Vinyl Plank Installed Over Ceramic Tile?

Question

Hi all,I am currently in the process of having vinyl plank installed throughout a rental property to replace the pink ceramic tile that's currently there. One flooring guy told me that he could install the vinyl directly over the ceramic tile. The other said that all of the tile would have to be removed before the vinyl could be installed. Not sure who is right. I certainly would love to avoid paying to have all of the tile removed, but I don't want to end up installing vinyl that ultimately has peaks,valleys, and crevices from the tile telegraphing through.Thanks for any insight.Monica

Randy F. · Answer

There are several issues to consider...1. Are you going to use the stick together or click together vinyl plank? Where this makes a difference is in floor height. If its a kitchen and there is a dishwasher, you need to make sure DW will fit back into hole.2. You can install over tile, but as previously stated, you must float the floor with a leveler to fill grout lines and cover lipage. 3. If tile is removed, chances are you will either have to float the subfloor or install an underlayment. The latter is prefered. Removing tile and installing underlayment would be fairly costly.4. A good contractor will give you all the viable options. We alway have our own preferences and ideas about what the "right" way to do something is, and some only consider and give options for what is in there own best interest, but the customer should be provided all viable options so that they can make an educated decision for themselves. Choose wisely!

Stephen S. · Answer

Ed L. · Answer

I'm sure it's doable over the ceramic, but the outcome of the job is going to be dependent on the prep work of your installer. They will have to use a great deal of floor leveler to fill in the grout lines. If the grout lines aren't leveled it will show right through the vinyl and look pretty bad. I had express plank vinyl flooring installed over VCT tile at my office building and it turned out great.I highly recommend the vinyl flooring, it's held up great for 4 years now.

Joe Gee · Answer

@John Hickey Yea keeping the tile in place seems to be the better alternative. Going to explore this option. Thanks.

John Hickey · Answer

Joe G. I finished the project I was working on with level quick over tile and it came out as expected spent 600on level quick 375 labor. that's was only one day two guys. I would have had to take up the tile and dispose of it the level quick after so it would have been easy same amount of level quick maybe more and 3-4 days of labor. If you go that route rent a chipping hammer and attack the tile from the side as soon as you get a big enough hole. It's a lot of work to gain an inch. Better off looking to raise the ceiling. Almost always easier to raise the ceiling.

John Hickey · Answer

Monica M. I'm doing vinyl plank over tile right now. The area is 370sf. We use RS levelquick....a lot. Great product. Having done this several times I would say that's the best plan. As stated above when you remove the tile you would need to level the floor. So all you'll really accomplish is get back the space the tile is taking up. If the guys who put the tile down knew what they were doing and used the right materials you'll be using more levelquick ($$$)because you will be removing bits of subfloor with the tile. Get an estimate on how much level quick your using. That stuff is expensive and it goes quick. We spent 800 on 370sf in the basement. We used a bit more than usual in an area that wasn't tiled before.... you'll

Linda Olivencia · Answer

@Monica M. Hi Monica. I am currently installing vinyl plank floor over an open concept room that currently consists of carpet and tile. You mentioned you had an uneven area that you utilized levelquick. What exactly did you do?

Joe Gee · Answer

@Monica M. Hi Monica, I'm currently in the same boat. Can you share the outcome of the project?

Carolyn Morales · Answer

even if removing the tiles,.you still have to level the floor and remove all the old mastic or grout. That usually is not a smooth task so leveling is still required. I would say level over top of old tiles myself. We are about to do that also but not in a kitchen where it could effect dishwasher reinstall.

Monica M. · Answer

Thanks, everybody. I think the signs are certainly pointing to having the tile removed. I don't want to risk poor prep work. @Matt Overbee It's $1200 in this particular case to take up the tile. I haven't gotten a formal quote from the guy who said he could install the vinyl over the tile, so I'm not sure what his figure would be for prepping. I was interested in a general sense too, though, because more and more I'm looking at potential buy-and-hold acquisitions that have hideous ceramic tile installed. All of a sudden removing tile is becoming a cost that I never dealt with when I bought my current properties years ago.@Stephen S. The tile is just pink and ugly and I don't think it would fly with potential renters. I really grappled with holding onto it in its current state, but I'd rather spend the money now to and not have to struggle to rent it out or have to drop my price to get it rented out.Thanks again, @Ed Lee , @Randy F. , and @George P. . You have all made my decision a lot easier.