What is the best flooring to go over tiles?

Author: Samanta Hackett  |  Last update: Sunday, February 15, 2026

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.

What flooring can you lay on top of tiles?

If the tile is in decent shape, without being loose or having cracks, you can lay laminate flooring over tiles.

What is the best flooring to install over tile?

You can choose options like luxury vinyl plank (LVP), engineered wood, and carpet. These choices let you create a new look without removing the existing tile. You can quickly transform your space while keeping the tile in place whether you prefer: The elegance of hardwood.

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.

What is the cheapest way to cover tile floors?

Cheapest option: paint the floor. Some people use lines of masking tape to make faux tiles or other designs.

How To Install Luxury Vinyl Plank Over Tile Flooring

Can you cover tile with other flooring?

Well, you're in luck. Ceramic tiles, with their flat, smooth surface, can serve as an excellent base for other flooring materials. You can keep them right where they are and layer up, breathing new life into your space without the fuss of removal.

Is it a good idea to install tile over tile?

Laying tiles on tiles is a time and money-saving renovation method, as long as you work on a generally sound floor. Take your time inspecting the surface for mildew, uneven or strangely-placed tiles. The surface should also allow the new layer's added weight.

Can you put vinyl flooring over tile?

There are a variety of floor coverings that can be installed over tiles, including carpet, sheet vinyl, vinyl plank, engineered timber & bamboo, laminate and hybrid flooring.

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.

What flooring can go straight 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.

What is floating a floor?

A floating floor is a floor that does not need to be nailed or glued to the subfloor. The term floating floor refers to the installation method, but is often used synonymously with laminate flooring. It is applied now to other coverings such as floating tile systems and vinyl flooring in a domestic context.

What is the best surface to tile over?

You may tile over existing tile, painted or unpainted drywall, plaster and textured walls. But tiling over tile can add quite a bit of thickness, so make sure your wall can handle the weight. You should not tile over wallpaper, glossy surfaces, lead paint or plywood.

Can I lay floating floor over tiles?

If ceramic tiles are level and the grout is less than 3mm deep, you can lay flooring straight over the top. Some smaller ceramic tiles can have very wide and deep grouts that need to be filled and levelled with the tiles.

What can I install on top of tile?

What Types of Flooring Can Be Installed Over Ceramic Tile?
  • Ceramic Tile. It may sound counterintuitive to install ceramic tile over ceramic tile, but if your only gripe with the tile is its pattern design, rather than its feel, then this is a possibility. ...
  • Vinyl. ...
  • Laminate. ...
  • Engineered Wood. ...
  • Carpet. ...
  • Cork.

Is vinyl flooring waterproof?

Yes, all vinyl flooring products are waterproof because they're composed primarily of PVC. However, the quality of installation can affect their level of water-resistance. For instance, LVT comes in planks or tiles that sit side by side, resulting in multiple seams.

Is it better to 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 is the best vinyl plank flooring to install over tile?

What Is The Best Vinyl Plank Flooring Option To Go Over Existing Vinyl Or Other Tile? Envee Rigid Core LVT Planks are floating vinyl planks that works well when installed over vinyl or tile subfloors.

Do you need underlayment for vinyl flooring over tile?

Tile is a hard surface though, and you'll experience the same stiffness as concrete when vinyl flooring is installed directly to it. Consider adding underlay simply for the cushion it provides. Tile can also be cold in the winter, so the insulation benefits of an underlayment apply as well.

What are the disadvantages of overlay tiles?

Be careful as overlaying new tiles onto old, hollow tiles might lead to it popping out and result in cracking on the new tiles.

Is it better to remove tiles or tile over?

Simply tiling over your existing tiles can be cheaper and quicker than removing your them and starting from scratch. With no need to spend time chipping away at old tiles or smoothing out your wall, you'll be saving hours of either your own labour or the cost of a professional.

What is the best adhesive for tiling over tiles?

S1 tile adhesives are an excellent choice for floors. It contains additional polymers that improve flexibility and adhesion, making it suitable for tiling over both floor and wall tiles. This adhesive can be used with a wide variety of tile types, including ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone.

How do you cover old tiles without removing them?

The easiest way to do this is by using PVC wall panels, not only are they easy to install over your tiles but they're easy to maintain as well, making them a great solution for renters and homeowners alike.

Can you lay a luxury vinyl plank over tile?

You'll be pleased to learn that in nearly every case, yes - luxury vinyl planks can indeed be installed on top of tile. This is quite convenient as it means you won't need to completely strip the floor of your old tile when completing a new installation.

Can you lay bamboo flooring over tiles?

However, it is also recommended using the direct stick method and the installation depends on the original tiles condition. We have no issues installing bamboo onto tiles if the customer requests, however the finish on the tile needs to be ground back first to allow the MB to be applied.

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