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Can You Put Ceramic Tile Over Laminate Flooring? (How To)

Laminate flooring is affordable, easy to install, maintain, and aesthetically appealing. However, they are prone to scratches and moisture destruction. So, what do you do when your laminate floor gets old and unsightly? Do you remove it, or can you install ceramic tiles over it?

You can install ceramic tiles over laminate flooring and save time and effort removing your old flooring.  Inspect laminate flooring for damages and fix any peelings. Rough the laminate floor and remove any dust particles or debris. Allow drying before installation.

Clean and modern ceramic tiles

Although laminate flooring is affordable and easy to install, it’s prone to scratches and moisture damage. In addition, you cannot renew its appearance once it gets old. You can install ceramic tiles over an old laminate floor to avoid the cost and effort of removing it, but you should prepare the surface adequately.

Check the base layer for stability and if the laminate pulls away from the base. Apply cement to the peeling areas before installing ceramic tiles. Use a sander to rough the laminate floor and remove the top gloss for the tiles to attach firmly.

Vacuum the area or wipe with a damp cloth to remove dust and debris that could interfere with the tile adhesive. Leave the area to dry before installing ceramic tiles.

Use our tile floor calculator to find out how much it’ll cost you to put tile over laminate flooring.

Should You Put Ceramic Tiles Over Laminate Flooring?

Man installing tiles

Installing ceramic tiles over an old laminate floor can give it a new look. However, the process is not problem-proof. The section below discusses some common challenges you will likely face when installing ceramic tiles over laminate flooring and how to handle them.

When putting ceramic tiles over laminate flooring, you will likely face crooked, loose, uneven, and cracked tiles. Use tile spacers and install tiles on a flat surface. Use the right adhesive and cut tiles correctly to avoid these problems.

Crooked tiles are a common problem when installing ceramic tiles over a laminate floor. It occurs due to improper use of tile spacers or uneven grout application. To avoid this, space the tiles and apply grout evenly.

Ceramic tiles may become loose after installation when you use the wrong adhesive or mix the mortar wrongly. You can also get uneven tiles when you use the wrong measurements or install the tiles on uneven surfaces. It can also cause cracks or chips at the edges, damaging the floor.

Although it’s easy to install ceramic tiles over laminate flooring, it’s possible to get a poorly done job when you cut the tiles unevenly or order fewer tiles than you require. As a result, you may get gaps on the floor that can cause the tiles to move or crack. To avoid this, order 10% more tiles to have enough to avoid these gaps.

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Tiles can crack due to applying too much grout or too little adhesive. To avoid this, apply the right grout and remove the excess using a grout sponge. In addition, apply the right grout adhesive and mix in the right proportions to avoid this problem.

What Tools Do You Need To Put Ceramic Tiles Over Laminate Flooring?

Tools for tiles

Installing ceramic tiles over laminate flooring can give your room a new look, and doing it yourself can save you the cost of hiring a professional. Hence, you should have the right tools to have a successful project. Read the section below to learn the must-haves for this project.

To install ceramic tiles over laminate flooring, you need a tape measure, chalk line, orbital sander, tile cutter, tile nipper, tack cloth, broom, tile spacers, rubber float, notched trowel, bucket, sponge, and rubber mallet. You can hire or purchase these tools from a home improvement store.

You will need an orbital sander to rough the laminate flooring top to make it easy for the tiles to stick. In addition, you should have a push broom to sweep the floor and a tack cloth to remove the excess dust particles and debris.

A tape measure will be useful when measuring the room dimensions, and a chalk line to draw the layout lines on the floor.

A tile cutter will be useful for cutting ceramic tiles into your desired shapes and sizes, and a tile nipper will make more precise cuts. To avoid lippage, you will also need tile spacers to ensure uniform spacing between tiles. Besides, you should have a bucket to mix mortar before application.

A notched trowel will be useful to spread mortar over the laminate floor, and a rubber mallet to tap gently on the tiles to fix them firmly without breaking. Moreover, you will need a rubber float to spread the grout over the seams and press firmly.

What Preparations Do You Need To Put Ceramic Tiles Over Laminate Flooring?

Man installing tiles

You can put ceramic tiles over laminate flooring, but you must prepare to avoid a failed project. The section below details the necessary preparations when installing ceramic tiles over laminate flooring.

When putting ceramic tiles over laminate flooring, determine the number of tiles you need and order from your local hardware store. Inspect the floor and fix the peeling areas. Remove the laminate top gross and clean the surface. Cut tiles into shapes and sizes.

Before installing ceramic tiles over laminate flooring, inspect the stability of the subfloor and cover it with a backboard layer if it is peeling too much. If the floor is still in good shape, reinstall the laminate by removing the top cover, applying the cement mixture, and reinstalling it.

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Use an orbit sander to remove the laminate top gross to make the tiles attach firmly. Sweep the floor to remove dust, and use a tack cloth to remove the remaining particles and debris.

Establish the tile layout by drawing layout lines using a chalk line. Use a tape measure to divide the area into four equal parts and draw vertical and horizontal lines. Lay the tiles along the layout lines to test the effectiveness of your preferred tile layout.

Repeat this process until you achieve a layout that works for you. Use a tile cutter to cut the tiles into your desired shapes and sizes, depending on your final layout.

How To Put Ceramic Tiles Over Laminate Flooring

confused woman standing

Installing ceramic tiles over laminate flooring is a simple DIY process that you can perform with the right tools. Please read the section below to learn how to do it correctly.

To put ceramic tiles over laminate flooring, mix the mortar and spread it over the floor. Lay tiles and space them with plastic spacers. Leave to cure for 24-72 hours and apply grout. Let the grout dry before sealing the seams.

You can install ceramic tiles over laminate flooring in the following steps.

Step 1: Mix mortar in a bucket and spread it over the laminate flooring using a notched trowel.

Step 2: Lay the tiles over the mortar and use spacers to achieve uniformity. Press gently and use a rubber mallet to tap the tiles to attach them firmly and gently. Remove excess mortar and allow 24-72 hours for the tiles to cure.

Step 3: Remove the tile spacers and Mix grout in a bucket.  Apply it over the ceramic tiles using a rubber float. Use a grout sponge to remove the excess and allow it to cure for at least 24 hours.

Step 4: Apply the tile seal and allow it to cure, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.

You can put ceramic tiles over laminate flooring to save time and labor on previous flooring removal. Examine any damage to the laminate flooring, and repair any peeling. Rough up the laminate floor and take out any debris or dust. Let the surface dry before installing the tiles.

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