Laying Ceramic Floor Tile Over Ceramic Tile

Installing tile directly on concrete.

Laying ceramic floor tile over ceramic tile.

Installing over wood. To install ceramic tile over wood the wood surface must be structurally sound enough to support the weight of the tile. The condition of the existing tiles and the structural. This isn t possible with every flooring material but it s often possible to install ceramic porcelain or stone tile over resilient flooring including standard sheet vinyl vinyl tile or linoleum.

You ll see how to complete each step and work the required tools such as trowels manual snap cutter wet saw and tile nipper. Ceramic tile offers a durable high end floor finish and in many cases it s possible to install a tile new floor right over an old one. A thinner subfloor will cause the floor to flex due to the weight of the tile. It s really not much.

Install ceramic tile over a subfloor that s no less than 1 1 8 inches thick. Laying a ceramic or porcelain tile floor can be considered a daunting task but with adequate planning and preparation this perception can be overcome. A flexing subfloor results in cracked tiles and grout and a lot of headaches. So where feasible it makes sense to install the new flooring directly over the old without removing the old flooring.

Ceramic and porcelain tile are so frequently installed at or above grade level on a cement board underlayment or directly on plywood that it almost seems novel to install tile directly on concrete. And it lasts for 20 years. If the original tile is still in excellent condition then it is possible to install tile over tile but the proper steps must be taken in order to complete the project correctly. Laying one s own tile is also much less expensive and possibly more rewarding than having it professionally installed.

Chipboard cushioned vinyl flooring particle boards of any type oriented strand board osb interior grade plywood tongue and groove planking and hardwood floors are unsuitable substrates for direct installation of ceramic tile. Installing a new ceramic floor over an existing tile floor is something most diy homeowners can tackle. Tile on tile or as i say it. Removing existing tile before installing new tile is recommended however sometimes old tile can be very difficult or almost impossible to remove.

Watch our how to install ceramic and porcelain floor tile videos and learn the steps needed for a successful installation.