Is it OK to put new flooring over old tile?

Author: Loy Rolfson  |  Last update: Sunday, June 8, 2025

Installing new flooring over existing tiles is a fantastic option for many homeowners. It offers a quick and budget-friendly solution to transform your space. Whether you choose luxury vinyl, laminate, engineered hardwood, or carpet, each option has benefits.

Can you put new flooring over existing tile?

You can install a new tile floor over an existing one, but it's important to ensure the old tiles are securely bonded and the surface is level. You'll need to clean the old floor thoroughly, repair any damaged tiles, and possibly use a bonding primer or mortar to ensure good adhesion.

How can I cover my tile floor without removing it?

Use Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl planks are easy to install over existing tiles because they simply need a flat surface to cling to. Old, clean tiles will do just as well as the underside of your flooring. Vinyl flooring has several unique benefits, the primary one being durability.

Should I remove tile before installing vinyl plank flooring?

Any cracks or chips in your ceramic tile can also create problems with laying the new flooring on top. We recommend repairing any of these issues before installation. If your existing floor has any of these issues that cannot easily be fixed, removing the tile before installing the new vinyl plank is best.

What kind of flooring can you put over tile?

Covering existing floor tiles can be done in a few different ways. The most common way is to install carpet, sheet vinyl, or laminate over the top of the tiles. This requires preparing the surface by cleaning and removing any loose material before laying down an appropriate underlayment for cushioning and support.

I Have Been Laying Tiles For 30 Years, But Never Seen Such Technique

What is the best flooring to go over tiles?

Installing new flooring over ceramic tiles is a practical and affordable way to update your home's interior design. Luxury Vinyl Tile, laminate flooring, and engineered wood flooring are all excellent options for installing over ceramic tile.

Is it better to remove tile before installing laminate flooring?

Can you put laminate over a tiled floor? It's possible to place laminate over tile, provided that the surface is solid and without any breaks or loosened sections. You need to use a moisture barrier and ensure there is enough clearance around the edges of your room for an expansion gap between flooring materials.

Is it a good idea to put vinyl flooring over tile?

If you're looking for a quick, cost-effective way to get low-maintenance flooring and update your old tile, laying luxury vinyl planking over your existing tile floors just makes sense. If you have time and the budget, you might like the notion of removing the old tile and installing new flooring better.

How much does it cost to replace tile with LVP?

The Average Cost

Overall, be prepared to spend anywhere from $2 to $7 per square foot for LVP installation. Remember, that's just the average – different factors can make it more or less expensive: Simple installation: If your floor is level and the room is a basic shape, count on about $1.50 to $3 per square foot.

Should I remove toilet before installing vinyl plank flooring?

If you are installing vinyl planks in a bathroom, you may need to temporarily remove the toilet, or you can install around it. If the subfloor is not level, you can fix low spots with a self-leveling product and sand or grind down high spots. Tip: Do not try to sand down old vinyl flooring, as it may contain asbestos.

What is the best way to cover existing tile?

6 ways to upgrade your flooring without removing tiles
  1. Use Vinyl Flooring. Vinyl flooring is available in the form of luxury vinyl flooring and traditional vinyl flooring. ...
  2. Roll out Rugs and Carpets. ...
  3. Install Laminated Wooden Flooring. ...
  4. Opt for an Epoxy coating. ...
  5. Choose Artificial Grass. ...
  6. Just Clean the Tiles.

How to make an old tile floor look better?

How to update old tile floors: 4 tips
  1. Clean with a surface or grout cleaner. If your tiles aren't damaged and simply need a bit of TLC, clean them with some grout cleaner, surface cleaner and a lot of elbow grease. ...
  2. Roll out a rug or carpet. Another easy way to update your old tiles is to buy a rug. ...
  3. Vinyl flooring. ...
  4. Paint.

How do I update an old tile?

  1. Use Tile Stickers and decals:
  2. Use Tile Paint:
  3. Tile Grout Pens:
  4. Grout Renewal.
  5. Use Contact Paper:
  6. Cover with a Wood or Metal Paneling:
  7. Use Concrete Plate to Cover Your Kitchen Tiles.
  8. Consider Using Brick Panels.

Is it okay to put laminate flooring over tile?

If the tile is in decent shape, without being loose or having cracks, you can lay laminate flooring over tiles. If they are loose or cracked, it's inadvisable.

Is it OK to lay new flooring over old flooring?

While you can successfully install certain types of flooring over old surfaces, doing so often comes with risks like uneven surfaces, potential moisture issues, and door clearance problems.

What is hybrid flooring?

What is Hybrid Flooring? Hybrid flooring is a mix of two popular types of flooring - laminate and vinyl. Vinyl and laminate are blended together to make a durable and hard-wearing flooring option. On its own - laminate flooring is prone to swelling as it is not waterproof.

How much does it cost to install 1000 square feet of LVP floors?

The cost of luxury vinyl planks and tile ranges between $2 to $9 per square foot while labor costs range between $1 and $5 per square foot, totaling $3 to $14 per square foot. As such, you can expect to pay between $3,000 and $14,000 to install luxury vinyl floors in a 1,000-square-foot area.

What is the life expectancy of LVP flooring?

Its thickness ranges from 0.3mm to 0.7mm. Thinner layers (0.3mm) are expected to last 10 to 15 years, while thicker layers (0.5mm to 0.7mm) can extend the flooring's lifespan beyond 20 years, particularly in residential settings.

What's better, LVP or laminate?

Summary. LVP is the clear winner when it comes to overall color selection and lifetime waterproofing, whereas flood-rated Laminate offers better overall durability and pricing. The thickness of Laminate flooring reduces the need for sub-floor prep.

Does LVP need underlayment?

If you're laying the LVP over an existing cushion-backed vinyl floor or a below-grade tile floor, you won't need to use an underlayment. However, you'll want to use one in every other application, including covering existing hardwood floors, uncushioned vinyl flooring, and concrete floors.

What is the best vinyl flooring to put over tile?

Although there are numerous suitable vinyl flooring solutions that can be installed over other vinyl, the following 5 products at Greatmats are among the best:
  • Max Tile Raised Modular Flooring.
  • TileFlex Floor Tile.
  • HomeStyle Stone Series Floor Tile.
  • Rustic Wood Grain Trade Show Tile.
  • Envee Rigid Core LVT Planks.

What is the primary disadvantage of using vinyl tile for flooring?

Some disadvantages of vinyl flooring include: Cannot be repaired. Can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Shorter lifespan than wood floors.

Should flooring be done before or after kitchen fit?

Because kitchen units often involve plumbing connections, integration becomes a problem if flooring is chosen to be installed after the cabinets. Laying flooring first allows plumbers to secure pipes and lines more efficiently and avoid unnecessary adjustments later.

Which is more durable tile or laminate flooring?

However, tile is more durable, most significantly because most varieties are impervious to standing water. Porcelain ceramic, made of feldspar, is harder and more stain resistant than non-porcelain ceramic tile made only of clay. Unlike tile, laminate flooring is susceptible to moisture damage.

Can you float LVP over tile?

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) can be installed over concrete, wood, tile, and more! Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring is one of the most popular types of flooring on the market today. It's a durable, versatile, and attractive option for homeowners looking to upgrade their space.

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