How to hide ceramic floor?

dkmin · 06-13-2009, 05:54 PM

We have a very old ceramic floor in our kitchen and we are looking to "camouflage" it without removing it. what type of flooring can be installed in order to do so? we know that it can be removed but the reality is we are a young family with children and time is not on our side. cost effective solution appreciated!

Just Bill · 06-14-2009, 08:04 AM

carpet squares work well in kitchens. They can be arranged in a variety of decorating plans, are individually replacable or can be removed and washed to remove spills, are soft underfoot, etc.

JazMan · 06-14-2009, 10:38 PM

I certainly wouldn't recommend carpeting in a kitchen, we've been through that fad in the '70' & 80's. Carpeting is just not sanitary, add a few kids and I say no way.

Too bad you don't like the tiled floor cuz that is the best all around flooring. Maybe you'll consider a vinyl floor over it. Some can be installed with the perimeter glue method so the grout joints may not show.

Jaz

HABSFAN2006 · 06-15-2009, 10:22 AM

I would not recomend vinyl flooring over anything that is not perfectly flat. It will take shape of the grout lines, you will even feel them when walking over the vinyl flooring. Looks like your easiest diy floor here will be laminate flooring. You could install the "fake" ceramic tile laminate flooring sold in 1 x 4 square planks, available at any flooring store, HD or Lowes.

Mikaman · 06-16-2009, 03:08 PM

Two other options, but these may be more time consuming, messy, or costly: 1) call a bath tub refinishing company (look in Yellow Pages, "Perma-Glaze" is one national franchise) -- they may be able to "refinish" your existing ceramic tile. I have had it done on walls, although I've never tried this on a floor, so I'm not sure how well it will hold up to traffic -- ask the refinisher. It's basically a high-tech spray-painting process but it turns out better than it sounds. Typically only takes a day, although you may not be able to walk on it for a couple days, and you'll have some sanding dust & paint odor to contend with. Not every expensive, and it retains the look of tile (although the grout lines will now be the same color as the tile). They have every color imaginable. You'll probably want the non-skid finish, which I think is a little more $$ than full gloss.

-- OR -- 2) lay new ceramic tile directly over the old tile. This isn't necessarily "best practice", professionals will cringe, and many DIY'ers here will certainly criticize this, but I have done it with complete success. The old tile must be in excellent physical condition, flat, no missing pieces, etc. Scuff sand the old tile, then use thinset to lay your new tile directly over the old, then of course grout as usual. You may have to fiddle with baseboards etc because of the additional height of the new tile. I think this will provide the best appearance and maintain resale value better than carpet or vinyl flooring.

I also have one small bathroom in my house where the previous owner put laminate flooring over the original ceramic tile. This must have been done 20+ years ago. It has held up just fine, although I don't like the look of the laminate. I'm currently peeling up the laminte so I can re-tile this floor.

Good luck, whatever you choose to do.