I need some help with completing a small job.
I am going to replace some vinyl tiles covering a small staircase in a garage.
I removed the old tile(there were two layers) from the landing.
Underneath there is hardboard (masonite) with the rough side up.
I want to elevate the landing for a cosmetic reason that would be hard to describe without seeing it.
So I figured on using one seemless sheet of 3/16 or 1/8 hardboard over the top but questioned which side should face up , smooth or rough side.
But in reading other posts some recommend against using hardboard , some say its ok for small jobs.
Help me to decide my best route here considering that this is a garage so it isn't an area that I want to throw a lot of money at .
The tile only cracked at the stair nosing which was a type that has a lip that goes under the tile .
I plan to remove that nosing and use a different type that just butts up against the vinyl.
So making a decision on the underlayment is my obstacle , the landing is like 4 x 5 and I dont want to spend a fortune on expensive underlayment.
Hardboard didn't seem to cause trouble with the old tiles but there were 2 layera and the bottom layer was a thicker glue down tile not self stick , so I doen't know if that helped it survive.
The seems weren't even filled on the old hardboard.
Also with the underlayment I'm reading that I should use staples but I don't have a staple gun.
I have a finish nailer and was intending on installing hardboard over what is there using construction adhesive and finish nails.
These nails from this gun as hard to pull out and leave a small indent so I figured that would leave a surface that wouldnt show anything and wouldn't need to be filled.
I cant see renting a staple gun for something like this.
There is also a small storage closet that has a high step up (it's located over the staircase to the basement.
It has particleboard on the 3 x 4 'floor' , I figured I'd throw a layer of hardboard over it and stick the same tiles down.
I need your input and appreciate your help.
I am going to replace some vinyl tiles covering a small staircase in a garage.
I removed the old tile(there were two layers) from the landing.
Underneath there is hardboard (masonite) with the rough side up.
I want to elevate the landing for a cosmetic reason that would be hard to describe without seeing it.
So I figured on using one seemless sheet of 3/16 or 1/8 hardboard over the top but questioned which side should face up , smooth or rough side.
But in reading other posts some recommend against using hardboard , some say its ok for small jobs.
Help me to decide my best route here considering that this is a garage so it isn't an area that I want to throw a lot of money at .
The tile only cracked at the stair nosing which was a type that has a lip that goes under the tile .
I plan to remove that nosing and use a different type that just butts up against the vinyl.
So making a decision on the underlayment is my obstacle , the landing is like 4 x 5 and I dont want to spend a fortune on expensive underlayment.
Hardboard didn't seem to cause trouble with the old tiles but there were 2 layera and the bottom layer was a thicker glue down tile not self stick , so I doen't know if that helped it survive.
The seems weren't even filled on the old hardboard.
Also with the underlayment I'm reading that I should use staples but I don't have a staple gun.
I have a finish nailer and was intending on installing hardboard over what is there using construction adhesive and finish nails.
These nails from this gun as hard to pull out and leave a small indent so I figured that would leave a surface that wouldnt show anything and wouldn't need to be filled.
I cant see renting a staple gun for something like this.
There is also a small storage closet that has a high step up (it's located over the staircase to the basement.
It has particleboard on the 3 x 4 'floor' , I figured I'd throw a layer of hardboard over it and stick the same tiles down.
I need your input and appreciate your help.