Carpet & Vinyl Layers Guides & Resources

Can You Carpet Over Tiles?

Loose-lay carpeting works well over some tiles if they are flat, smooth, and dry. You can install carpet on a tiled floor, depending on the type of tile you have. Laying carpet over tile is a great way to add warmer flooring to your house. Loose-lay carpet works well over some tiles, including ceramic tiles, if they are flat, smooth, and dry. This means that there is no grout or mortar between the existing tiles and the carpet. If your tiles are not level, then layering the tiles with adhesive will help stretch the carpeting tight enough to hide any irregularities where two tiles meet at an angle. Before [laying a new carpet](/guides/carpet-vinyl-layers/how-long-does-it-take-to-lay-carpet), you must prepare your subfloor by removing old underlay or padding and any nails sticking out from the tile floor where baseboard trim might be nailed later. Doing this ensures the flooring accommodates the carpet height of the one to be installed. ## How do you carpet over tiles? Loose-lay carpeting works well over some tiles if they are flat, smooth, and dry. This means that there is no grout or mortar between them. If your tile floor is not level, layering the tiles with adhesive will help stretch the carpeting tight enough to hide any irregularities where two tiles meet at an angle. Tile adhesive is like mortar and acts as a filler. If you put this between your tiles, it will make the carpeting fit more tightly. It's easy to install; apply a 1/8" thick layer of adhesive over the subfloor, then set each tile into place and push down on it firmly with a level up against the edges to ensure that they are completely flat. ## Which tools do you need to install carpet over tile flooring? Like other DIY projects, installing carpet over a tile floor can be done by anyone with some basic skills provided they follow provided guidelines. Below are some tools that you need to lay carpet, regardless of what material the [carpet is made from](/guides/carpet-vinyl-layers/what-is-carpet-made-of), over a tile flooring. ### Heavy gloves These will help you have a better hold of the carpet and protect your hands when using cutting equipment and sharp items like nails. ### Tile cutter Use it to cut out tiles that may not be aligned and may be an impediment to the proper laying of the carpet. Also, there is nailing required on the perimeter tiling. The activity damages some tiles which need to be removed. ### Masonry nails and hammer the carpet is held in place along the perimeter of the room by the tack strips. Place the tack strips along the edge of the wall by nailing them down with masonry nails and a hammer. Again, use a hammer and nails to place a transition strip at the point where the carpet terminates and the tile floor starts if you are not installing a wall-to-wall carpet. ### Utility knife You will need to cut or trim down carpet sections or edges. A utility knife comes in handy for these tasks. ### Carpet stretcher As the name suggests, the tool helps stretch the carpet so that it fits snugly over the flooring. Stretching the carpet also ensures it does not have creases. ### Knee kicker When pressing the carpet onto the wall, the knee kicker enables you to hit the stretched carpet towards the wall, ensuring it connects flush with the wall surfaces. ### Chalk line As you lay carpet, you will need to remember the direction from which you started and where you are heading. Use a chalk line or makers, if provided, to track progress so that you have all sections properly completed. ## What is underlay? Underlay provides cushioning between the carpet and floor. The most popular types are made of fibre, foam, or rubber. Placing the underlay before laying carpet ensures warmer flooring and rooms. ### Synthetic-foam underlay It has two main types: open-cell and closed-cell. Open-cell is composed of tiny air bubbles that act like sponges to absorb sound, reduce impact noise (such as when you walk on the stairs), and help keep your home cool in warm weather. It also breathes better than other underlayments, allowing moisture to escape if water ever gets trapped in your subfloor. Closed-cell foam is denser and heavier than open-cell; it offers equal noise reduction but better moisture protection because it creates an airtight seal with your subfloor. ### Rubber underlay It is made from recycled old car tyres, so it's a green product. It offers the same benefits as open-cell foam but weighs more due to its dense material. Rubber underlay also adds an anti-slip layer to your flooring for safety. ### Fibre pad This is soft and cushiony, which makes it a good choice if you have kids or pets running around on the floor all day long. It has great noise-reduction qualities because rubber contains natural oils that keep down the reverberation in the room when you walk across it. Fibre pad can be laid with adhesive such as glue or left loose. ## What is padding? Padding is laid underneath the carpet for cushioning and sound insulation. You can choose from synthetic or natural materials, with each offering distinct advantages: Synthetic rubber pads are popular because they're durable, offer noise reduction, and work well under all types of carpets (including high-traffic areas). The rubber pad doesn't react negatively with adhesive when installing new flooring. And since natural rubber is a renewable resource, it's considered eco-friendly. Wool and cotton pads offer great sound insulation, and, although they can be quite pricey, they're worth the cost if you need extra padding under your carpet because of noise concerns in frequented areas or for heavy furniture that tends to take its toll on flooring. ## Should I remove floor tiles before carpeting? If you are installing underlay or carpet padding over the tiles, then you do not have to remove them before adding a carpet. If you are installing carpet directly on top of the tile, they will most likely necessitate removal. Tiles can be difficult to remove from a floor surface and require special tools and a lot of time. Instead of removing tiles, you can cover the tile floor with a big area rug. Removing floor tiles before carpet installation is the usual practice as it makes for easier installation with fewer complications. The tile removal process will leave behind bits of mortar, grout, and concrete that may become lodged in the underlay or padding during installation, causing damage to both. You want to ensure the new carpeting is as easy as possible to fix, so taking out the tiles yourself ensures this is accomplished with little trouble. ## How do I remove floor tiles? The tiles can be removed simply by applying pressure with a flathead screwdriver and prying the grout lines apart. You should be careful not to damage anything, such as doors or walls, that may be in your path when removing the tiles. Once you have moved to one side of the tile, lift it up and pry out from underneath to free it from its last anchor. Remove mortar and other pieces of debris left under the tile using a putty knife or scraper, and dispose of them properly after gathering all pieces together. Tiled floors can cause damage to your underlay and padding as well as make for a difficult installation. Additionally, if any debris remains, such as mortar or grout, this will become stuck in your underlay or padding during the carpet installation process, resulting in damage to the newly laid carpet. ## Is there a better way to remove floor tiles? Removing the tile is not usually necessary when you're placing underlay over them. This will provide padding and insulation against the cold concrete, useful in colder climates like Canada, where footing can become icy and slippery during the winter months. Underlay also makes for easier installation of your carpet because it provides a dense barrier between the hard surface and the soft carpet. Underlaying tiles with a pad or foam insulation is another good option that provides many benefits. While this does add extra cost to your project, it can be well worth it when factoring in the savings from time and potential damage. ## Which lasts longer in high-traffic areas, carpet or tiles? Tile flooring is usually more durable than carpet. Many homeowners choose to lay tiles in their foyer or entryway because they are easy to clean, long-lasting, and won't show signs of wear as quickly as carpets would under the same conditions. If you have pets, this will also decrease the chances of damage being done to your floors during playtime. Durable flooring is recommended for high-traffic areas because there is a higher risk of damage being done. For the same reasons, carpet isn't ideal in these locations. It would also [require regular cleaning](/guides/carpet-cleaning/what-is-dry-carpet-cleaning). It is important to consider what your needs are when deciding which type of flooring to use in heavy-traffic areas and then choose accordingly. Interested in a career in carpet laying? Take a look at the [JobOutlook website](https://joboutlook.gov.au/occupations/floor-finishers?occupationCode=3321).