. Just wondering though what the floor looks like at the entrance. Is there a trim or transition piece between the two different floors . Thanks for sharing your very beautiful home with us.
Lauren says
January 30, 2019 at 10:55 amDebbie, there is a wood panel at the thresh hold. The vinyl sheets are so easy to cut. I cut the flooring to line up right along the entry.
Crystal says
January 29, 2019 at 10:26 amThis looks great! Have you thought about removing the glass door and track all together? My husband did this to ours and I was hesitant, but it made the shower feel so much bigger! There is some type of compound that you can buy and have tinted to fill the holes. Each time I clean the shower I’m amazed that I can’t even see the compound, and it’s been two years!
Emma W. says
February 1, 2019 at 11:32 pmVery nice! Going to lay a checkered floor in my little vintage camper using your tips! XO
Lauren says
February 3, 2019 at 10:17 pmOh, how FUN!!
kristine says
February 7, 2019 at 10:50 amYou’re brave to slap a new floor over the old! Just for readers to know – most contractors will charge you more if they have to pull up multiple layers of flooring. Of course, if you’re doing it yourself, you’ll just mumble a bit more..hehe.
I agree it’s a cheap fix and does wonders though. We did this same thing to a small mudroom on one of the first houses we flipped, and I always regretted it. Only, cuz I heard the new owners weren’t happy to have to yank it off, only to find the original tile that still needed chipping off! oops..! And I agree, keep the shower door – no one sees it but you guys. If you want to take it off cuz it’s an obstacle, then do it. But cosmetically, it looks fine. In our present house guest bath, we simply took the doors off the track and I put up a curved rod and curtain. And only cuz the shower was so small and I felt claustrophobic in it. To each, his/her own. 🙂
Lauren says
February 7, 2019 at 3:00 pmHaha! Yep, we’re definitely aware. The great thing about this particular vinyl though is that you’re not supposed to use adhesive, so it won’t really require any extra effort to pull it up. 🙂 And this is only temporary for a year or two until we do a full gut job in here. If this were a flip for resell, we would go the more pricey correct way of doing it by pulling up and replacing the old tile with new tile.
Rachel says
May 20, 2019 at 11:53 amHi Lauren! I am hoping to buy the same sheet vinyl and install it in our bathroom! Where did you find that this manufacturer said not to use adhesive? I’m trying to learn how to find that information! Did you call them or is it in the product information somewhere? Thank you!
Charlene says
March 20, 2019 at 3:52 pmLauren do you think you can use the same vinyl sheet over linoleum?
Lauren says
March 20, 2019 at 9:08 pmYES!!!
Lauren says
March 20, 2019 at 11:46 pmAs far as I know, yes!
Angela at Simply Beautiful By Angela says
March 24, 2019 at 11:25 pmI absolutely love this! You’ve actually inspired me to tackle a refresh on our master as well to tide ur over until we can do a full gut job. I plan on doing the same floor but am wondering what you used at next to the shower? You mentioned vinyl edging but I’m not sure what that is! Do you by chance have a link for what you used? Thank you so much!