Can Vinyl Flooring Install Over Ceramic Tile?

Vinyl flooring is one of the most popular flooring options on the market. It is a durable, easy to install, and lasts for many years.

It can also be installed on top of many types of existing floors, which can cut the time and cost of a floor remodel significantly. Specifically, vinyl plank flooring can be installed over ceramic tiles.

One of the most cited reasons is that they are completely waterproof.

This makes them an especially great option for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and any other area in which flooding may be an issue. If an accident does occur, they can be dried effectively without showing damage.

Vinyl plank floors are also very easy to clean and ideal for homes with pets.

Vinyl flooring is also very durable. They are very resistant to wear, even in high-traffic areas. Some vinyl floors feature rigid core construction which makes them more stable and sturdy.

They're also easy to maintain and will typically only need regular sweeping and mopping to maintain their aesthetic look.

Vinyl plank floors are a durable flooring option that can transform a room for a relatively low cost. They're often relatively easy to install and can be laid over many types of floors. They can be effectively laid over ceramic tiles if the tiles are in good shape and the grout lines aren't too wide.Vinyl floors, when installed correctly, are completely waterproof and a good option for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.

Vinyl planks represent perhaps the best option for installation over ceramic tile. They come in thicknesses ranging from 2 millimeters (about 1/16 inch) to 8.5 millimeters (about 3/8 inch) and typically float over the subfloor.

Available styles include:

Glue-strip planks: The least expensive vinyl plank option, these planks are held together by peel-and-stick strips.

Luxury vinyl tiles: Constructed in layers, luxury vinyl tiles snap together like laminate planks and feature wood, stone and geometric patterns.

Waterproof vinyl planks: Similar to luxury vinyl tiles, these planks have a waterproof core and are the best choice for bathrooms, laundry rooms and other wet locations.

Rigid-core vinyl planks: These waterproof planks have a rigid core that makes them extra durable and suitable for high-traffic and commercial locations.

Vinyl sheet flooring is one of the least-expensive vinyl options. It's completely waterproof, and though you usually glue it to the subfloor, you can let it float if you prefer to use it as a temporary floor covering, like a carpet. The thickness of sheet flooring is typically less than 3 millimeters (about 1/8 inch).

Ceramic tile is often a suitable surface on which install vinyl planks. It can provide a smooth, even surface, under the vinyl which will allow it to be smooth and tightly sealed.

The ceramic tile must be in good shape, without cracks or large gashes. Also, the grout lines between tiles must not be too large and deep. If the spaces between ceramic tiles are too big, they will eventually show through the flooring and damage its integrity as well as its aesthetic condition.

Additionally, when placing vinyl planks over ceramic tiles it is advisable to use thick vinyl planks, as opposed to the thinner ones.

Planks with a thickness of 5-8 mm are a good option because they will be more capable of laying flush on the tile beneath. This will prevent the vinyl layer from "sinking" into the grout lines.

A good quality vinyl floor is thick enough to be installed without an underlayment, which will only raise the level of the floor and give you headaches around built-in vanities, heat registers, baseboards, and other areas.

Your greatest concerns when installing a vinyl floor over the existing tile are the tile’s joints and the floor’s height.

Before you start, see if any tile is broken or damaged.

Once you’ve removed lose or broken pieces, patch the empty sections with a liquid cement or mortar, letting it settle level with the tile floor.

Next, if the tile’s joints are deep, you’ll want regrout them to bring them flush with the tile so that the lines won’t telegraph — show through — the vinyl floor.

Once the tile is leveled off, your next step is to remove the toilet so that the floor can be laid under it, not cut around it.