If there are two things I COULDN’T do before, it’s painting (the hassle of preparation to actually doing it and cleaning up!) and replacing tiled floors. That’s why I wanted to know how to cover floor tiles because everyone knows I’d rather do that than go through the task and money of removing it completely.
Actually, wait… I CAN paint walls, but I couldn’t replace tiled floors, it was just so scary and I wanted to leave it to professionals! If you’ve ever tried ripping out tiled floors or even attempt removing it, it’s not a good idea. I spent days trying to remove it cleanly, to no avail. At that point, I was tired and just hired someone else to do it, such an expensive and tedious task!
So when renovation time came again, I wanted to be prepared this time. So I started looking online for solutions and asked people for advice. That’s win I realized: instead of having to remove tile, why not try doing something to lay over it?
It was an excellent idea and I managed to try some methods, which proved to be successful! So if you want to cover tile floors, read on! I’ll show you the top three methods to try out.
How to Cover Floor Tiles
After testing out on some of the projects I had at home, I considered using these three ideas on how to cover tiles cheaply:
1. Painting Your Tile Floors With Stencils
I honestly couldn’t believe stencils would be an effective way to cover my tiled floors. Sure, I hated painting, but if it meant not having to remove tiled floors, why not try it?
A friend mentioned to stencil out patterns on the tiled floor, which adds more beauty to the room. It’s an amazing way to cover bathroom tile because there are so many types of patterns to choose from. Plus, all you need to do is spend on the stencils and paint, making it a fun project.
However, this method is best tried if you have more time in your hands. After all, you’ll be stenciling and painting all on your own, so unless you have extra pairs of hands or a lot of time, then you might want to postpone this project.
Furthermore, I still had some questions about its durability. As I continue to paint and finish the project, will the paint still stay, or will it chip off? I was a bit hesitant but when I went for it, the results looked great! Obviously, I’m no Picasso, but the handpainted look made the room look classy and rustic, more personalized like how I want it!
For me, I wouldn’t do it again for the time and my lack of skill, but hey, you might want to give it a shot!
2. Laying Groutable Vinyl Peel and Sticking Tile Flooring
This method is actually a pretty old (and effective) one that’s been going around since the 1980s! It was actually a pretty popular way to cover your tiles without having to remove it, and getting VTF (Vinyl Peel and Stick Flooring) is actually pretty cheap.
And when I mean chip, you can get these stick tiles for less than $1 for every square foot. Besides this, it’s VERY easy to do and you can do it on your own within the day! Plus, there are so many different kinds of awesome patterns to choose from, so if you’re wondering how to cover tiles in bathroom, living room, or kitchen without the hassle, this method’s for you.
But just like painting your floors with stencils, it does have its downfalls. While I did mention it would be a great method for the bathroom, I was worried about the sealing and adhesive if ever it gets wet. So unless your kids really wet the floors in the bathroom, this method is best made for other drier areas.
However, it really works well because it takes less than a day and it’s so cost-effective! Just stick the flooring correctly and grout them to have that finished look.
3. Lay Perge XP Over Your Tile Like Floating Floors
Last but not least, my favorite method is to use Pergo XP, which you can easily find in the nearest home depot store. It comes in wooden patterns, which looks like real wood and give off that rustic look I aim for, matching any type of room!
I like this particular product because it has a moisture-lock barrier and a strong adhesive, so I didn’t need to worry about it getting wet and losing its stickiness in the bathroom or kitchen. It’s also pretty easy to install or remove, taking a day without any problems.
Besides wood, there are other color options to choose from, so everything looked great and I’m impressed! However, it is quite expensive and you’ll need more help and special tools upon putting it in. However, it’s worth the effort and price, way more cost-effective than having to remove and replace the tiles. If you have the tools and extra budget, I would recommend that you try this method out. If not, the others are just as good to try, too.
Wrapping It Up
When it comes to covering floor tiles, you’ll be surprised how easier it is to do compared to actually removing it. While you can learn how to replace tile floors, I would highly recommend that you look for ways that prevent you from the difficult and expensive task of taking out that stubborn tile! It gives off a unique and personal style in the end. Plus, you have the pride to say you did it yourself!
I hope this article on how to cover floor tiles helped you out. So don’t wait any longer and look into trying any of these methods now.
If you have any questions or want to share your tips and tile cover up ideas, then comment below. Your thoughts are much appreciated!