First vinyl job

I am in the process of updating a 70's style bathroom in my home. I want to cover the gold sheet linoleum that is on the floor. It is in very good shape and would certainly be a good base for additional flooring. My questions are this: The existing flooring has a textured pattern that I know will show through onto the new flooring. Is it easier to put plywood over this (and how thick), use a leveling compound or rip the old vinyl out? Also, is it significantly more difficult to lay sheet vinyl as opposed to tiles? I know that there is a paper out there that can be used to create a pattern then the vinyl can be cut to fit, but I don't know much about the ease of installation.
I look forward to any responses.

 

Go to http://www.doityourself.com/vinylfloors for helpful info.

 

I had Armstrong 1970's linoleum in my kitchen. The installer placed laminate strip wood look tiles over the existing floor. BIG MISTAKE! Within a few months, a white residue was seeping through strips edges of planks. Three different reps came to view the floor. Decision was made to remove both floors. The installer did not want to remove the existing floor from the beginning, because of possible toxins from 70's. Paid someone to remove both floors, (Big job, big mess). The problem it seems, was foundation settled and probably cracked. Never found such a thing after removal. The last resort was ceramic tile and it worked. No more problems. This occurred to a friend who installed white linoleum. Discoloration problem. It's expensive, messy and time consuming to repair this problem. Good Luck!

 

As with any floor covering, following manufacturer's recommendations for underlayment, floor prep, and installation instructions are a must to maintain any warranty. I have read forum posts where posters used floor patch to cover old textured vinyl before installing new vinyl. If you purchase a vinyl with a warranty, make sure this procedure is within the bounds of the recommended installation procedures to maintain the warranty. A 1/4" luan underlayment can be installed over the old vinyl, seams patched, and the new vinyl installed. Using manufacturer's recommended underlayment, floor prep and materials, installation procedures, adhesives, and seam seals will meet warranty requirements.