Yes, if the tile is flat and solid. Vinyl plank clicks together and floats over the floor underneath, so it can go right over old tile that is tight to the slab. That skips the tear-out, which is the loudest, dustiest part of the job and runs $4 a square foot.
The catch is the word flat. Deep grout lines and tiles that sit higher than their neighbors can show through the plank or make it flex. Often the floor just needs some leveling first to get it flat. If the tile is cracked, loose or hollow, or the extra height causes problems at doors and cabinets, the tile comes out.
We check all of this at the free measure and write both options on your quote, so you can see the difference in dollars.
| Plank over the tile | Tear the tile out | |
|---|---|---|
| Best when | Tile is flat and solid | Tile is cracked, loose or hollow, or height is a problem |
| Extra cost | Leveling only if needed | $4 a square foot |
| Dust and noise | Very little | The loudest, dustiest part of any job |
| Floor height | Goes up by the thickness of the plank | Stays close to where it was |
| Time | Faster: no tear-out day | Adds time for removal and cleanup |
Floating plank needs a flat floor under it. Over tile, the usual problems are grout lines that are wide or deep, and tiles that were set a little higher than the ones next to them. Over time those can show through the plank as faint lines, or make the planks flex when you step on them, which can break the click joints.
The fix is leveling: we fill the grout lines and low spots so the surface is flat before the plank goes down. Leveling is priced by the job, based on how much it takes, and it is written on your quote before we start. If a few tiles are loose or hollow, those spots get fixed or the tile comes out. More on that in what if the subfloor needs work.
Going over tile raises the floor by the thickness of the plank. In most rooms that is no problem. The places we check at the measure are:
If height is a real problem, tearing out the tile is usually the cleaner answer, and we will tell you that up front.
Our vinyl plank runs $8–$17 per square foot all-in: the flooring, installation, standard prep, quarter round, transitions and moving your furniture. Going over tile saves the tear-out.
Example, 500 sq ft of old tile: plank over it runs about $4,000–$8,500, plus any leveling. Tearing the tile out first adds $2,000.
Doing the whole house? Most Jacksonville homes have tile in some rooms and carpet in others. See whole-house vinyl plank for package prices, or vinyl plank installation cost for room-by-room numbers.
“We elected to have them jack-up all of our old ceramic tile, which is typically not a pleasant experience. But, Gator's install crew did a great job with getting it done fast”
— Jennifer, vinyl plank throughout her first floor, Google review
“They did a beautiful job of lining the LVP up with my existing floor.”
— Gator customer, vinyl plank, Google review
Yes, if the tile is flat and solid. Floating vinyl plank can go right over tile that is tight to the slab, though the floor may need some leveling first to get it flat. Cracked, loose or hollow tile should come out first.
They can if they are wide or deep. That is why the floor gets leveled first when it needs it: the grout lines and low spots are filled so the plank sits on a flat surface.
Usually. Going over the tile saves the tear-out, which is $4 per square foot at Gator Carpet and Tile. Some floors need leveling first, which is priced by the job and written on your quote.
Yes, by the thickness of the plank. We check doors, the dishwasher and fridge openings, and where the floor meets other rooms at the free measure. If height is a problem, the tile comes out instead.
Not always. Flat, solid tile can often stay under the plank, which saves money and mess. Cracked or hollow tile, or tile that would cause height problems, comes out. We write both options on your quote so you can compare.
Book a free in-home measure. We check the tile, the floor and the height at your doors, and write both options on your quote.
Get a Free Estimate Call 904-262-7304