ᐅ Remove the tile floor or install parquet/vinyl flooring over it?
Created on: 13 Sep 2021 00:22
H
HubiTrubi40
Hello everyone,
I raised this topic in another thread, but it seems more appropriate here. I wanted to get an idea of whether it’s feasible to install hardwood flooring over tiles (I wouldn’t do it myself, since I have no experience with this) or if the tiles need to be removed first. I have read that it is possible, but I’m wondering how the transition to the kitchen, which is tiled, or to the hallway works, and whether door trimming would need to be considered. Also, the tiles aren’t perfectly level—I haven’t measured, but there appear to be slight unevenness, and in the middle, the screed seems to have settled a bit (see photo).
What should I expect to pay per square meter (if the tile floor can stay)? I wouldn’t choose expensive hardwood; I’ve seen some nice options around 50 euros/m² (about 4.65 USD/ft²).
Also, upstairs we plan to replace the carpet with hardwood or vinyl flooring (I lean toward hardwood since it can be sanded). The carpet can be removed quite easily, but only the pile; underneath remains a layer (either adhesive or foam). Can flooring be installed over that, or does it need to be completely sanded off?
Thanks in advance and best regards,
Hubi
I raised this topic in another thread, but it seems more appropriate here. I wanted to get an idea of whether it’s feasible to install hardwood flooring over tiles (I wouldn’t do it myself, since I have no experience with this) or if the tiles need to be removed first. I have read that it is possible, but I’m wondering how the transition to the kitchen, which is tiled, or to the hallway works, and whether door trimming would need to be considered. Also, the tiles aren’t perfectly level—I haven’t measured, but there appear to be slight unevenness, and in the middle, the screed seems to have settled a bit (see photo).
What should I expect to pay per square meter (if the tile floor can stay)? I wouldn’t choose expensive hardwood; I’ve seen some nice options around 50 euros/m² (about 4.65 USD/ft²).
Also, upstairs we plan to replace the carpet with hardwood or vinyl flooring (I lean toward hardwood since it can be sanded). The carpet can be removed quite easily, but only the pile; underneath remains a layer (either adhesive or foam). Can flooring be installed over that, or does it need to be completely sanded off?
Thanks in advance and best regards,
Hubi
H
HubiTrubi4020 Dec 2021 10:42ypg schrieb:
You spend days working on it, carpet adhesive is nasty and can't be completely removed even with various toolsHe says he would probably remove the carpet for about 9 Euros/sqm (approximately $9.50/sqft), as an additional service. I’m now waiting for an alternative offer. What’s great about this all-rounder is that he’s quite flexible and has good ideas. That definitely has its advantages. So I’ll probably hire him. By the way, how does warranty work in this case? Does it make a difference whether the person is a certified professional or not? Everything would go through him. He is doing the subfloor preparation, but the actual installation will be done by his colleague, who is a professional floor layer. Would he then be liable? I’m just thinking, for example, if he doesn’t properly seal a crack in the screed and after a year the parquet floor cracks because of that (no idea if that’s realistic). Who would be my point of contact then?H
HubiTrubi4024 Dec 2021 01:17I have now received a second quote and will go with that one. It is actually a master craftsman company with a very good reputation. Surprisingly, it is significantly cheaper. First, the quote is very detailed, with each service described individually, and second, they charge 25 euros for the installation including filling, not 70 euros. Additionally, they will remove the carpet and everything. The painting work is also considerably cheaper with them. So, I will cancel with my all-rounder.
H
HubiTrubi4011 Jan 2022 23:04I have now removed all the tiles... in total, that was almost 100 square meters (1,076 square feet). The tile adhesive is still on the surface. Using a rotary hammer over such a large area is not an option—I’m not putting myself through that. The floor installer will not completely grind off the adhesive but will only smooth the edges and then level the surface. This will, of course, result in a slightly higher floor level. However, since we are also renewing the tiles in the hallway and will only sand those as well, it should all even out. I’m actually relieved that the tiles are finally gone. They were really quite cheap tiles.
In the basement, vinyl flooring was originally planned as a floating floor over tiles. Since the tiles are now removed there as well, it will be tiles over leveled screed as a floating floor instead.
Upstairs, in the converted attic, cork flooring will probably be installed (for impact sound insulation), which will then be laid directly on the OSB panels (most likely glued).
I eventually declined the all-round contractor. Regardless of whether his prices were high or not, he couldn’t explain why he increased them and wasn’t willing to negotiate. In the end, he was rude to me... that was the end of our cooperation.
In the basement, vinyl flooring was originally planned as a floating floor over tiles. Since the tiles are now removed there as well, it will be tiles over leveled screed as a floating floor instead.
Upstairs, in the converted attic, cork flooring will probably be installed (for impact sound insulation), which will then be laid directly on the OSB panels (most likely glued).
I eventually declined the all-round contractor. Regardless of whether his prices were high or not, he couldn’t explain why he increased them and wasn’t willing to negotiate. In the end, he was rude to me... that was the end of our cooperation.
W
Wilhelm202225 Jan 2022 13:03Hello Hutchinson,
did the tile removal go well, and how long did it take you? I have a similar project planned. We have carpet covering 100m² (1,076ft²) and 10m² (108ft²) of tiles... I also want to remove those myself. My installer told me he charges 15 euros per m² (about $14 per ft²) and 7 euros per linear meter (about $7 per linear yard) for the baseboards.
I am really concerned about the tile adhesive after reading about it here. However, I heard a floor grinder is very helpful for that and can be rented.
Best regards
did the tile removal go well, and how long did it take you? I have a similar project planned. We have carpet covering 100m² (1,076ft²) and 10m² (108ft²) of tiles... I also want to remove those myself. My installer told me he charges 15 euros per m² (about $14 per ft²) and 7 euros per linear meter (about $7 per linear yard) for the baseboards.
I am really concerned about the tile adhesive after reading about it here. However, I heard a floor grinder is very helpful for that and can be rented.
Best regards
H
Hutchinson12325 Jan 2022 21:50Hello Wilhelm,
The two of us using two rotary hammers took about 15 hours to remove tiles from a hallway of 6 m² (65 ft²) and a kitchen of 10 m² (108 ft²) — after subtracting cabinets, probably around 13-14 m² (140-150 ft²) in total.
The tiles came off in about two hours, but the adhesive was really tough.
We had to chip away each piece individually and then carefully clean the leftover residue under the door frames.
So, that’s quite a heavy job. The material isn’t called tile mortar for nothing.
Earplugs and a dust mask are a must.
The floor grinder is only for the final smoothing of the last adhesive remains.
Before that, you won’t get around the rotary hammer.
However, there are apparently large professional machines available that can probably do more.
Am I reading correctly that your installer charges you 15 €/m² (1.40 $/ft²) for tiles and adhesive?
At that price, I wouldn’t hesitate to let a professional handle it — and I say this as someone who usually prefers to do everything myself when possible.
I’m not sure about carpet adhesive, but I think you can probably just grind that off.
PS:
Having to deal with issues like in the attached picture also adds extra time later on.
I had to fill and level that.
And apply self-leveling compound along the entire kitchen run because we had a noticeable hump in the screed.
The two of us using two rotary hammers took about 15 hours to remove tiles from a hallway of 6 m² (65 ft²) and a kitchen of 10 m² (108 ft²) — after subtracting cabinets, probably around 13-14 m² (140-150 ft²) in total.
The tiles came off in about two hours, but the adhesive was really tough.
We had to chip away each piece individually and then carefully clean the leftover residue under the door frames.
So, that’s quite a heavy job. The material isn’t called tile mortar for nothing.
Earplugs and a dust mask are a must.
The floor grinder is only for the final smoothing of the last adhesive remains.
Before that, you won’t get around the rotary hammer.
However, there are apparently large professional machines available that can probably do more.
Am I reading correctly that your installer charges you 15 €/m² (1.40 $/ft²) for tiles and adhesive?
At that price, I wouldn’t hesitate to let a professional handle it — and I say this as someone who usually prefers to do everything myself when possible.
I’m not sure about carpet adhesive, but I think you can probably just grind that off.
PS:
Having to deal with issues like in the attached picture also adds extra time later on.
I had to fill and level that.
And apply self-leveling compound along the entire kitchen run because we had a noticeable hump in the screed.
W
Wilhelm202226 Jan 2022 14:42Hello Hutchinson,
thank you for your feedback. Wow, that’s definitely quite a challenge. However, I have read often enough that it’s really tiring work. I’m planning to borrow an 11 kg (24 lb) demolition hammer and hope that will make the job easier. The cost of 30 euros per day should be worth it.
Sorry, I wasn’t clear… for the installation, he charges 15 euros per square meter (sq m), and I would do the preparation work myself to save some money.
Best regards
thank you for your feedback. Wow, that’s definitely quite a challenge. However, I have read often enough that it’s really tiring work. I’m planning to borrow an 11 kg (24 lb) demolition hammer and hope that will make the job easier. The cost of 30 euros per day should be worth it.
Sorry, I wasn’t clear… for the installation, he charges 15 euros per square meter (sq m), and I would do the preparation work myself to save some money.
Best regards
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