Can you install PVC flooring directly over existing tiles? This was our key concern a few months ago during the renovation of our living room, kitchen, and utility room. Our home's subfloors vary widely: ceramic tiles in the living room, kitchen, and hall; smooth tiles in the utility room; concrete in the office; and more tiles in the chill area. This inconsistency made PVC installation challenging—but we've done it successfully and can share our real-world insights.
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As experienced renovators, we researched extensively before committing to PVC over our uneven tiles. While research helps, hands-on execution provides the real lessons. If you're considering PVC over tiles, this guide draws from our project to help you decide confidently and avoid pitfalls.
We'll detail our subfloor prep, installation process, and results for a flawless finish.
Start by selecting the right PVC type for your tile subfloor. Consider quality, installation method (glue-down or click), and thickness. We chose a premium click PVC from Ambiant Floors' VT Wonen collection—8mm total (5mm top layer, 3mm rigid underlay). This DIY-friendly option handles minor imperfections well.
Glue-down PVC requires a perfectly level surface over tiles, even smooth ones—you'll need leveling compound to fill joints. Click systems like ours offer more flexibility, which proved ideal in our multi-room project.
Direct installation over rough tiles isn't viable. We explored underlayments like Isotac Gold, but experts at Ambiant advised against it. Tiles' texture and wide, irregular joints create an unstable base.
For a durable PVC floor, prioritize a flat subfloor. We leveled our living room, hall, and kitchen tiles. In the utility room with smoother tiles, we skipped full leveling—more on that below.
Our kitchen tiles sat lower than the utility room's smooth ones. Removing the threshold and leveling allowed seamless PVC connection. Months later, it's performing perfectly.
Click PVC over tiles works if conditions are met:
Leveling tiles for PVC? From our project, here are pro tips:
