Can You Install Hardwood Flooring On Tiles?

You have a tile floor but you are sick and tired of looking at these old and boring tiles. And here is a new idea that sparks in your mind – why don’t you have a beautiful hardwood floor installed in your home, a hardwood floor that will last for decades and look elegant, create an atmosphere of cosiness and warmth, contribute to your home’s interior with a lot of charm and character. Such a great idea, however, you don’t want to go through all the hassle and spend a lot of money on removing the tiles. Is it possible to have your hardwood floor installed on top of the tiles? Well, let’s find out.

In a nutshell, the answer is yes, it is possible to have a hardwood floor installed on top of tiles. However, there are many aspects that should be considered and a lot of factors that will affect and determine such a project. Learn more about how a hardwood floor could be laid on tiles.

Are All Types Of Hardwood Flooring Suitable For Installation On Top Of Tiles?

Whenever you decide to have a real wood floor installed on top of tile flooring, you definitely want to choose an engineered wood floor for that as it is the best choice you have. Engineered wood flooring is an advanced and modern wood flooring product that is made out of real wood materials and products. Engineered wood floorboards come with a unique structure, where the core of every floorboard is structured out of layers of softwood or plywood glued together and crisscrossed and then the floorboard is topped with a lamella top layer of hardwood.

Thanks to its specific structure, engineered wood floors are less prone to moisture and water damage compared to classic solid wood and parquet floors. In addition, engineered wood flooring offers a lot more flexibility and opportunities when it comes to installation. You can install engineered wood flooring on top of different types of subfloors and even on top of subfloors that cannot be completely levelled for some reason. Engineered wood flooring can also be installed in the floating method and on top of the underfloor heating system.

Thanks to engineered wood's construction of layers, less tension will be transferred from the wooden floor to the tiles underneath it. However, if you still prefer to have a solid wood floor installed on top of the tiles, you can still do that. But remember, it is necessary to have the right sort of underlayment installed first, normally one known as a decoupling pad or fleece, that will work as the transition between the solid wood floorboards and the tiles underneath.

How to Prepare the Tile Floor?

Now, in case the tile floor is a large one with stable and solid tiles, it will be easier to proceed with the installation of a wooden floor on top of it without any specific or challenging preparation. Still, no matter the style of tile flooring you are working with, proper preparation is required so the installation process runs smoothly and the final results achieved are optimal.

The initial step of the process is a thorough cleaning of the tile flooring and removing all dirt build-up as well as all residue that may be left by different cleaning products. Furthermore, the substrate for installing hardwood flooring on tiles must be levelled and in good condition. Therefore, make sure that all damaged tiles are replaced or fixed. A good way to check the condition of the tile flooring is by tapping on every single tile.

In case you notice a hollow sound or a loose tile, make sure to fix it or remove it and replace it with a new one in perfect condition or with a filler. If required, the tile floor could also be covered with a two-component epoxy resin primer that will create a very flat surface and work as an adhesion bridge. Since the epoxy primer would create a surface that could potentially be too smooth for efficient gluing, before the epoxy resin is fully dry, it is sprinkled with quartz sand. This will ensure the bonding of the filler that will be applied afterwards.

Next, a suitable levelling compound should be applied that will level all gaps and unevenness. Once the substrate is completely dry, the process can proceed with the laying the wooden floorboards. In general, it is highly advisable to have the whole process delivered by an experienced and knowledgeable wood floor specialist.

Gluing Down or Floating Installation?

Hardwood flooring can be installed over tile flooring both by gluing the floorboards down or utilizing the floating method. In general, wood flooring professionals recommend having the floorboards glued down to the tiles as this will ensure a more stable, solid, and durable hardwood floor. In addition, thanks to the fixed connection between the hardwood floor and tiles, you will be able to increase the sound-proofing properties of the floor, so you don’t need any additional footfall insulation. However, if you opt for a floating installation, make sure to have a soundproofing underlayment installed.