Laminate flooring has become one of the best flooring options. Because it’s so convenient and quicker to install over different types of subfloor.
Knowing this you might even want to install laminate flooring in your home but what if you have tile flooring already? This aspect can raise a question in your mind that laminate flooring can be installed over tile or not.
Therefore, this article will clear all the queries regarding whether you can use tile flooring as a surface underneath a new laminate flooring or not.
Can Laminate Flooring Be Installed Over Tile?
Laminate flooring can be installed over tile. It’s less time-consuming and pretty much is the same as installing over a bare subfloor. But one needs to make sure that the tile surface is even, flat, and in decent condition. And it’s suggested to add an underlayment underneath the laminate flooring.
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Installing laminate flooring over the tile flooring cut off the extra efforts while removing the broken or chipped tiles.
However, before installing laminate flooring over the tile surface, it is required to make sure that the tile surface is in a good condition, all even and flat without having any loose or cracks. Because laminate flooring needs flat and even surfaces to be installed over.
Moreover, pay attention to the underlayment to avoid moisture from soaking through the tile subfloor and distorting the flooring. So, it’s a wise idea to add an underlayment underneath the laminate flooring before installing it. It will add extra cushioning and moisture barrier.
Is It Ok To Put Laminate Flooring Over Tile?
It is perfectly okay to put laminate flooring over tile. In fact, there is not much difference between putting laminate flooring over a tile surface and a bare subfloor.
But make sure to have your home’s tile surface in pretty much decent condition and tiles are in proper shape. Also, make sure that the surface is level and flat without any cracked, loose tile, and jutting out nails.
The other thing you need to consider is the height as laminate flooring will add a few inches extra heights that can be problematic for taller persons. So trim or use transition strips to solve these issues.
Also, it would be a wise decision if you install an underlayment to add a moisture barrier and cushiony vibe. Because not all time tile surfaces can deliver moisture insurance.
So, as long as you follow all these things, it’s fine to install laminate flooring over tile.
How To Install Laminate Flooring Over Tiles?
To help you to install laminate flooring over tile, here are step-by-step guidelines given for you to follow. So that you can install laminate flooring easily all by yourself.
Make Sure The Tile Is Flat And Even
Hence, an even and flat surface help laminate flooring planks to settle down perfectly without floating or separating from the joints. So make sure to have a flat and level tile surface.
If the tile surface is not level, you need to . To do that use leveling compound to the tile floor even. Just mix it into a flowable viscosity, pour on the floor, and let it set.
Read more, How Uneven Can a Floor Be for Laminate?
Ensure Your Preferred Height/Thickness
Laminate planks will add extra height/thickness about 1/2 inches to the floor after installing fully. And it can create problems at entryways and shifting to other kinds of flooring.
So, to solve this problem, undercut the entrances and trim some elements from the underside of the doors to make space for the planks to fit.
For transition strips, nail them to the surface and keep an inch gap between different flooring elements. Then it’ll become easier to install transition strips.
Add Underlayment
Underlayment acts as a moisture barrier that is required before installing laminate flooring. So, add an underlayment underneath the laminate planks to add moisture protection and cushioning. Even though old tiles might provide moisture protection to some extent.
And, if there’s already underlayment material installed with your tile surface, you can skip this part.
Lay Laminate Flooring All Over The Tile
Install laminate flooring all over the tile surface to finish it off. And stagger the planks for extra strength and visual appearance. After the installation let the laminate floor settle down perfectly for a day.
If the tiles are broken, loose, or have lifted edges, you better remove them and install laminate flooring over the bare subfloor.
Do I Need Underlayment For Laminate Flooring Over Tile?
You certainly do need underlayment before installing laminate flooring over your tile subfloor. Because underlayment acts as a moisture barrier, provides enough cushioning, and insulation.
Even though the old tile may work as a vapor barrier to some extent, still it would be a wise decision to add an underlayment beneath laminate flooring.
However, if there is already underlayment material installed in your old tile surface, you don’t need to add another one.
How To Level The Tile Floor For Laminate?
Since laminate flooring is installed on two types of subfloor: wood subfloor and concrete subfloor. Therefore, steps for leveling for both types are given in brief.
Wood Subfloor
Pull Out Or Secure Any Protruding Nails
Use a hammer to pull out any stray nails. Or tap with a hammer to place the loose nails back. And add 3/4 inches nails to secure a loose section of the floor sheathing to the shafts underneath.
Sand Spots
Use a hand sander to sand down any high or low spots until it turns into a level surface.
Clean Thoroughly
Then clean nicely, leaving no debris behind.
Apply Leveling Compound
Lastly, use floor leveling compound in the low areas by using a trowel to make it level. Also, feather the perimeters of the patched spots
Concrete Subfloor
Scrape Existing Adhesive
First, start with scraping out any prevailing adhesive or flooring.
Find Out The Low And High Spots
Use a long level to find out the high and low areas. And the areas where the level will not settle down flatly. Or if you find any hollow area underneath the level refers to a spot of concern.
Grind High Spots
Use a concrete grinder to grind down all high spots. Remove collisions and lumps from the subfloor so that the repaired spots sit down evenly with the rest of the surrounding covering.
Clean The Subfloor
Clean thoroughly and remove all concrete debris.
Apply Leveling Compound
Lastly, pour floor leveling compound to the low spots or dips by a trowel. Also, the perimeters, feather them as well to blend with the rest of the surroundings. And then allow the compound to dry before you install laminate flooring.
Can You Put Laminate Over Tile In The Bathroom?
You can install laminate flooring over the tile surface of the bathroom as well. But the tiles need to be in good condition.
And laminate planks are thin and solid that don’t need adhesives. Also, this flooring is manufactured with a padded underlayment which allows smoothing any structure from the tile.
Moreover, if the tile surface has an existence of vapor that can’t affect the functionality of laminate tile. So, it’s okay to install laminate over tile in the bathroom.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Laying Laminate Over Tile?
Just like any other laying flooring over a tile surface, laminate flooring has also both pros and cons. And to help you understand the pros and cons before you determine to install laminate flooring over tile, here all the pros and cons are listed below.
Pros
- Easy to remove: Laminating flooring has the gliding type of installation and it is easier to remove. Also, the planks are easily removable.
- Waterproof: If laminate flooring is locked appropriately, it is waterproof. So one can install laminate flooring in the bathroom too.
- Pet friendly: Laminate flooring is pet-friendly.
- Stain and scratch resistant: Laminate flooring is stain and scratch resistant too. Therefore, no stain or scratch can damage the flooring’s appearance.
- Low maintenance: It’s low maintenance and can be cleaned easily.
- Price: Less expensive
Cons
- Mending: Laminate flooring is hard to mend.
- Lasts for less time: Laminate flooring is not long-lasting. It can last only for 15-25 years.
Should I Remove Tile Before Installing Flooring?
It’s not recommended to remove tile before installing laminate flooring. Because tile flooring is generally a high-end flooring that can last for a very long time. So, it’s a literal headache if you want to remove the tiles.
Therefore, if the tiles are in moderately good condition, level, and have no high or low spots, then the tile surface surely can be used for installing laminate flooring over it. All you have to do is, clean the surface thoroughly and remove the underside near the floor’s edges.
But if there is any tile that has raised edges above 1/16 inch, it should be carved with a hammer and the hollow should be filled and leveled with a leveling compound.
What Type Of Flooring Can You Put Over Ceramic Tile?
Laminate flooring perfectly goes along with ceramic tile. Because laminate planks are thin and give a solid flooring.
Also, it doesn’t need any adhesives to sit on ceramic tile. Moreover, laminate flooring is manufactured with an already installed padded underlayment that helps to smooth out any silhouette of the ceramic tile surface.
Besides, laminate flooring is cheap and quick to install over ceramic tile surfaces.
Apart from laminate flooring, wood flooring, carpet, vinyl plank flooring can be put over ceramic tile.
You can install laminate flooring over your home’s tile surface easily as long as the surface is level and smooth. If not, make it level then install.