Can I install hardwood over an existing tile floor in my NB home?

Yes, you can install hardwood over existing tile in most cases, but only if the tile floor is in solid condition, level, and firmly bonded — and engineered hardwood in a floating installation is strongly recommended over solid hardwood for this application in New Brunswick. Installing over tile avoids the messy, expensive, and potentially hazardous process of tile removal, but there are several conditions that must be met for a successful result.

The tile surface must be completely flat and firmly adhered. Walk the entire floor and check for any tiles that are loose, cracked, hollow-sounding when tapped, or raised at the edges. Loose or hollow tiles mean the bond between tile and substrate has failed, and installing hardwood over an unstable base leads to movement, squeaking, and eventual damage to the new floor. If more than a few tiles are loose, removing the tile entirely or applying a levelling layer of plywood is a better approach. For minor height differences between tiles and grout lines, a quality underlayment or self-levelling compound ($2-$4/sq ft) smooths things out.

Floating engineered hardwood is the ideal method for going over tile in NB. The floating floor sits on an underlayment pad over the tile without being fastened to it, allowing the engineered planks to expand and contract independently as New Brunswick's humidity shifts seasonally. Use a foam underlayment with an integrated vapour barrier ($0.50-$1.00/sq ft) between the tile and the floating floor. This barrier is important even over tile because NB's Maritime moisture can migrate through concrete substrates and grout, especially on ground-level or basement floors.

Solid hardwood is not recommended over tile. Nail-down installation cannot penetrate tile and the concrete substrate beneath it without specialized anchoring, and glue-down installation over glazed tile requires extensive surface preparation (grinding the tile glaze) to achieve adequate adhesion. Even then, the rigid connection between solid hardwood and tile creates stress points when the wood moves seasonally — and in NB, it will move.

The biggest concern with installing over tile in NB homes is floor height. Tile is typically 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick, and adding engineered hardwood plus underlayment adds another 3/8 to 5/8 inch. That means your new floor could be 3/4 to over 1 inch higher than it was originally. This creates issues at doorways (most interior doors will need to be trimmed), transitions to adjacent rooms (you will need ramp-style transition strips), appliance clearances (check that your dishwasher and refrigerator still fit under countertops), and stairways (the first step height changes, which can be a code and safety issue).

For NB homes specifically, check whether the tile you are covering is in a kitchen or bathroom where moisture exposure is regular. If so, ensure the tile's waterproofing layer beneath it is intact, as you are now relying on it to protect both the tile substrate and the new hardwood above. If the tile was installed over a concrete slab at or below grade, moisture testing is essential — NB's high water table and spring snowmelt push moisture through concrete regardless of the tile layer above.

This project is manageable for experienced DIYers if you choose a click-lock floating engineered hardwood, but hire a professional if the tile floor has significant height variations, you are covering a large open-concept area (500+ sq ft), or the installation involves complex transitions to multiple adjacent rooms. Professional installation over tile runs $6-$14/sq ft fully installed in New Brunswick.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The New Brunswick Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• RenoMe
• Thirty Four Renovations
• FRS Flooring Solutions
• 3Tone Construction Ltd
• First united design & construction inc.