How to Install Tile Over Hardwood Floor

Do you have hardwood floors that are old and are not worthy of refinishing? Or maybe you just want a new look for your floors. Whatever the reason may be, you can tile right over the top of your old hardwood floors. Using the right width of backer board will also ensure that you aren't adding a lot of extra width to your floors.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 inch Backer board
• 1 1/4 inch Backer board screws
• Latex modified thin set
• Tile saw
• Tiles
• Tile spacers
• Thin set trowel
• Power drill
• Measuring tape
• Grout
• Grout float
• Grout and tile sealer
• Water
• Grout sponge

Instructions

1. Clean and sweep old hardwood floors. Remove all heating vents that may be on the floor.
   Measure floor area for square footage. Cut all backer board now so that it is ready to be laid when the time comes.

2. Mix thin set in a large plastic bucket. Use a 1/4 x 1/4 x 3/8 margin - tiling trowel to apply the thin set directly onto the hardwood floor.
   Lay the 1/4 inch backer board over the thin set. Screw the backer board into hardwood floors with 1 1/4 inch backer board screws.
   This will need to be done in sections so that the thin set does not dry out too quickly. Apply thin set and then backer board in one section, and then repeat the process until the entire floor is covered.
   Allow the thin set to dry for 24 hours.

3. Prepare to cut your tiles by setting the saw up on a clean worktable. Fill the tray to the saw with water before you plug the saw into the power source. The tiles will need to be cut as you go along; this will ensure that each tile is cut specifically for a certain space.

4. Mix thin set in the same large bucket for a second application that will be applied to the top of the backer board. Spread thin set onto the backer board using the same margin trowel as above. Place tiles directly over top if thin set. Use tile spacers to separate the tiles from each other. Always begin tiling in an area where you will not get trapped and have to walk on the tiles.
   This too will have to be done in sections. Tiles will need to be cut separately as you do each section. Most of the tiles that will need to be cut will be for the outer edges of the floor and around heater vents.
   Do not walk on freshly laid tiles.
   Allow the tiles to cure to thin set for 24 hours.

5. Remove tile spacers.
   Mix grout in a clean bucket. Use a grout float to apply the grout onto the tiled floor, focus in in on the grooves between the tiles. Evenly smooth out the grout using a grout float. Let the grout harden for 20 minutes and then wash tiles clean with warm water and a large grout sponge.
   Allow grout to dry for 72 hours.

6. Apply three coats of a penetrating, high quality grout and tile sealer. Use the sealer that has a brush attached to the bottle.
   Let the sealer dry according to instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear safety glasses when cutting tiles with a saw.