New flooring on top of old tiles

[KatyS]

Hi,

we are looking to do new floors throughout quite a few rooms.

Is it relatively easy to lay wood/bamboo flooring on top of tiles, or is it better to go to the extra expense or removing the floor tiles from the start?

Thanks in advance,

[Jason]

Welcome to Workshop @KatyS. It's great to have you join the community. I hope you find it useful and fun, and I look forward to you posting more about your projects.

I'm sure community members will be keen to promptly assist with your flooring question. 

Jason

[Jackson]

Hey @KatyS, you're definitely better off removing the old tiles. In fact, I'd say 100% do not even consider laying new flooring over tiles. It's messy, but you should be able to DIY it.

[Kermit]

Once you get the first couple of tiles up you should find it pretty quick and easy to lift up the rest. So the only expense apart from your time is removing the rubbish. Do you know what surface is under the tiles? Whatever it is it should be a lot easier canvas for the new flooring. 

[PJA]

You can quite easily lay a floating floor over tiles.
Consider that the floor ( tiles) have to be less than 4mm out of level per metre. Place one of the boards on it's edge and look at the gap under it. Don't worry about the grout hollows.
If it has rises more than 3mm you will need to level.
Note self leveling ardits, floor leveling compounds don't self level.
You need to screed them over the area.
This process is much simpler than it sounds and will need to be done even if you remove the tiles.
Before we even get this far, will the added height interfere with anything, like doors?
If so you will have to shave the door bottom to accommodate.
This done lay the thin foam underlay. Just plop it on the floor. No glueing.
Then starting on the long wall plop the flooring down along the wall,leaving a 10mm gap ( all way around).
Then simply work your way across - starting each row in line with the first going along each row.
A great tip is, when you get near the end of the first row , take the next piece and line it up as though ready to join. Turn it over lengthwise, leaving the 10mm gap place it over the last piece. The where the last piece ends is where you cut your piece.
Turn it back over and it fits nicely and you then use the offcut to start your next row.

[Oldfart]

Whichever way you decide to go, make sure that you use the correct underlay. Using carpet underlay is a no-no, as it allows the boards too much movement. Apart from possibly damaging the boards, it will sound like walking on cracking egg shells.
When you buy your boards, make sure you get a few extra. If you have to replace a board or two in the future, finding a matching colour or pattern will be difficult.
Good luck with your project.

[BigSteve]

Laying flooring over tiles is OK provided that all the tiles are solid and not showing any signs of coming loose. If you remove them you will have to spend a lot of effort in getting the underlying surface flat again (removing the old adhesive). The deciding factor will usually come down what the finished floor level will be and will it be consistent from room to room. Doors can be trimmed and will probably need to be in most cases, unless the floating floor is replacing carpet. You want to avoid having a step where one area intersects with another. The general rule is that it does not really matter what the substrate is as long as it is flat and stable. Good luck with the project.