Install Hardwood Over Old Floors? Yes and No

Here's a question often asked in home improvement forums across the web. Let's say you're faced with a older ceramic tile floor that had seen it's better days. Most contractors will quote a tear out price anywhere from $2.00 to $ 5.00 per square foot. I can see the gulping now! "Yikes, that's almost as much as we had budgeted for a new floor!"

Why not install the new hardwood floor over the tile? This way you'll save quite a bit in the long run. Not to mention the fact removing old tile is a very messy job. If it wasn't prepped properly you'll be finding dust for months to come. Thin set dust, the worst part of the project clings to everything including walls and ceilings.

One important tip to consider here before it's too late is what the new floor will look like with door entries (photo right). Best to be prepared ahead of time if the door won't close without being caught on the new floor.

For wood type doors solutions are more simple than metal if this applies to you. They can be trimmed at the bottom allowing for the new floor height. However a new threshold will have to be installed, bringing the height back in line with the door and new door sweep.

Hey, if I can install hardwood over tile why not over carpeting? Sorry folks, it's gotta go. Carpeting and the carpet pad will not work with any hardwood floor including floating. Reasons being it has too much give for a floating floor, and fasteners will not hold effectively for naildown type floors.

With naildown type floors as long as the existing floor underneath is fastened properly, installing a new over it will work. However certain precautions should be taken to insure a successful job. First with nail or stapled floors it's advisable to install the new the opposite direction of the old. Reasons being the new will expand and contract in the same manner as the old. In other words if you had gapping with the old you will also get it with the new.

By installing opposite the expansion and contraction properties will not be pulling the underlying floor with it. If you're dead set on the same direction the only options are either installing minimum 3/8" plywood over the old or removing the existing floor.

Any type of floating floor systems that are not attached to the existing floor do not require any changes. Simply install any direction. Though we don't have enough experience with installing new gluedown floors over old, extra preparations should be taken into account for a successful bonding of new wood to old. Steps such as removing any finish on the older floor by way of sanding the surface to create a rough appearance.

For roll or sheet vinyl any floating or nail/staple floor will work successfully, with a possible exception of engineered floors that use a shorter thinner gauged staple. Multiple layers of vinyl may inhibit a successful installation. Floating floors also fall into this category but any direct glue down floors should be addressed differently. For actual vinyl composition tiles the only suggested installation type would be a floating floor.