If you’re ready to give your home a new look, you might be intrigued by the idea of epoxy floors. To save yourself the trouble of tearing up the old tile, you might be asking, “Can you epoxy over tile floors?” You certainly can, but it’s smart to know what you’re getting into before committing to this project.
Can You Epoxy over Tile?
Yes, you can lay epoxy over tile. Done correctly, placing epoxy over tile can be a quick way to produce attractive results. It will allow you to change the look of your room without going through the hassle of taking up the old flooring.
Another advantage of epoxying over tile is that it often keeps your floor at about the same height as before. Your doors and entryways may still align smoothly with the floor.
Best Candidates for Epoxy Treatment
Not every tile floor is an ideal candidate for an epoxy layer.
Worn-out tile won’t serve as a reliable foundation. If you have a lot of loose or broken tiles, then it would be better to rip them out first.
Also, epoxy might not adhere very well to high-gloss tiles. If you choose to epoxy over them, you’ll need to take extra steps during the preparation process.
Finally, it’s smart to take a good look at your grout before making your decision. Epoxy won’t stick well to dirty or greasy grout.
Preparing Your Tile Floor for Epoxy
If you’re committed to the idea of epoxying over your tile, then you’ll need to take several steps to get the floor ready.
Clean the Floor
It’s always best to start with a clean work surface. Before beginning, sweep up loose debris, and give the tiles a good scrub.
Help the Epoxy Stick
Your epoxy might not bind well to the tiles as-is, especially if they have a glossy finish or have been treated with a sealer.
One workaround is to roughen the surface of the tiles. You can often do this by sanding them or applying an etching compound.
Even after sanding, some tiles may not be ready for epoxy. In that case, go the extra mile by adding a layer of floor primer.
Smooth the Floor
The tops of your tiles are probably higher than the surrounding grout. To try to keep the grout lines from showing through the epoxy, you’ll need to even the floor’s height.
One option is to sand the tiles to a uniform height. Another suggestion is to apply a levelling compound. Before choosing to go that route, make sure that you’ll still have plenty of clearance for your doors to open and shut.
Decide if Epoxy over Tile is Right for You
If you choose to epoxy over tile, keep in mind that the results may not last forever. Over time, your tile foundation might start to shift, or the grout lines may slowly become more obvious. If you want to know for sure that your results are going to last, take the time to tear out the old tile before beginning.
If you’re comfortable with the risks and are willing to put the work into preparing the surface, then go ahead and give epoxying over tile a try. You may end up with a great-looking floor that lasts for years to come!
