Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Laminate over ceramic tile floor

We are considering installing laminate flooring in our family room (presently carpeted) and kitchen (ceramic tile floor). I have been told that laminate flooring can be installed over ceramic tile without removing the tile. This would make the floor different heights where the present tile and carpet meet (another potential problem). We also might use engineered hardwood which, I understand, will require the removal of the tile floor. Since the removal and maybe the installation will probably be done by pros, the laminate might be a considerable saving if it can be installed without removing the tile. Any advice on this?

if you go with the laminate, and leave the tile intact, then you'll just have to lay 1/4" or 1/2" (or whatever it takes) plywood on the previously carpeted area to bring both areas up to the same height.

Annette,
Thanks for the reply. I have assumed that we would have to do this (plywood over the previously carpeted areas), but I am concerned about the laminate sticking to the ceramic adequately and the difference in sound between the laminate over ply and over tile. Laminate is notorious for being noisy. Is it necessary to put in some substrate or will a better quality laminate (self backed) minimize the sound?

I am concerned about the laminate sticking to the ceramic adequately


STICKING???

are we talking about the same thing here???

"wood" laminate planks FLOAT, they don't stick. there's no adhesive. you don't glue them down. the planks click together and simply lay unattached (floating) on the foam pad underlayment. some planks come with the foam pad underlayment already attached to back.

i wouldn't think you'd be able to tell a difference in sound from one area to the other, but then again, i personally wouldn't care about that. who's wearing high heels or hard soled shoes around the house? laminate floors are pretty slippery. you won't want to be wearing dress shoes on them much, except for breezing through on your way to work every morning.

I am aware that laminate is normally floated, but since ceramic tile is a pretty slipery surface to start with, I thought that we might have to use some sort of adhesive to keep the laminate in place. We also have the option of using engineered wood, but this would involve tearing up the tile (so I'm told) which would add $800 to $1200 to the job!

We still haven't decided, but thanks for the info.

You should be fine. Where's the laminate going to move to??? See what Annette said?

the planks click together and simply lay unattached (floating) on the foam pad underlayment. some planks come with the foam pad underlayment already attached to back.

Then again, if you decide to go w/the engineered wood and tear up the tile yourself to save money. Lot of work but saves ya lots of money.

I thought that we might have to use some sort of adhesive to keep the laminate in place.

once you get many planks clicked together, it becomes a pretty heavy "unit", and because of the underlayment, not to mention the weight of a refrigerator, table & chairs, coffee table, sofa, loveseat, tv cabinet, etc etc etc, on top of it, believe me ~ it's not going anywhere! ;) :thumbup:

I've glued engineered wood over ceramic tile many many times, without any concerns. The manufacturers of glue down engineered wood have ceramic tile as an approved substrate, to glue to, with some embossing prep, of coarse.