Are you tired of looking at old, ugly tiles in your home or business? Many people want the look of a smooth and shiny epoxy floor. But most people hate the idea of a messy demolition. The noise and the dust from breaking up old tile can be a huge headache.
At Epoxy Dudes, we hear this question every day. You want to know if you can put epoxy right on top of your existing tile?. The answer is yes. It is possible to get a beautiful floor without tearing out the old one. But you have to do it the right way. If you skip the professional steps, the floor will peel and crack.
Here is everything you need to know about putting epoxy over tile.
Can Epoxy Stick to Smooth Tile Surfaces?
Tile is made to be easy to clean. This means the surface is very smooth. Most tiles have a glaze that acts like a shield. This glaze is meant to stop liquids from soaking in. Epoxy cannot grab onto a shield. It needs a rough surface so it can stay attached.
To fix this, we use a large machine called a diamond grinder. This machine scuffs the surface of the tile. It removes the shiny glaze. This creates millions of tiny holes for the epoxy to grip. Without this step, your new floor might lift up like a sticker. We never skip this step because it is the most important part of the job.
Checking for Loose or Hollow Tiles
Your new epoxy floor is only as strong as the tile underneath it. Before we start any project, we test the floor. We tap on the tiles to hear how they sound. Professionals call this the drummy test.
If a tile sounds hollow, it means the glue under the tile has failed. The tile is basically floating on the concrete. If we put a hard epoxy coating over a loose tile, the floor will crack when you walk on it. We must fix these loose spots first. If only a few tiles are loose, we can remove them and fill the holes. If too many tiles are loose, it is safer to remove the whole floor.
Which Tiles Work Best with Epoxy Coating?
Different tiles react to epoxy in different ways. Some tiles are easy to work with because they are porous. Others are very risky because they are too smooth or too dense.
Quarry Tiles are the Best Choice
Quarry tiles are often found in commercial kitchens. They are usually red or brown. They do not have a shiny glaze. Because they are naturally rough, the epoxy can soak in and grab a strong hold. These are the safest tiles to cover with epoxy.
Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles are Very Difficult
These are the most common tiles in Ontario homes. They are made to be waterproof and glass-smooth. This makes it very hard for epoxy to bond with them. To make epoxy stick, we must use heavy diamond grinders to scratch the surface deeply. If the grinding is not perfect, the epoxy will peel off in large sheets. Many pros suggest removing these tiles to avoid future problems.
Floors That Should Not Have Epoxy on Top
Not every floor can be saved with a coating. Some materials will cause the epoxy to fail no matter how much we prep them.
Do Not Coat Over Wood Floors
Wood is a natural material that moves. It expands when it is humid and shrinks when it is dry. Epoxy is a rigid plastic. When the wood moves under the epoxy, the coating will crack and pop off. If you have wood floors, they must be removed before we can apply epoxy.
Avoid Most Vinyl and LVT
Luxury Vinyl Tile and vinyl planks are a bad match for epoxy. These floors are flexible and sit on soft glue. If we put a hard epoxy on top, the vinyl will shift. This causes the epoxy to crack and look terrible. It is much better to get down to the real concrete slab.
Stay Away from Asbestos Tiles
If your building is older, you might have small nine-inch tiles. These often contain asbestos. We cannot grind these tiles because it releases dangerous dust into the air. If you have these tiles, they should be removed by a safety team first.
How to Hide Grout Lines Forever
One of the biggest concerns with installing a new floor over existing tile is whether the old grout lines will show through. This is called ghosting, and it happens because grout lines sit lower than the tile surface. Over time, they can also collect dirt, oil, and residue, which affects how the new coating bonds.
At Epoxy Dudes, we prevent ghosting by building a smooth, level foundation before the final finish is applied. The result is one clean, continuous floor that looks solid, polished, and built to last.
- Clean and Prepare the Tile Surface
The existing tile is cleaned to remove dirt, grease, oil, and any surface buildup. This step helps the new coating bond properly and prevents hidden residue from affecting the finished floor.
- Level the Grout Lines
A thick leveling layer is spread across the floor to fill the low areas between the tiles. This helps erase the old grid pattern and creates a more even surface.
- Build One Solid Base
Once the grout lines are filled, the floor starts to act like one continuous surface instead of separate tiles. This is what prevents the old tile pattern from showing through later.
- Apply the Final Epoxy Finish
After the surface is level and properly prepared, the epoxy finish is installed. The finished floor has a smooth, stone-like appearance with no visible grout lines.
- Enjoy a Floor That Stays Seamless
With the right preparation, you will not see the old grout lines again. Instead, you get a durable, easy-to-clean floor that looks like one continuous piece.
Thinking About Your New Floor Height
When you add epoxy over tile, the floor gets a bit higher. Usually, it adds about 5 millimeters of thickness. You should check your doors before you start. You want to make sure your doors can still swing open easily. You should also check that your dishwasher still fits under the counter. We can help you measure these spots during our visit.
Why a Professional Epoxy Finish is Better
It might look easy to buy a kit at a hardware store and do it yourself. But those kits are not the same as industrial epoxy. Professionals use much stronger chemicals that last for decades.
We also have the right grinders to prep the tile. We use moisture meters to check for water under the tile. If there is trapped water, the epoxy will bubble and fail. A professional knows how to spot these problems before they happen. Doing it right the first time saves you money and stress.
Get New Floors with Epoxy Dudes
You do not have to live with old tiles anymore. Epoxy Dudes can give you a seamless floor that is easy to clean. We work in Toronto, Hamilton, and all across the GTA. Our team makes sure your floor is tough and beautiful. We take pride in our work and we treat your home like our own. Call Epoxy Dudes to schedule your next epoxy flooring in Toronto & the GTA.