Skip to Content

Can You Put Peel And Stick Tile Over Carpet? (How To)

Carpeting is probably one of the most popular floors, but for some people, a change is in order. Is it possible to put peel-and-stick tile over carpet? This would be very convenient.

As long as you prepare things properly, you can apply peel-and-stick tile over carpeting. It is a semi-permanent option that is commonly used for renters who want to cover old carpeting without tearing it out.

Man installing tiles

There are a number of different options when it comes to peel-and-stick flooring. Choosing among these different flooring solutions can make a difference in the success of the project.

We will also consider some of the problems that you may run into when doing this type of work. As we said, it’s a semi-permanent solution which means that it can be removed or can be damaged easily.

Can You Put Peel And Stick Tile Over Carpet? (How To)

What are some of the scenarios that would make you want to put peel-and-stick flooring over carpeting? Here are a few to consider:

Renters – When you rent an apartment, you have to live on the carpeting that may have been down for many years. It’s nice to have a barrier between you and the carpet that you can be comfortable with.

DIY – This is a relatively easy DIY project that can be done in no time. Peel and stick tiles tend to be inexpensive, especially if you are using vinyl tile. You can put it in place over the carpet in an afternoon and give the room an entirely new look.

Shortcut – Tearing out the carpet can be problematic. You never quite know what you are going to run into when you get down to the subfloor and it is a lot of work. If you want to take a shortcut, you can apply peel-and-stick tile over the carpet and be done with it.

Something else that needs to be said is in regard to the type of carpeting. Obviously, if you are dealing with shag carpeting, it is going to be much more difficult to put a peel-and-stick tile over it compared to a low pile carpet, such as Berber.

You also need to think about the amount of money you’re spending on this project. It can last for a while but you may eventually need to tear up the tile and start over again. It’s really the nature of this type of DIY project.

If you just want to cover over the carpeting and do so quickly and easily, grab some vinyl tile planks and start sticking them to the floor. Otherwise, you’re in for a considerable amount of work as you have to peel up the carpet and start from scratch.

Let’s take a look at some of the potential problems of putting peel-and-stick tile over carpet. We can then get started with this unique project.

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

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 10, 2022.

Should You Put Peel And Stick Tile Over Carpet?

Man installing tiles

Putting peel-and-stick tile over carpeting is not a difficult DIY project. Once you get the hang of it, you can do it very quickly. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t any problems, and here are a few to look out for.

Landlords – Obviously, if you are renting an apartment, you would want to consult with the landlord before you do any type of work that could damage things. Generally speaking, there isn’t much of a problem with putting peel-and-stick tile over the carpet if you do it the right way but there is an outside chance that the carpet could get damaged.

If you want to save your security deposit, talk to the landlord in advance. They may give you the green light for this project.

Dirty Carpeting – If the carpet is dirty and you simply put peel-and-stick tiles over it, you’re really locking the dirt in place. Although you may not come in contact with it any longer, any smells that exist due to dirty carpeting are going to permeate through the peel-and-stick tile easily.

If you aren’t comfortable with the carpeting, it’s best if you clean it before you put down the title. You would also want to ensure that it is completely dry.

Lifting Tiles – One of the more serious issues associated with putting peel-and-stick tiles over carpet is the possibility that the tiles will lift. This is more than an unsightly problem, it can be a serious tripping hazard.

Tiles tend to lift in the area where we walk frequently. They can also lift around heavy furniture that is putting pressure on the tile in one location.

Subfloor – Since you are using the existing carpeting as a subfloor, you may end up seeing the peel and stick tiles separate from each other. This is due to the fact that the carpet is not attached to the floor and it will shift underneath the tiles.

Damage – Although you will likely be able to pull up the tile and the little subfloor (described below) without any damage, there may be the possibility of some damage. This is to be expected, so don’t get sidelined by it.

Damaged Carpet – This is not the damage that could because by putting down the tiles but if you have carpet that is already damaged, torn, or extremely worn, it may not make the best subfloor for a peel-and-stick tile floor.

What Tools Do You Need To Put Peel And Stick Tile Over Carpet?

Tools used for tiles

Gather the following tools to prepare for putting peel-and-stick tile over the carpet. Having the tools on hand will allow you to get through the project quickly and easily.

Tape measure

Utility knife

Straight edge

Double-sided carpet tape

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 10, 2022.

Duct tape

Panels or cardboard (poster board)

What Preparations Do You Need To Put Peel And Stick Tile Over Carpet?

Man cutting carpet

If you have made the decision and considered the cost of putting peel-and-stick tile over carpet, here’s how to get started. Preparing for the project is just as important as doing it.

Clean Carpet – I would always recommend that you clean the carpeting and allow it to dry thoroughly before putting anything over it. If there are any smells in the carpet, they will simply permeate through the tile, and eventually, they will be a big problem. Cleaning the carpet ensures that you are starting with a clean slate.

Repair Carpeting – If there are any damaged areas to the carpeting or if it is loose, it should be repaired before you begin putting down the peel-and-stick tile. If you simply put the tile down over it without repairing the carpet first, you are likely going to have some damage from the very start.

Measure – It is a good idea to measure the room and to over-purchase the tile that you need. Generally speaking, you should purchase about 20% more than the size of the room. This allows for waste, which may happen and it also allows for some mistakes to be made.

Choose Your Title – There are many different options available when it comes to peel-and-stick tiles. Some of these are going to be more convenient than others, especially when it comes to putting them over carpeting.

Just a standard peel-and-stick tile or perhaps a vinyl plank can be done if you put down a little subfloor, as we will describe below. You also have the option of using peel-and-stick carpet squares, which can really add some pizzazz to the room.

I would mention that the peel-and-stick carpet squares are more of a permanent option than a vinyl plank. In either case, it can provide you with a decent-looking floor but the peel-and-stick carpet squares are going to be more difficult to get up without damaging the carpet.

How To Put Peel And Stick Tile Over Carpet

confused man standing

Now that you have prepared the carpeting, it’s time to put the peel-and-stick tile down. Here’s how to do it.

If you’re putting down peel-and-stick carpet squares, these can simply be stuck directly onto the carpeting. The adhesive is very strong, so it is likely going to damage the carpet when you pull it up. Otherwise, you can use this method that is used for vinyl peel-and-stick tiles.

Step 1: Tape – Use double-sided carpet tape and go around the edge of the room. You want to stay close to the baseboard and you don’t want to put the double-sided tape in the middle of the room where any slight damage after it is pulled up will be more easily seen.

Step 2: Subfloor – Use thin cardboard or posterboard as a subfloor. Put the pieces around the edge using double-sided tape to hold them in place. You can then fill in the center with posterboard, using duct tape to hold the posterboard together but not attaching it to the carpet.

Step 3: Peel and Stick – This is where you begin transforming the look of the room. Peel the backing off of the tile and stick it to the posterboard that is down as the subfloor. Continue to work your way around the room until it is completely covered.

If you’re using vinyl plank, then cut the edge of the plank so the pieces are staggered. If you have them all in a straight line at the edges, they are more likely to pop out of place.

It is possible to put peel-and-stick tile over carpeting if you prepare the room properly. This would include cleaning the carpeting, putting down a posterboard subfloor, and applying the tiles to the subfloor.

Related Articles

Can You Put Peel And Stick Tile Over Paneling? (How To)

Can You Put Peel and Stick Tile Over Wood Floors? (How To)

Can You Put Peel And Stick Tile Over Particle Board? (How To)

Can You Put Peel and Stick Tile Over Textured Surface (Walls/Floor)? (How To)

ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 10, 2022.

Can You Put Peel and Stick Tile Over Bathroom Wall? (How To)