I have a 5’x12′ marble-tiled entryway in my house which I’d like to re-tile with a more contemporary tile. Because the marble’s in good structural shape, I’d like to just lay the new tile right on top of the old marble. In the rooms adjoining the entryway, I just added new hardwood flooring , which currently sits about 5/8″ higher than the marble. So adding a new layer of tile shouldn’t affect the transitions between rooms.
Has anyone out there layed tile on top of tile? Any kind words of wisdom? I’d really rather not tear out the old tile unless I really have to.
Thanks.
-jd
Replies
I'm not a tile setter, but I was just faced with the same situation as you, and I consulted a pro with 30 years experience. He said absolutely do not install tile over tile. The clerk at HD will tell you it's OK, but you really have to have a smooth, solid surface for a good tile job.
It will be messy, but get yourself a pair of goggles, a big cold chisel and a small sledge and break out the old tile. Once it's gone, chip off all the thinset and grout, and then put down another layer of 1/2 plywood (do not use particle board). Screw the plywood down with 1 3/4" floor screws on a 6-8" grid. You want a very solid subfloor with no bounce.
Fortunately you don't have a very large area. I know you'd rather not remove the old floor, but I'd do it the right way now, and save yourself a cracked tile down the road.
Tile over tile is possible but you have to rough up the existing tile so the adhesive has something to grab. A stone mounted on a grinder will do the trick but your entire house will be covered with a layer of talc like dust. Doing so will also ruin the finish on the marble. You may be better off storing the exsting marble in your basement than under a new tile floor.
Turtleneck
What is the existing tile sitting on?
1st floor slab or wood construction?
if it's wood, whats on top of the joist and how thick?
60sqft really wouldn't take you long to demo out and the mess wouldn't be all that bad. The insurance you would gain by knowing the subflooring is sound would be worth it IMO.
I believe the tile is sitting on 3/4" plywood subfloor on top of the floor joists. If consistent with the rest of the house, the joists and subfloor are in really good shape.
you can do it......you can do it...get to work already!My life is my practice!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
If the marbles been there a while with no cracking then its "absolutly" fine to tile over it. I've done it numorous times with no negative results.
Be sure to roughen up the existing tile a bit...clean it really well and use a liquid latex additive to the thinset rather than water. Its stickier and better adhesion, and wears better as well.
Be sure you use the right thinset that allows an additive. Read the directions before you buy it. Its usually the cheaper thinset.
Be well and have fun
andy
My life is my practice!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Andy, I agree with you.
Have done it both ways, but "if sound" an overlay is fine.