San Francisco Bay Area - Rip up tile floor in kitchen, or go over it?

by cmottesen

Rip up tile floor in kitchen, or go over it?

I'm really struggling with my kitchen floor. I just had new granite counter tops installed on my existing cabinets, and now I need to change the floor. I thought the existing ceramic tile could be fairly easily cut away without removing all the existing cabinets. I'm being told it would be cheaper and better to actually remove all my new granite and remove most of the cabinets, then remove the tile and replace it. What a mess that will be, and it will put my new granite at risk for cracks, etc. What is common practice for dealing with a situation where existing tile (installed under existing cabs and appliances) needs to be changed? Someone also suggested installing a floating floor over the tile. Not sure if that would be a nice-looking option. I want a high-end kitchen.

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Red Rock Pools and Spas and Red Rock Contractors I don't have enough pictures to be able to tell, but it is atypical to run tile under the cabinets. It looks obvious that this is the case on the photo. There is no easy or realistic way to remove the tile if it is under the cabinet, and I could not recommend going over it for numerous reasons. there are not may products that could accomplish that task without some problems over time. As well if you add more flooring on top of the existing you likely will run into problems with dishwashers and other appliances fitting under the counter. and you would have additional issues at transition areas like the wood floor in the photo.

If there is not any toe kicks at the front of the cabinets, it is possible that you would cut the tile along the face of the cabinets and then install new floors, and install a base shoe trim around the bottom of all of the cabinets to cover the transition as you wont be able to get right up against the cabinets without damaging them.

Not an easy task that is for sure. I would have to go with your other recommendation and remove the cabinets. (Sorry, I know that is not what you wanted to hear) You don't want it to look a mistake. Removing that kind of tile can also easily damage your cabinets as well as it takes decent size chipping hammers and floor removal tools to accomplish it.

3 months ago · Like