Vinyl tiles in bathroom -- need 1/4" plywood or direct on subfloor?

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by Mystery123

Thanks for info.
Wife said no to tiles.
Says they feel too cold so I'm back to vinyl/linoleum tiles or sheet.

The only opinion that should matter. (But you can put electric radiant heat underneath tile )

We are in the process of building right now and had hot water in floor radiant installed in the entire house. I can't wait to walk on warm tile in the middle of winter.

[Mystery123]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

The only opinion that should matter. (But you can put electric radiant heat underneath tile )

We are in the process of building right now and had hot water in floor radiant installed in the entire house. I can't wait to walk on warm tile in the middle of winter.

Good for you but we don't have plan for radiant heat so have to put 1/4" underlay plywood and then vinyl or linoleum on top.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by Mystery123

Good for you but we don't have plan for radiant heat so have to put 1/4" underlay plywood and then vinyl or linoleum on top.

Happy wife, happy life. You're doing the right thing.

[nightbird47]

Originally Posted by Mystery123

Good for you but we don't have plan for radiant heat so have to put 1/4" underlay plywood and then vinyl or linoleum on top.

I have peel and stick tiles in my bathroom and kitchen. Definately use an adhesive but make SURE the floor is level. The vinyl will crack if there are ridges. And have a strip to put on the edge by the door to keep feet walking in and out from tearing the edge by the door.

It won't keep it warm but a good layer of cold and moisture barrier under the plywood will help it be less cold. If the air is cold the vinyl will get cold too. So will linoleum.

That was put in my laundry room. I have enough tile to cover it up and plan to. The surface has all these tiny pits and by an outside door with dirt and grass outside it the dirt is very hard to get out and sometimes won't come out of these little pits. The really nice thing about vinyl tile is its very smooth and easy to keep clean.

If you use the tiles, lay a row of them with the adhesive and back your way out if you can. If you can't, then take a break if you have to walk on them with the extra adhesive as they will slip until it sets. I just did the whole kitchen floor over and there was a lot of down time.

If you use the thin plywood, get a good stapler and the 1 1/8 inch brads. Make sure all endges and anywhere it bows up are flattened first. You can use a hammer to knock them in. The tiles will split if they are on a seam where with moisture the plywood has bowed. Just fasten it down with the brads on the edges and a few in the middle and they are a good choice for a wet area. But don't try to put them directly on the existing floor if it requires leveling. The plywood isn't expensive and you don't look like you are dealing with much space so its not an expensive investment. You can also use the hardboard which is reccomended for ceramic but the other with staples should work fine.

Good luck. It sounds like more work than it really is.

The adhesive can be messy and be prepared. When it gets on the outside they sell stuff which smells horrible you can use on it. I discovered half vinegar and half water and a little time for it to soften also works and is cheaper and less odorous.

[Mystery123]

Originally Posted by nightbird47

I have peel and stick tiles in my bathroom and kitchen. Definately use an adhesive but make SURE the floor is level.

Thanks for informative post.
If you used peel and stick, what's the need of adhesive?
Don't they already have adhesive back?

Also, do I have to leave some space between the wall and plywood?
I have a hand saw so thinking I'll cut the plywood at HD or Lowes and bring them home.