Plenty of Gold Coast homes still have 1990s floor tiles through the living areas. The good news is that hybrid flooring can often go straight over them, saving the noise, dust and cost of jackhammering them out.
Yes, hybrid flooring can usually be laid over existing tiles if they are firmly stuck down, flat within the maker's tolerance and free of cracked or drummy (hollow) tiles. Deep grout lines may need filling. Expect the floor to rise by around the plank thickness, so doors may need trimming.
When tiles can stay
Good signs
- Tiles are flat with no lifted edges
- No hollow sound when tapped
- Grout lines are narrow or can be filled
- There is room for the extra height at doors and transitions
When tiles should come up
- Loose, cracked or drummy tiles that move underfoot
- Large height differences between rooms that would leave a step
- Signs of moisture or a failed waterproof membrane
- Tiles in an old wet area being converted to living space
Doors, skirting and transitions
Laying over tiles raises the floor, so internal doors often need trimming and transitions to other floors need the right trim. Some owners also replace skirting boards at the same time for a cleaner finish; our skirting and architraves team can handle that in the same job.
Laying over tiles keeps you toward the lower end of our $45 to $90 per m² range because there is no removal. See hybrid flooring cost for the pricing tiers, or our hybrid flooring Gold Coast page for the full service.
Want to know if your tiles can stay? We will check them on site and quote a fixed price.
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