This weekend, my wife and I are installing solid bamboo floors over our apartment's dirty old linoleum floors (I was advised to install over the old linoleum rather than try and remove it, since linoleum gets harder to remove with age).

My question is this: is it better to nail the floors or glue them?

Nailing seems like a faster, easier process (albeit more expensive, since we would have to rent a nail gun and compressor for over $80 a day). But I'm a bit concerned about the potential release of asbestos from the floors. They're old -- likely 40 to 50 years old, and I'm fairly sure they have asbestos in them. Will nailing into them cause the release of harmful asbestos?

Glueing is obviously the other option, but it seems like a more time consuming, less efficient method. Most online tutorials suggest nailing... does the glue even adhere to linoleum? Some links suggest it doesn't.

Also, is it necessary to install an underlay pad, since its over linoleum? Is roofing felt the best option?

Any suggestions or answers to my (many) questions would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!!

-- Chet

Real lino never had asbestos's that I know of. It's the old vinyl and vinyl tiles. It's whats under it that would determine if nailing is feasable or not.

u can nail or glue it...

glue as long as Lino is secure to substrate....give a scour to ruff up is recommended...

if nailing, u dont need paper, however it is recommended to prevent' plasticising..
which would then effect expansion/contraction..between u and I..we never put pper over lino and NEVER hd an issue

its actually a great moisture barrier..=)

Thanks so much for the advice!

Seems like nailing it the best option for us.

Very much appreciated.

Chet

It depends upon what is under the linoleum. If it is plywood, osb, or pine planks nail it. If not glue it, that is if the manufacturer says the product can be glued.