Can I lay laminate flooring on tiles?
Many homes have floors that are no longer in keeping with modern tastes. Tiled floors are an example of this. Tiles do make a sturdy and hard-wearing floor covering – but to be honest: a tiled floor is rarely particularly pretty and homely. Depending on current fashion and taste, there is a whole range of different floor coverings available. Over time, the tastes or needs of the occupants can change, so that, for example, the tiled floor installed years ago no longer corresponds to fashion. Moreover, time also leaves its mark on tiled flooring. Individual cracked tiles are actually the normal case, so that this covering becomes unsightly over time.
Knocking tiles off the subfloor is a strenuous and dirty job that not everyone wants to put themselves through. In particular, renovation while living on the premises should be carried out as quickly as possible and without too much dirt.
One way out of this cool, sterile look is to lay laminate on tiles. With the right preparation, it is possible to leave the old tiled floor in place. Compared to vinyl flooring, there is no danger with laminate on tiles that the joints on the new covering will show through. In addition, laminate is an environmentally friendly floor covering that is particularly easy to care for and therefore positive for the indoor climate.
What you need to bear in mind when laying laminate flooring on tiled floors
To lay laminate flooring on tiles, the subfloor should meet a few requirements:
- The tiled floor should be level
- The tiled area should be dry
- The tiles and the subfloor should be stable
Therefore, before laying, check that the subfloor has a maximum height difference of 3 millimetres per running metre. This value should not be exceeded, as the laminate may yield too much under load at these points and crack, especially in the area of the joints. Smaller uneven areas such as joints between individual tiles can be eliminated with the help of levelling compound.
Tiles or fragments that are loose or wobbly should be fixed with a suitable adhesive. This movable subfloor does not provide the laminate with the required stability. This can lead to unwanted footfall sound. In the worst case, the panels can also be damaged by the movement, resulting in a repair of the laminate flooring.
For the same reason, you should also look out for cracks in the joints or tiles, especially if cracks spread across several panels. This may also indicate an uneven subfloor. Glue these cracks with a suitable resin and check that the tile surface is absolutely flat and level. Any subsidence must be adapted with levelling compound.
Another practical option is to use suitable insulation. The laminate flooring is laid floating on this – i.e. without being glued to the subfloor. The insulation not only compensates for unevenness, but also acts as impact sound insulation. This helps to prevent unpleasant noise when walking. If there is underfloor heating under the tiles, you must ensure that you use the right impact sound insulation. For example, use Expert Aquastop insulating underlay, which, thanks to its low thermal resistance, allows the heat to reach the surface of the floor. However, you should always use a vapour barrier – for example a PE film – to prevent condensation from forming due to temperature differences caused by underfloor heating, for example, or to prevent moisture from entering the laminate through the tile joints. Without a suitable vapour barrier, swelling can occur which can damage the laminate on top of the tiled floor.
Since you are adding an extra layer on top of the existing flooring, it may be necessary to shorten door leaves and frames at the bottom. This is especially important for the door so that it does not scratch the laminate flooring and thus damage it.
Any height differences between the new laminate flooring and the flooring in adjoining rooms can be evened out using adapter profiles. This prevents unsightly edges and dangerous tripping hazards.
General tips and the exact procedure can be found in the instructions for laying laminate flooring.
Other suitable substrates for laying laminate flooring
In addition to tiles, other substrates are also suitable for laying laminate flooring:
- mineral substrates (screed, concrete, asphalt)
- chipboard structures
- wooden floorboards or parquet
- old substrates with hard covering such as stone floor, ceramic PVC or vinyl flooring
LOGOCLIC® has everything you need for laying laminate on tiles
Visit your local BAUHAUS specialist centre for accessories for laying laminate such as a laying set, vapour barrier film, impact sound installation or LOGOCLIC® Clickguard™ for sealing. Take a look at the comprehensive range of laminate floors from LOGOCLIC®!
Laminate can also be laid on other substrates. Find out what you need to bear in mind when laying laminate on carpet or what special features there are if you want to lay laminate on PVC.
