Vinyl plank flooring over ceramic tile?

We have about 1100 square feet of hideous ceramic tile in our ranch. Estimates to rip it all out ranged from 3k to 5k!

With two small kids, we aren't in a position to take on the rip out job ourselves.

One of the flooring guys who came over suggested laying Beau Flor over top of the ceramic tile. It's vinyl plank with a rigid backing that won't sink into the ridges of the grout. We are considering this, but are looking for some other brands to cost compare. Any suggestions for well performing vinyl planks with the hard backing?

Could we also consider grouting the grout lines so that they're level with the tile and then would regular vinyl plank work over them? That would take some time, but we are very handy and are thinking we could lay the vinyl plank ourselves as long as it wasn't the glue down kind.

Any advice appreciated!
Jeannie

 

Sorry, I have no experience with hard backed vinyl. I recall a similar product several years ago that failed and was removed from the market. I think the failed product involved tile instead of vinyl. Of note in the installation instructions is that a flat floor is still needed. If you have undulations in the tile floor you may have issue with this product. They said flat to within 3mm in 3 meters.

If you choose to go directly over the tile, you must float the complete floor, not just the grout lines. With vinyl of any type, any imperfection beneath will telegraph through to the surface.

 

Their website doesn't go into great detail. How are the planks connected together? I am assuming they are not glued down since they have a foam backing. Do they click lock? How thick is the product? Their website, too, only shows it for marine, RV, Manufactured housing, and Multiple Family dwellings, so I may have missed something.

 

Hi Chandler,
Yes, they click lock together. They have "rigid composite board" underneath. I think you've found a different website, the one I've been looking at is clearly residential. This is the website I've been looking at. Installation Click Vinyl Planks

The brochure he gave me clearly says they can go right over existing tile floors. We have 6" tiles with 1/2" grout joints. It seems too good to be true that we could avoid taking the tile out, but of course, that's what we'd love to do. Thanks for any further ideas!

Jeannie

 

OK, I finally found out what's going on. The company is from Denmark, but in the US these floors are called Berry/Alloc. Here is a much better website. PURE Click 55 Standard - BerryAlloc

 

The installation looks pretty straight forward, and is flexible, allowing you to herringbone it if you wish, reverse directions, like in closets or around fireplaces. I think your main concern is applying it over tile, and while I think a 1/2" grout line is super too large, they seem to be applying it over it and warrantying it. If they have a specific statement as to warranty over tile, then I would go for it.

 

I think we are going to go for it! They look great in person and it seems like just the solution we need. We'll see... Thanks!
Jeannie

 

Update - we are installing this, and love it!!! It looks awesome and is installing beautifully over the tile!