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Expert Answers
Can ceramic tile be laid on an epoxy floor?
QUESTION
Installing Tile over Epoxy Floor - Can ceranmic tile be laid on an epoxy floor? If so, does any special prep need to be done?ANSWER
ANSWER - In theory a ceramic or stone tile could be installed over an epoxy floor, but it could be problematic depending on the conditions.The substrate must be suitable and sound for the application. The epoxy coating has to be tenaciously attached to the substrate because if it debones so does the tile. The floor must be flat or sloped for the intended use or any inconsistencies will be telegraphed through the tile.
You have to use epoxy to bond to epoxy. So an appropriate epoxy adhesive must be used, which is more expensive. Each of the major manufacturer's of installation products sell epoxy adhesives (go to our website at www.CTaSC.com and look under Resources in Expert Answers and go to Installation Products) The epoxy floor has to be prepared by cleaning it and possibly needing to scarify it in order to get a good attachment. Follow epoxy adhesive manufacturer's instructions.
It is possible to apply an modified cementitious epoxy adhesive to the existing epoxy floor and then apply a cementitious self-leveling or trowelable underlayment on top of it, and then bond the tile to it with a normal modified thin-set mortar. Good Luck,
10 thoughts on “Can ceramic tile be laid on an epoxy floor?”
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I think it’s completely feasible to paint a thin layervof epoxy, drop a layer of stone just thicker than plaster sand like pool filter sand which is graded by size. The epoxy will adhere to the bottom of the sand and you will be able to use cementitious products once that is set. Just a very thin layer of epoxy, squeegee it off before dropping the sand on with a strainer.
There are moisture vapor barrier systems that come with an epoxy to put down first and then the broadcast sand into and then apply a self-leveling cementitious underlayment over it. It is designed for installing tile over it.
It would only be recommended to using a manufactured system that comes with a warranty for the use of tile application.
What product or manufacturer are you thinking of for a bond coat over eopoxy? I have 800 sq ft of locker room with existing epoxy floor. Lots of sand, very rough. Want porcelain tile over it without removing it
If you know the manufacturer of the epoxy coating then it is best to check with them on what they recommend for bonding to it. Most adhesive manufacturers would say to use an epoxy adhesive, which would be expensive. Otherwise, you should do a test by using an ANSI A118.15 polymer modified cementitious thin-set mortar to bond a porcelain tile to the epoxy coating and then test to see if it adequately bonded. The major manufacturers are Laticrete, Custom Building Products, Mapei, and TEC. and they all have those products. Just make sure you install the tile per the manufacturer’s directions and industry standards.
Hi I have installed long porcelains tiles in my home but need to make them shiny . Can I install epoxy layer over them . Thanks
In theory you could apply an epoxy coating over porcelain tiles as epoxy normally bonds to porcelain tiles that are properly cleaned. From a practical point of view, it would tend to be problematic. The epoxy over time would wear and to restore it would probably require stripping it off and re-applying, but that might lead to other damages and problems with the tile.
There are enhancer sealers that generally are meant for more porous tiles, but you could check with manufacturers on whether it could be applied over a porcelain tile. Plus you need to experiment to see what kind of shine you might get from it.
You can also wax the floor and buff it to get a sheen, but that again creates more maintenance for maintaining, although less of problem than putting an epoxy over it.
The benefit of having a ceramic porcelain tile floor is that it doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, it is durable, and it lasts a long time. So you are kind of defeating the purpose of selecting ceramic tile.
It’s been 24 hours that one coat of epoxy was applied and sparkles sprinkled. Not happy with the results, so am I able to lay tile on top?
You need to check the data sheet of the manufacturer of the epoxy you used to determine what is acceptable.
In theory, I would expect that you could adhere an epoxy adhesive to bond ceramic tile to an existing epoxy coating that had only cured for 24 hours assuming the temperatures are not lower than 60 degrees F. To be sure check with the epoxy manufacturers for compatibility.
I had someone put a two part expoxy floor on a painted garage floor and the epoxy floor is still very sticky
I am thinking if i can put tile over it rather than remove the epoxy floor which is dangerous
Any advice i am desperate
You might try adding some of the part B hardener of the epoxy and rubbing it over the surface to see if it hardens. Normally if it is sticky that the part A and B proportions were off. First check with the epoxy manufacturer to verify.
If the epoxy floor is sticky I’m not sure how well an an epoxy tile adhesive will bond to it. You could experiment and bond a piece of tile to it and the a week later see if it comes off easy or not.