Vinyl Tile -- Close Encounters of the Worst Kind - Ceramic Tile Advice Forums

quinocampa · 11-06-2009, 01:15 PM

First, let me say I do not want any advice on correct installation. My wife wants to put down some el cheapo vinyl tile squares temporarily in her workspace. It's a new loft construction within our home for which we haven't yet installed engineered hardwood floor. Right now, it's just OSB. Vinyl will be easier to clean and less worrisome (splinters) for her and the kids to walk on barefooted until we've cash in hand for the wood.

So the question -- I want it to go down with no prep, just peel and stick to the OSB. Within a year, we'll pull it back off and install the hardwood. Will I have any real problem getting it to stick now, or getting it to come up later? I don't want to have to scrape, or have bits and scraps break off, or to damage the OSB underneath. Will these be easy-on, easy-off?

Edthedawg · 11-06-2009, 01:20 PM

Easy on - yes.

Pain in the @ss to remove - yes again.

I used 'em in my kitchen years ago. they do suck. the glue stays very gloppy - kinda like butyl tape.

quinocampa · 11-06-2009, 01:37 PM

Is there anything I can do to minimize the uptake troubles? Can't really float them like engineered hardwood.

Edthedawg · 11-06-2009, 01:42 PM

plan on adding another 1/2" ply layer screwed down before your hardwood?

i assume you're talking about the floor ultimately being a laminate, floating floor? that being the case, perhaps you could simply lay red rosin paper down over the scraped-up peel-and-stick adhesive, then set your next floor over that. least, i think that'd work

quinocampa · 11-06-2009, 02:01 PM

I wouldn't add 1/2" ply if I didn't have to. I guess that's another forum I'll have to join.

I would use wood, rather than laminate. I'm a "real material" snob. Inkjet wood grain isn't my bag. But yeah, if I can apply the underlayment after pulling the vinyl, that's what I'll do. If there is too much sticky residue, I'm going to have trouble repositioning or smoothing out the underlayment. That's why I hope to minimize any goo left behind. I don't think I have much choice here, just deal with the inevitable.

DRB · 11-06-2009, 02:24 PM

If this is temp could you just use cheap sheet vinyl and glue in a few spots?

DRB

quinocampa · 11-06-2009, 04:09 PM

Maybe sheet would've been a better idea. However, my wife already bought the squares she needed (before asking if it was a good idea

). Also, maybe sheet would not lay flat? Dunno how much glue is req'd before it's flat. Finally, the room dimensions are real weird because of it being a loft built into a pre-existing volume above our kitchen. Still, would've been worth exploring, I think you're right.

ob1kanobee · 11-06-2009, 04:18 PM

you might be able to staple some roofing felt down and set them on top of that.

When you get ready to remove it will be easy......

matman · 11-06-2009, 06:07 PM

Can you bring the tiles back? If you can, do a loose lay vinyl no glue, it will stay put well enough, even a remnant throw carpet. Anything but glue it down if it is only to be temporary, its gonna cause you a lot of extra work to remove it

scuttlebuttrp · 11-06-2009, 06:43 PM

Just looselay 1/4" luan/ stick tiles. Easy to remove. Maybe a couple staples if you have a seam.

william35453 · 11-07-2009, 12:11 AM

when i've used that stuff, it's come off all by itself in a couple of years

Kman · 11-07-2009, 04:08 AM

I'd find the cheapest 1/4" underlayment available and staple it down. It'll come up very easily.

But....sticking the vinyl tiles directly to OSB, I would bet they'll come off pretty easily in a year. Most of that stuff I've seen comes right up with no problem. The only exception might be if you have something very heavy sitting on it. Those areas might stick pretty well.

happy · 11-12-2009, 08:27 PM

put down the tile if your going to put down wood later you'll have to put down tar paper for sqeaking purposes anyway this would be the most cost effective

quinocampa · 11-12-2009, 08:46 PM

Thanks to all of you that weighed in. This thread was a bit more lively than I expected! I liked the roofing felt and staple idea pretty well, but did nothing. My wife finished applying the squares and it actually looks pretty decent. We'll certainly take them up when we get the hardwood (famous last words, heh...) She pledged to do all the scraping where necessary, so that's all I needed to hear. I have a bathroom to finish, then a bedroom floor to install, can't worry about her space.