Can You Install Tile Over Existing Tile?

Well.....................yes, I did. When we moved into our house 13 years ago almost everything was white. The kitchen cabinets, walls, ceilings, counters, rugs, trim and the fireplace. It had large 12" X 12" white tiles around it. I stared at it for years before deciding it was time for a change. My decorating style lends itself to the warmer, earth tones. Eventually the den (where the fireplace is located) had warm oak floors installed, earthy tones in the furniture, pillows and draperies. The "white" fireplace had to go.

I tiled over the tile. I don't know if you are supposed to do it but I can tell you it is still going strong after four years. Selecting the tiles was easy, but making it fit exactly without having to cut anything was difficult. The tile was very rough and I didn't have the right tools to cut it. The solution was easy.

Don't cut................break it!

That's right..... I broke up a secondary color and wrapped a mosaic around the perimeter area so I would not have to cut it. All the tile fit just fine until I got to the perimeter. So placing broken tile around and creating a random mosaic, saved me.

Below is a close up of the mosaic. I basically took one tile at a time, covered it with a towel and gave it a swift blow with a hammer. I then set the small broken pieces into the adhesive. When it was all dry it was grouted.

The woodwork around the tile was painted using a combination of two beige tones blended together with a large bristle brush.

So you can install tile over tile or at least I did. It completely changed the look of the fireplace and made it the focal point of my den.

Next post: How to build a spice rack "under your kitchen cabinets." Practical, convenient and very handy....... I'll show you how. Please check back!

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