Laminate flooring is an excellent option for every home. Its installation is easy enough to be done independently, it’s highly resilient, and its modern prints look very realistic. But can you lay laminate flooring over tile floors.
As long as the existing tile is in good condition and free of cracks and uneven sections, then yes, you can lay laminate flooring over tile.
If you’re considering laminate floors for your home, there are some things you should keep in mind before you make that decision.
Humidity, water, or strong, direct sunlight can negatively affect your new flooring. So if you’re still thinking about getting laminate flooring for that kitchenette area or the bedroom, let’s take a look at what you need to consider.
What is Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a type of floating floor installed on top of existing floors like tiles and stone to give a look and feel of hardwood. This means that this floor expands and contracts with heat and moisture independently from the subfloor it’s installed on.
This type of flooring consists of different layers, each with necessary functions and requirements. The base, backing, or stabilizing layer is the lowermost layer, which comes in contact with the subfloor itself or any padding you might’ve needed to install.
Next, the core layer is made out of processed wood like HDF, and it has a patterned layer that’s printed to mimic the exact wood patterns and colors of your choice. Finally, the top layer is a protective wear layer that protects the pattern layer from damage.
Can You Install Laminate Flooring Over Tile
There are numerous types of flooring that can accommodate laminate floors with no issue, but there are some key aspects to consider when making that decision.
Subfloors need to be smooth and hard without too many kinks and variations in height. In a lot of cases, this depends on the state of the flooring rather than the material itself.
Laminate Flooring over Tile
Tile can be an excellent subfloor for laminate flooring, depending on its condition. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are often smooth, and they don’t absorb moisture.
Your floor has to be level and shouldn’t contain large cracks or protruding edges to make sure the laminate flooring doesn’t deteriorate. If this is the state of your flooring, though, there might still be hope yet. It’ll just take more preparation, which will entail filling any existing cracks and chipping these corners away if they’re higher than 1-1.6mm.
Laminate Flooring over Stone
Whether or not you can put laminate flooring on top of stone depends entirely on the type and texture of your existing floor.
Rough stones with lots of tiny crevices and ridges are not suitable for laminate floors, especially if there are any loose parts. But if you have a smoothly cut stone floor, then it’s perfect for laminate flooring.
Can I Install Laminate Flooring Outdoors
No, laminate flooring is sensitive to different weather elements, whether it’s cold, humidity, heat, or direct sunlight. This makes installing it outdoors a surefire way to waste money and effort.
These floors are made strictly for indoor use, with very few exceptions on the market. Even those need specific environments to survive outside.
Many alternatives achieve similar results and won’t start falling apart in a few months.
What Rooms Can I Use Laminate Floors In
Even if you have the perfect subfloor for a laminate flooring project, how certain rooms are used in your house can pose a problem for this type of floor.
Bathrooms
Different sources will tell you that there are ways to put laminate flooring in bathrooms. But the truth is it’s risky and can be a pointless headache.
Laminate floors don’t do well with moisture and humidity. Even if you make sure to keep them dry at all times, laminate floors can absorb moisture out of the air if your bathroom isn’t well-ventilated or if it’s frequently used, like in bigger households.
Living Rooms
Living rooms are the type of rooms that laminate floors were designed for; they’re the most used areas of the house. Besides, they’ll have a lot of kids, pets, and even adults testing the floor’s limits.
Laminate floors are scratch-proof to the daily wear and tear. This makes them ideal for living rooms.
Dining Rooms
Dining chairs being moved around on a daily basis can damage hardwood floors and strip the colors from ceramic tiles.
Laminate floors will eliminate the unattractive rugged look since they’re easier to maintain. They’ll also make cleaning spills much more effortless. However, remember that laminate floors can stain over time.
Bedrooms
Laminate flooring is perfect for bedrooms since you won’t have to worry about spills, stains, or even scratches. It can also transform the feel of the room since it’s softer to the touch and doesn’t get too cold or too hot as it’s 99% wood.
This makes the room feel much cozier and can make being barefoot feel pleasant and warm. Laminate flooring is considered one of the best flooring options for bedrooms.
Kitchens
The answer to whether or not laminate flooring can work for your kitchen depends on, well, your kitchen. For some households, this can be perfect for their usage, but for others, it can get pretty mangled very fast.
Kitchens mix in the conditions of dining rooms with those of a bathroom; you frequently have the risk of spilling water and food, which can damage and stain your laminate floor over time.
If your household has a lot of messy kitchen experiences or lots of accidents, laminate may not be the easiest to keep clean and fresh.
Conclusion
Laminate floors can be an excellent option for your tile dining room or kitchen if you consider how the room is usually used in your household. They’re inexpensive, sturdy, and they look just like the real thing for anywhere between 40% to 70% of the price of hardwood floors.
