Yes, You Can You Put Luxury Vinyl Over Your Floor Tile

April 26, 2025

msi-featured-image-yes-you-can-you-put-luxury-vinyl-over-your-floor-tile

Updating your flooring is one of the fastest ways to dramatically refresh the look and feel of any room. But if your current floors are covered in ceramic or porcelain tile, you might be hesitant to move forward, especially when you consider the time, labor, and cost involved in tearing out old tile. Fortunately, there’s a smarter, more efficient alternative: luxury vinyl tile flooring.

Luxury vinyl tile is a modern flooring solution that offers the perfect blend of style, durability, and convenience. One of its biggest advantages? It can often be installed directly over existing tile, saving you both time and demolition costs. Whether you're renovating a kitchen, bathroom, or entryway, LVT allows you to bypass the mess of tile removal while still giving your space a fresh, updated look.

msi-mountains-gray-luxury-vinyl-tile-with-concrete-look-in-loftTrecento Mountain Gray Luxury Vinyl Tile

Engineered for performance and ease, LVT is not only waterproof and scratch-resistant, but also incredibly low-maintenance, making it ideal for high-traffic or moisture-prone areas. Its installation process is DIY-friendly and often uses a click-lock or glue-down method, depending on your chosen product and subfloor condition. But before installation, it's essential to properly prepare your existing tile surface. A smooth, clean, and level base will ensure your new vinyl tile flooring performs beautifully for years to come.

Preparation Tips 

The first thing you should check is the height of your new LVT flooring over your existing flooring. If it’s too high on top of your tile, you won’t be able to open doors, built-ins, or cabinets properly, and it can also impact other items like baseboards, heat registers, and thresholds. If this happens, it’s better to remove your old tile first, but if it fits well without issues, then proceed with the rest of the prep. 

It’s crucial to have a clean, smooth, and dry subfloor when installing tile, but since you’ll be laying Luxury Vinyl Flooring over your current floor, it also needs to be in excellent condition. Any cracks, loose tiles, or uneven spots in your ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone tile could lead to major issues with your luxury vinyl flooring in the future. You will need to use mortar to patch areas where you remove broken pieces and ensure that every small problem is fixed before proceeding with the installation. 

msi-kenzi-taza-luxury-vinyl-tile-flooring-in-the-bathroomKenzzi Taza Luxury Vinyl Tile

Another thing to keep in mind is the size of your tile’s grout lines. Ideally, they should be 1/4-inch wide or less, because if they’re too wide or deep, the LVT can press into the grout lines, making them stand out. Don’t worry, if you come across this issue, there are two simple solutions: you can either fill in the grout with thinset mortar or add an underlayment between the floors to hide the lines. Plus, this extra layer gives you the flexibility to switch back to your old flooring later if you wish, without causing any damage. 

Installing Over Tile 

Installing vinyl flooring with an easy locking system saves more time and money compared to glue-down flooring. That’s because the cost to install the glue-down vinyl can be roughly the same as hiring a professional to remove the tiles first. However, if you choose to buy glue-down tile, you’ll need to apply a layer of skim coat or self-leveler on top of the tile. Then, you can spread the adhesive for the vinyl and install the LVT. 

When you’re ready to replace your old, worn-out tile with something new, opt for luxury vinyl tile. Because it comes in stunning colors and has natural textures that imitate real stone, it complements any design style. By following these tips, you can confidently install LVT over your existing tile.

msi-marbello-trecento-luxury-vinyl-tile-flooring-with-marble-lookCalacatta Marbello Trecento Luxury Vinyl Tile

The Perfect DIY Project

A DIY project in progress, there’s no easier way to replace laminate, tile flooring, or carpet than installing LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile). From prep work and step-by-step instructions to tips, tools, and materials, follow these Vinyl Flooring Installation guidelines for everything you need to know to achieve professional results. You can get started today and complete the project in just a few days – with professional, polished results. If that sounds appealing to you, read Luxury Vinyl Flooring Installation best practices for optimal results.

Would you like to explore more about luxury vinyl tile? Our Definitive Guide to Luxury Vinyl Tile is a great resource to discover everything you need to know. Plus, you can watch these helpful vinyl flooring videos to get insights into different styles, installation tips, and maintenance advice. If you're curious about pricing, our luxury vinyl tile pricing guide is here to assist you. And when you're ready to buy, here are some excellent options for where to buy luxury vinyl tile.

For personalized assistance, contact us via online chat, visit an MSI showroom, or an MSI authorized dealer near you.

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