Can You Install Flooring Over Existing Tile? (Video)

Matt Pehr, owner of The Floor 4U, answers a common renovation question: can a new floor go over existing tile? In this 54-second video, he explains why the answer is often yes, provided the existing floor and the room have been checked first.

Read the full guide: Can You Install LVP Over Tile?

What Matt checks before flooring goes over tile

Tile lippage, where one tile edge sits higher than another, can leave an uneven base for the new floor. The tile surface and the flooring product both matter. Check the selected manufacturer’s installation instructions before deciding what preparation the floor needs.

The added floor height can also affect dishwasher and refrigerator clearance, front and back door swing, and transitions into nearby rooms. Matt points out that the dishwasher opening needs enough room for the new flooring to extend under its front legs. A site visit can identify these constraints before materials are ordered.

The LVP over tile guide explains the four tests in more detail, including sound tile, flatness, existing layers, and height. If you are comparing options for your home, request a free in-home estimate from The Floor 4U.

Video Transcript

Can I install flooring over my existing tile? Of course, you can. There are many floors that are available on the market to do this sort of job. However, there are quite a few variables that go into this type of installation.

Is the tile flat? A word you may have heard is lippage, where the tile, one tile is higher than another. That would make for an uneven substrate to put an existing floor over. That’s one variable.

Do you have room for your dishwasher to fit in the opening? Because the flooring needs to go under the front two legs of the dishwasher. Does your fridge fit? Does your front door, back door open? These are all variables that go into this type of project.

But the answer to the question is most times yes, you can. It just requires proper planning and proper prep. You can visit us in Mokena if you’d like to see options to go over this type of flooring or this type of project.

Read the full guide on installing LVP over tile