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Can you Tile over Tiles?:
Pros and Cons with Complete Guide

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At Royal Tiles, we often come across interesting questions and problems related to tiles. One such tricky yet frequent question that we get from tile enthusiasts, home decorators and interior designers is, “ Can you tile over existing tiles?”

Our response to this tile query is not a direct yes or no. Our tile experts weigh in on this and provide the best suggestions and we let you decide if this is the right choice for you or not.

Installing tiles over tiles, pros and cons of tiling over tiling and why should you or should not tile straight over existing tiles? These are some of the popular questions that we receive from our prized customers.

So, in this blog, we have consulted with our seasoned tile experts who are some of the best in the business to debunk the myths related to tiling over tiles.

Peter Yusuf - April 14, 2025

When Should You Opt for Tile over Tiles?

Before we delve into how to lay tile over tiles, it’s important to address the scenarios that lead up to the point where you may have to make a choice between whether or not to tile over existing tiles.

So, here are the circumstances where it is better to lay tile over tiles:

 

For smaller areas:

If you are upgrading smaller spaces like kitchen splashbacks, laying tiles over the existing tiles can be a useful option.

 

If the substrate is strong

Uneven or weak substrates like plasterboard are a red flag for tiling over. If the sub-flooring is rock solid, you may proceed.

Pros and Cons of tiling over Existing Tiles

Pros

  • You can Save Time and Money

Tiling over tiles allows you to save time and money as you don’t need to spend extra dollars for the complete demolition job and you can get started quickly as removing the entire tiles can take time and be an overwhelming process.


  • Less Disruptive Affair

The sound of tile demolition and continuous noise in the background is definitely not a pleasant noise to bear especially if you have kids in the house or you are a working professional who works from home.

Tiling over tiles saves you from all this trouble and you can proceed with the renovation job without much hassle and chaos.

 

Cons:

  • Possible Substrate Issues

If the existing tiles are uneven, cracked, or loose, tiling over isn’t the recommended solution. Without the right and firm base, your new tiles are likely to move and crack as well making this a disaster.


  • Moisture Issues

Talk about exacerbating the situation,  if your existing tiles have moisture or leak problems, the tiles you lay over them are also likely to bear the consequences and your new tile layer is also bound to have moisture issues.



  • Height Increases

Tiling over increases the height of a floor or a wall and may require trimming to get the right surface height. 



  • Waterproofing

In case of bathrooms and other wet areas, you may need to remove the existing tiles for proper waterproofing and start with a new waterproofing layer.

Tips before Tiling over Existing Tiles

In case tiling over existing tiles turns out to be in your favor and you need to go ahead with procedure, please follow these guidelines to ensure that you are taking the right approach:

Inspect Existing Tiles

If you are replacing tiles over a large area, make sure that you inspect the existing tiles. Make sure that the existing tiles are not cracked, damaged or loose.

 

Clean the Surface

Clean the surface over the existing tiles carefully and get rid of dirt, adhesives and grout to make sure the layer is smooth for new tiles.

Use Appropriate Materials like Adhesive

Do not ignore the importance of good materials like proper materials like adhesive for tiling over tiling. Use high-quality materials for this purpose.

Consider Waterproofing

Check that you have proper waterproofing in areas like bathrooms or wet areas before you start tiling over existing tiles.

Use a Primer:

You can also use a primer to the layer of the existing tiles as it helps the new tiles adhere better.

Sand the Surface and Fill Grout-Lines

Sand the surface of the existing tiles to create a rougher surface as this also helps in the adhering process for the new tiles. Also you can fill the gaps or uneven grout lines with a coat of thin-set mortar.

The Final Verdict: Can you tile Over Existing Tiles? 

Yes, it is definitely possible to tile over existing tiles. It is not a completely impossible endeavor. However, our verdict is, it is always better to weigh in all the options before you choose one.

We still recommend that you start by removing old tiles before applying the old tiles for a safe and secure result. This helps to avoid tile cracking, uneven surfaces and waterproofing issues.

However, if you are replacing tiles on smaller areas, you can choose the first option. Both the options have their pros and cons.

If you are still confused about this, visit our tile gurus at Royal Tiles showroom in Parramatta, Sydney for a free consultation and also purchase from the most extensive collection of tiles in all of Australia.

Peter Yusuf - Royal Tiles

Peter Yusuf

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Peter Yusuf is a seasoned Sales and Business Development Manager at Royal Tiles in Sydney, Australia, with a proven track record of success in the global architectural and interior design sectors. With over a decade of experience, he possesses a rich understanding of tile selection and design that has helped countless clients transform their spaces. Peter's expertise spans a wide array of materials and styles, positioning him as a trusted authority in the tile industry.

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