6 Minutes read time
6 Minutes read time
When we think of getting a new tiled floor or renovating a room in our house it is all too easy to fast forward in our heads to the end product. Pinterest and Instagram or mood boards allow us all to find our version of a dream floor. The reality of it is however that there are many more decisions to make than just what aesthetic of tile to install. You have to decide on tiling layout what size of tile will suit your space and how the tile will work with adjacent floors. This leads to the question of whether we can just install our new tiles over the top of our existing tiles?
There are some important variables to consider that can have huge consequences down the line but there are certain cases where this can be used as a way to both speed up and keep costs down.
To save everyone's time we have gathered the essential conclusions here. You should only consider a tile on tile installation if you meet these three specific criteria. First you do not have underfloor heating. Second the subfloor is perfectly solid. Third you have the height clearance for the extra layer. If even one of these conditions does not match your circumstances then it is not advised to pursue this method.
Table of Contents
Introduction Why tile over tile ? Significant Time Savings on Site A Cleaner Renovation Environment Direct Cost Reductions When is it suitable to tile over tile? 1. You don't have an Underfloor Heating System. 2. The Existing Subfloor Is Rock Solid 3. You Have The Necessary Height Clearance Conclusion
Why tile over tile ?
Before diving too deep into the the conditions that allow you to tile over exisiting tiles - we should outline the reasons why someone would even want to.
Whilst the most common reasons of speeding up the install and reducing construction mess are obvious, there are some other technical and financial reasons that could make it a smart move for some reonovators across the UK.
Significant Time Savings on Site
A rip out can add days to your project timeline. You have to account for the demolition itself plus the time spent waiting for a skip to be delivered and removed. If you find that the subfloor beneath the old tiles is damaged, or in a lot of cases you cause the damage during demolition, you then have to wait for new screeds or plywood over boarding to dry and settle. By tiling over a rock solid existing surface you skip these delays entirely. Once the old floor is cleaned and primed you can begin your new tiles immediately which is a massive win for a busy household with only one main bathroom.
A Cleaner Renovation Environment
Lifting old tiles is one of the dustiest jobs in a home rennovation. Fine silica dust can travel through a house and settle in kitchen cupboards or soft furnishings for weeks after the work is finished. We know this only too well in our Ballymena showroom. Our cleaner tends to get quite annoyed when we change our displays - which happens quite often! Dust is a major concern for any renovation where the family is still living in the property. Tiling over the top is a non invasive process that eliminates the need for kangos or bolster chisels. You keep the mess to a minimum and avoid the heavy lifting of rubble which keeps your home much more liveable during the transition.
Direct Cost Reductions
You save significantly on labour costs because your tiler is not spending hours or days on heavy demolition. You also eliminate the cost of skip hire which has risen sharply across the UK in recent years.
Perhaps the biggest saving comes from not having to buy expensive repair materials like high volume self levelling compounds or new timber sheets to fix a damaged subfloor. When lifting tiles they often dont want to come off as easy as you would like. Some of these tiles may have been installed using an old school sand and cement mortar bed which was the standard across Northern Ireland for decades. This traditional trade method creates a bond that is often stronger than the porcelain itself. Trying to force these up can pull chunks out of the structural screed or damage the timber joists beneath.
I have personal experience of this myself. I had thought after all my years of selling tiles that I would have been granted some luck by the tiling gods when I lifted my tiles in my livingroom and kitchen. Absolutely not! The Cassidy's had a fun weekend of dust, noise and tidyup! By using the existing floor as your base you are essentially using a free and perfectly stable substrate.
Before we dive into the specific conditions your floor needs to meet, grab a copy of our Tile Jargon Cheatsheet. It decodes the most common terms used by tilers and tile showrooms into plain English. Have it sent straight to your inbox so you are ready to discuss your specific requirements accurately.
When is it suitable to tile over tile?
While the benefits of this method are clear, there are several strict technical conditions you must meet before proceeding. It is vital to consider each of these individually, as failing to meet even one of these requirements means a tile on tile installation is not advised for your home.
1. You don't have an Underfloor Heating System.
The first requirement is that there must be no heating system installed beneath your current floor. Adding a second layer of porcelain and adhesive creates a thick thermal barrier that acts like an insulator. Imagine a towel draped over a radiator. You can feel the heat through it. Now add another two towels over this one representing adhesive and new tiles - you can feel less of the heat. This, in essence, is what happens if you tile over tiles with underfloor heating. This forces your heating system to work twice as hard to push warmth into the room which leads to massive energy inefficiency and skyrocketing utility bills.
In many Northern Ireland homes where these systems are a primary heat source doubling the thickness can also cause the heating elements to overheat and fail prematurely.
2. The Existing Subfloor Is Rock Solid
Your current tiles must be perfectly bonded to the ground with zero movement or hollow spots. A new floor is only as stable as the substrate beneath it and tiling over a loose base is a recipe for disaster.
It seems obvious to say that if you tile over a tile that is unstable, that movement will eventually show itself in the new floor. Any lateral stresses induced into the tile may force the new tiles to move or the grout lines to crack.
3. You Have The Necessary Height Clearance
You must have enough vertical space for the floor to rise by approximately fifteen to twenty millimetres. This additional height impacts every transition point in your home from the bottom of your internal doors to the plinths under your kitchen cabinets. Failing to account for this clearance can lead to doors that drag across your new floor and appliances like dishwashers becoming permanently trapped under the worktop. It often results in days of extra labour spent trimming wood and resetting architraves just to make the home functional again.
Conclusion
Whether you are looking to save time on a quick refresh or tackling a large scale renovation, tiling over your existing floor can be a brilliant solution when done correctly. From our Ballymena showroom, we have seen some good results from this method, provided the original surface is sound and the right products are used. It is all about matching that great choice of tile with the right preparation to ensure a finish that lasts. That being said, we don not recommend this method in normal circumstances and believe it is a much better job to remove all tiles and make good the subfloor.
If you are unsure about your specific floor or need a bit of friendly guidance on which of our direct import ranges would work best, our team is always here to help. Pop into the showroom or request a sample online to get your project moving with total confidence.
Tiling Over Old Tiles: Worth it?
The Ultimate Tiling Q&A
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Tile Adhesive
The Science of a Stable Floor
How Many Tiles Do I Need?
Small Bathroom Tips
Bathroom Renovation & Design Services
The benefits of shopping at Just Tiles N Bathrooms
Different types of tiles
New Consultation Room
Selecting a Tile Adhesive and Underlay
Multipanel vs Tiles
Make a Grand Entrance
The Ultimate Tiling Q&A
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Tile Adhesive
The Science of a Stable Floor
How Many Tiles Do I Need?
Small Bathroom Tips
Bathroom Renovation & Design Services
The benefits of shopping at Just Tiles N Bathrooms
Different types of tiles
New Consultation Room
Selecting a Tile Adhesive and Underlay
Multipanel vs Tiles
Make a Grand Entrance
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