How to Install Tile Over Wood Laminate Flooring

Tile is much more durable than laminate flooring.

Wood laminate flooring is a popular flooring option, but it doesn't have the durability of tile. Laminate flooring will last approximately 20 to 25 years, but a good tile floor installation will help the floor last a lifetime if you properly maintain it. Installing tile over laminate means you don't need to pull up your existing laminate flooring before you install tile flooring. The key to a professional tile floor installation over laminate flooring is providing a sturdy surface to support your tile.

Things You'll Need

• Backer board
• Drill
• Wood screws
• Chalk line
• Tape measure
• Thin-set mortar
• Trowel
• Bucket
• Spacers
• Wet saw
• Marker
• Grout
• Sponge

Instructions

Preparation

1. Lay backer board down on the laminate floor. Backer board is a solid surface that provides the tile the stability it needs to remain in place. Because laminate floors float above the subfloor, they're too unstable to install tile onto directly. Adding backer board solves that problem. Drill wood screws through your backer board and into the subfloor to secure the backer board in place.

2. Run a chalk line from the middle of opposite walls, and then snap the chalk line to lay down a line of chalk that runs from wall to wall. Find the middle points of the other two walls in your room and run the chalk line between the two. Snap the chalk line to create a second line of chalk that runs perpendicular to the first line. The location where the two chalk lines intersect is the middle of the room.

3. Apply a thin layer of thin-set mortar over the top of your backer board. Work in a 2-by-3-foot area where you will install your first row of tile. Spread the thin-set mortar with the flat edge of a trowel and wait 10 minutes to let the thin-set mortar sit. Turn your trowel over to the notched side and apply a thicker coat of thin-set mortar on top of your first coat.

Installation

1. Press your first tile down into the thin-set mortar in one of the corners created in the middle of the room by the intersecting chalk lines.

2. Place spacers on the edge of your first tile, and then install your second tile right next to the spacer. Line up the edges with the chalk line so you know the tiles run in a straight line.

3. Work from the center of the room out to the edges, installing tile in straight rows and using the same size spacers in between each tile.

4. Measure the space available for each tile that requires cutting. Transfer those measurements to your tile so you know how large the tile should be.

5. Cut each tile that requires cutting with a wet saw. To speed this process, mark the cuts you need to make on the tile, and then use that line as a guide as you cut with a wet saw. Install the cut tile, and then let your tile floor sit overnight before you apply grout.

Finish

1. Mix grout with lukewarm water according to the manufacturer's instructions. You know you have the right grout consistency when it has the same feel as mayonnaise.

2. Spread the grout over your tile with the flat edge of your trowel, working the grout between each tile. Wait 30 minutes so the grout can set up.

3. Wipe up excess grout on top of your tile with a damp sponge. Keep a bucket with clean water nearby. Frequently dip the sponge in the clean water to help you clean up more quickly.

4. Allow your grout to sit overnight before you use your tile floor.

Tips & Warnings

• Save your tile-cutting for the end. That way, you can rent a wet saw and keep it for only the duration you need to do all of your cutting. If you cut as you go, you could end up paying more because you'll have to pay to rent a wet saw for the entire duration of your tile floor installation project.

References

• This Old House: How to Tile a Floor
• Danny Lipford: Installing Tile Over A Wood Subfloor