Best floor to go over plywood (on slab)

skinut2234

Trying to make the most of what I need to work with- Original kitchen floor is 1/2 plywood nailed to concrete slab (With 2 layers of sheet linolium on top....)- Taking the 2 layers of linolium off since they are in bad shape- I don't want to pull up the plywood if I can help it (Yes I know it's not the best setup- But it's been that way for 40 years..... We don't want ceramic but want the look of ceramic....
What is my best option?:
1. Clean up plywood subfloor best I can and install Laminate tile like Armstrong Alterna?
2. Remove all old plywood (nailed down!)- and replace with new plywood- then install same as #1?
3. Remove plywood an put some other type of subfloor.

I think part of the reason the 1/2" was put is to make it look more uniform with the rest of the first floor which is all hardwood flooring...so I think something needs to go back atop the slab--
Since we don't want ceramic directly on concrete- that's what gave me the idea of the laminate tiles going on top of the wood

skinut2234

bump!

rusty baker

Pull the plywood and install on the concrete. Wood on concrete is a bad idea.

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Semi-Retired Installer
Installing since 1973

skinut2234

thanks- If I install laminate tiles- can I install backerboard over the concrete to keep tht floor level same as it is now? I'm worried if I take plywood up- the floor will be a lot lower than rest of the first floor

joecaption

No, tile board should not be installed over a slab, sure way to have mold grow under it.
Just use a transition strip.