LVP Over Old Tile — Yay or Nay? I've Done Both, Here's What Happens in Year 3

The Kitchen Job That Split My Opinion

A few years back I had two similar kitchen jobs within the same month. Both had dated ceramic tile from the 1990s that the homeowners hated. One family wanted it completely removed. The other asked if we could just float new LVP over it to save time and money.

I did both. Three years later the results told very different stories.

Floors take a beating every day. Don’t let them beat your budget too.

Option 1: Full Tile Removal — The Cleaner but More Expensive Path

On the first job we demoed the old tile completely. That meant:

• Breaking up and hauling away hundreds of pounds of ceramic

• Dealing with stubborn thinset adhesive

• Repairing and leveling the subfloor

• Installing new LVP on a fresh, flat surface

Pros:

• Best long-term result

• Proper height transitions to adjacent rooms

• No risk of old tile movement affecting the new floor

• Cleaner overall feel

Cons:

• Much more expensive (demo + disposal + extra labor)

• Longer timeline and more dust

• Higher chance of finding surprises underneath

Total cost difference was about $3,200 more than the overlay option on a 180 sq ft kitchen.

Option 2: Floating LVP Over Existing Tile — The Shortcut

On the second job we prepped the old tile as best we could — deep cleaning, grinding down high spots, filling low areas, and laying a quality underlayment before floating the LVP.

What happened by year three:
The floor still looked good overall, but there were a few issues. Minor telegraphing of some grout lines in certain lighting. One area near the sink showed slight movement where the old tile had a weak spot. The homeowner was mostly happy but wished they had removed the tile.

My Honest Year 3 Comparison

Full removal job (Year 3):

• Still looked nearly new

• No movement or telegraphing

• Clean transitions to other rooms

• Homeowner extremely satisfied

Overlay job (Year 3):

• Generally good appearance

• Some visible imperfections under critical lighting

• Minor performance issues in high-moisture area

• Homeowner satisfied but not thrilled

The difference wasn’t night and day, but it was noticeable to anyone who lives with the floor daily.

When I Recommend Overlaying Old Tile

I will still do LVP over old tile in these situations:

• Budget is very tight

• The existing tile is well-bonded and level

• Timeline is critical (quick flip or rental)

• The tile is on a solid concrete slab with no major issues

• Homeowner understands the trade-offs

When I Strongly Recommend Removal

• Wood subfloors (risk of trapped moisture)

• Uneven or damaged tile

• High-traffic or high-moisture areas (kitchens, bathrooms)

• Homeowners planning to stay long-term

• When the finished height difference would look awkward

Practical Prep Tips If You Choose to Overlay

If you decide to go the overlay route, don’t skip these steps:

1. Deep clean the old tile thoroughly

2. Grind down any high spots or lips

3. Fill low spots with leveling compound

4. Use a high-quality underlayment with moisture barrier

5. Leave proper expansion gaps

6. Use thicker, more rigid LVP (10mm+ recommended)

The Cost vs Longevity Math

On most jobs, removing old tile adds $2–$5 per sq ft to the project. For a typical kitchen or bathroom, that’s $1,500–$4,000 extra. Is it worth it? Usually yes if you plan to stay in the house more than 5–7 years. For shorter timelines, the overlay can make financial sense.

My Bottom Line After Doing Both

I prefer full removal when possible. The cleaner install and peace of mind are worth the extra cost for most homeowners. But I’m also realistic — sometimes budget and circumstances make overlay the practical choice.

Know the trade-offs going in. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s always fine to float over old tile. It can work, but it’s rarely the absolute best long-term solution.

Floors take a beating every day. Don’t let them beat your budget too.