Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 29, 1999 06:45am | #1

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   Dear RR,

   If possible, removing the old tile is the better way to go. Covering up one old floor may come back to haunt you in the future.

   Failing this, gluing is a poor choice at best. The ceramic surface is not the best to glue to.

   Assuming the tile is not damaged, the floor is still rock solid, you could use a self-leveling floor topping and then when dry (really dry) cover with your tiles.

   Whatever is used as your underlay MUST be smooth. Any and all imperfections will telegraph through.

   Good Luck...

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 29, 1999 09:06am | #2

   *Absolutely remove your ceramic first. Ceramic tiles are far from a suitable substrate to adhere anything to. Remove them or you will be very sorry down the road. Is there a particular reason why you want to go over the ceramic or are you just trying to half-ass it?Pete Draganic

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 29, 1999 10:08am | #3

   *Gotta' go with Pete on this one. If removing cer. tile sounds like work, it is; in fact, everything in this industry is classified as work. But, to do it right is worth it.Self-leveling, as mentioned by Gabe, would be a second, less desirable choice. But, as he also mentioned, the substrate needs to be absolutely flat. Self-leveling will give you a pretty level floor, but it won't give you a flat floor.This is because there will be tooling marks, pinholes, tiny ridges, etc. left in the self-leveling pour. The pinholes will need to be filled and the ridges and tool marks will need to be smoothed.Why bother with this when you have the option--the best--of removing the ceramic tile?

2. 
   Bencmark | Apr 01, 1999 06:20am | #4

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   I got to agree that the best way to eleminate any future problems would be to remove the ceramic tile. If however you absolutely insist on laying over it you will need a self leveling underlay. as mentioned above. I personaly would recomend useing ARDEX. It is a good reliable self leveling underlaymen. though it is a tad pricey...

3. 
   RR | Apr 01, 1999 06:20am | #5

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   I WANT TO LAY VINYL TILES IN MY KITCHEN OVER THE EXISTING 8" X 8" CERAMIC TILE FLOOR. IT IS SOLID AND LEVEL. UNDERNEATH THAT IS 3/8" OR 1/4" PLYWOOD AND WOOD PLANK SUBFLOOR. CAN I GLUE LUAN RIGHT TO THE TILES? OR IS THERE A SMARTER WAY TO DO THIS?