On Oct 19, 1:13 pm, wrote:
My wife and I are considering installing a new floor in our laundry
room. Currently it is a vinyl asbestos tile floor - we would like to
avoid removal if at all possible. My preference would be to install
hardibacker over a layer of mud and lay a ceramic tile floor, but my
mother-in-law has convinced my wife that the tile will crack fairly
easily (ie: dropping a can of soup). Will this be a concern? Are there
some tiles more resilient that would better resist chipping/cracking
than others? Currently we're also using the room as tool storage -
would there be a better option? The in-laws are advocating a sheet
vinyl floor, but I can't stand the thought of spending MORE money for
what I see as a lower quality product. I can install ceramic tile
myself, but sheet vinyl would require hiring a pro.

Or just go with more sheet vinyl. It is quite an easy DIY job, I've
done several floors.
It's much easier than ceramic tile to put down.

My concern with putting down hardibacker and tile is that you'll be
raising the floor
level an inch or so, maybe more. This will create threshold problems.
Breakage
isn't a problem. There is commercial grade floor tile that can handle
a bulldozer
driving over it with the proper subfloor. Ask at any tile shop, they
can tell you
what is the best grade.