You can install ceramic tile on top of vinyl flooring on a concrete slab if the vinyl is in good condition and glued down securely.
When tiling over vinyl flooring on a wood subfloor, you should apply a layer of 1/2″ thick cement backer board first. Here’s how to go about it:
- Apply thin-set adhesive to the vinyl flooring with a notched trowel.
- Screw or nail 1/2″ cement backer board on top of the vinyl while the adhesive is still wet.
- Apply thin-set adhesive to any joints in the backer board.
- Embed fiberglass mesh tape in the adhesive while it’s still wet.
- After the adhesive has set, apply tile to the floor using thin-set adhesive.
- Allow the adhesive to set before grouting between the tile.
Watch the video above to find out more.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Danny Lipford: Martin asks, “Can I lay ceramic tile over a vinyl floor that’s on top of a wood floor?”
Yes, you can install ceramic tile directly over vinyl flooring if you are on a concrete slab. But if you are on a wooden subfloor like we are here, you’ll need to take an extra step.
First of all, you need to use a half-inch cement backer board, and install it directly over the vinyl, and use a thin-set adhesive to glue it down. Then use a coated nail to secure it very well to the subfloor.
Then, using the same thin-set adhesive and a trowel, you’ll trowel on the thin-set adhesive over all of the seams. Use a fiberglass mesh tape. And you kind of smooth out, just like you would an interior wall.
Then you have a fantastic surface to install any type of ceramic tile. And if you do it right, it’ll end up looking as nice as this.
Further Information
- How to Tile Over Vinyl Flooring (article)
- How to Lay Tile Over an Existing Vinyl Floor (video)
- Installing Tile Over a Wood Subfloor (article)
- How to Lay a Tile Floor (article)
