Laminate Flooring On Top Of Tile

The short answer is yes you can install laminate flooring over a ceramic tile floor if the tile floor is in good condition and the tile are well attached level and flat.

Laminate flooring on top of tile.

What s special about laminate flooring and where it derives its name is the laminated top layer which is printed to mimic natural material primarily wood and stone. Laminate vinyl or another layer of ceramic tiles are all compatible flooring types as are glued on hardware floors. You can often lay a laminate over tile without any extra effort if the tile a smooth level and there isn t much depth in the grout lines. This could spell disaster.

Why choose laminate flooring. Installing tile is more expensive since the process is more labor intensive and exacting. You ve got problems however if the tiles are uneven and have raised edges or if the grout lines are wide and deep. In general laminate flooring requires a base of thin polyethylene foam padding.

When laying laminate over tile the tile must be flat. A 200 square foot living area will cost approximately 1 000 to 2 600 for tile installation or 400 to 1 600 for laminate installation. If a laminate can be placed over a ceramic tile the labor of the installation is decreased dramatically. Since tile is a durable substrate there is little risk of deterioration when another flooring substance is placed over it.

Many homeowners are opting to install their own laminate flooring. Many laminate manufacturers specifically indicate that their product may be installed over ceramic tile. This top layer on high quality brands is hard to distinguish from the real thing in both texture and color from visuals alone. Choose a compatible flooring type to lay over your ceramic tiles.

Keep your new floors in tip top shape with laminate accessories such as laminate sealants floor cleaner and repair kits. Laminate planks are designed to interlock which makes installation quick and easy. It s recommended that you buy about 10 percent more than you need to account for cuts. Because the self leveling compound creates the equivalent of a concrete subfloor your new floor type must be one that uses an adhesive or mortar for placement.

There are a few precautions though. This comes in wide rolls that install directly over the tile. The cold surface of tile can attract condensation and when it s covered by laminate the moisture can t escape other than to migrate through the flooring boards. For convenience some brands come with foam already.

This means installed tile flooring will be approximately 5 to 13 per square foot while installed laminate flooring will be about 2 to 8 per square foot. Don t forget about the laminate trim mouldings and coordinating laminate stair treads. Installation precautions to take. You might also opt for glue down laminate flooring.

First the tile should be in good shape level and free of depressions before installing.