Overlay tiles is a great option in Singapore when the existing flooring of your home is in excellent condition without any gaps or damage. But before you move ahead with this option, you need to know the advantages and disadvantages of overlaying tiles.

Generally, it will offer an aesthetic change to your space without worrying about the additional mess, cost and labour for the new floor installation.

Advantages and disadvantages of overlay tiles

Advantages Of OVERLAYing Tiles

1.   Affordable

In tiling service, overlay tiles are more affordable as you will not have to spend additional money for removing the old tiles and adding the new ones.

You will need to choose look-alike tiles so that it will complement the existing flooring without creating an undesirable look. It is a cheaper alternative to installing new flooring so that you can use the old tiles for an amazing look.

2.  Less time consuming

Secondly, overlaying tiles requires less amount of time as you don’t have to hack or re-tile the old tiles. When there are no gaps or cracks on the old tiles, you should go ahead with overlaying tiles as it will save you valuable time.

3.  Floor protection

On top of that, overlaying is known to offer additional protection to the floors as it acts as cushion in between the floor and original tiles. The overall quality and durability of the flooring will be improved so that you will not have to worry about tiles replacement.

4.  Quick renovation

When you are thinking of updating your living space then overlaying tiles is a feasible option for you. You can easily add tiles on the existing floor without spending a lot of time so that you will get a new flooring within a short time span.

5.  Wide variety

Lastly, you can easily choose any kind of tiles for the floor, wall, kitchen or toilet according to your preference so that you will enjoy the desired look. You will enjoy an instant makeover by overlaying tiles so that you will be surprised by the end results.

Disadvantages of Overlaying tiles

1.   Fragile

On the contrary, overlay tiles are known to be a fragile option that can damage the flooring if any objects fall on the floor. You might have to change the entire floor if a section of the floor is broken which can become a very complicated task.

Moreover, it is hardly possible to find similar tiles like the ones that you have installed a few years ago as it can make the entire floor look unappealing.

2.  Uneven surface

If the previous tiles were not installed evenly or properly, the overlay tiles become uneven causing a hollow sound on the floor. Hence, you need to check the tiles for popping or hollow so that you don’t go ahead with overlaying tiles if you find any issues with the existing floor.

3.  Costly undertaking

When you go ahead with overlaying, you might save money during the process but it is not cost effective in the long run. If you want to replace the entire flooring in near future, you will have to spend additional money for the extra labour that you will need for the task.

4.  Lots of hard work

You might not be experienced enough to overlay tiles. For this, you will need professionals renovation contractor renovation contractor who can handle this task. They will measure the area that needs to be updated and you will also have to remove the doors so that it will fit perfectly on the new flooring.

5.  Door trimming

Due to the increased height of the floor, you might have to get the door trimmed by professionals so that it can be adjusted accordingly. This is a complicated and time consuming process that requires a lot of labour and cost for completing the entire project. For HDB, there is a limit for tiling thickness. You can read the HDB hacking guidelines.