Can you lay tile on top of tile/?

Question

Can you lay tile on top of tile/?

Answer 1

Yes you can and it's better if you are re-tiling a complete wall. If you are only re-tiling part of a wall and you can see the edges of the tiles you will see that there are two layers. They do a ceramic quadrant which will possibly cover the two edges or you could always cover the edges in some form of wood moulding and paint it.

When you buy the tile adhesive make it clear to the shop that you propose tiling over existing tiles as there may be a particular type you need to buy. Tricky job but can be done; really better to get the old tiles off first.

Answer 2

The technically correct answer is you probably shouldn't.  That said, many people do and it works out just fine.  

In my view, you can do it if the ceramic tile underneath is in good shape AND can be made sufficiently rough.  If it is loose and coming up already, then you shouldn't try to tile over it and it has to come up.

Strip any wax off and then scuff up the old tile with a brick or a rough belt sander or something to get a rough surface for the tile adhesive to hold onto.  You don't want the old tile smooth/slippery or you won't get a good bond.  

Then carefully clean it again to remove any dust film that would also interfere with a good bond, let it dry and lay down the adhesive and tile as normal.

Basically, the reason people say you shouldn't do this is that the adhesive won't bond to the front of the ceramic tile quite as well as it will bond onto a proper underlayment like Hardibacker.  But if you don't have really smooth/slick old tile and can scuff it up enough to provide a nice rough  surface for the adhesive to bond to, it should last a very long time.

BTW, this advice is only for ceramic tile.  Vinyl tile has to be pulled up or covered with plywood or hardibacker.

Answer 3

Yes, you can but it may create problems in the future.

Answer 4

yes you can, putyou went tolay them in the middle if the tile both way . that way the seam not line up so the water can,t get under to be them up on you.