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Installing Hardwood Over Existing Flooring- One Year Review

Installing Hardwood Over Existing Flooring- One Year Review

One year ago, my husband and I installed Floorté Hardwood Series planks directly over our old ceramic tile and solid wood floors. In today’s post, I am giving an honest review of how the flooring has held up for twelve full months…

While installing hardwood floors throughout a home… you live in… with your kids…DIY-style… is certainly no simple feat, advances in technology have made it so much more feasible for the average Joe (or Jane) to tackle.

In fact, some flooring manufacturers now offer product lines, such as certain Luxury Vinyl Tile and Engineered Floating Hardwood Planks, specifically for installation over existing subfloors (think ceramic tile and/or solid wood) with no demo required!

*This post is sponsored by Shaw Floors, however all opinions are 100% mine.*

While I rarely ever collaborate with brands for sponsored posts, when Shaw Floors approached me with the details of their new product line, Floorté Hardwood Series ( a waterproof, engineered hardwood which can be installed directly over existing tile or solid wood subfloor), I knew the partnership would work seamlessly with my existing home improvement expertise and tutorials. You see..

Long before I knew that a hardwood product of this nature existed, I had actually installed click and lock LVT planks directly over the nasty, ceramic tiles in my kitchen.

While it felt like quite a risky thing to do at the time, the install was relatively straightforward and has, so far, stood the test of time(three years and counting).

This prior experience with floating installations gave me the courage to install Shaw Floors’ brand spanking new line of clicking hardwood planks directly over the dated, ceramic tile and solid hardwoods through out the remainder of my 1980’s fixer upper (you can read the DIY hardwood install tutorial here).

floating hardwood install over old tile floors

And while the actual install of the engineered oak planks were even easier than the Luxury Vinyl Tiles I had used in my kitchen (I elaborate more on this in a prior review post), there was still the fear that this product was just too good to be true. Only time would tell.

Twelve months later, I can now give you an honest review of this cutting-edge, unorthodox product…

Floorté Waterproof Hardwood Review:

hardwood floors over existing floors review

Overall, I am extremely impressed with my new flooring.

Not only have the floating oak planks completely brightened and updated the aesthetic of my home, they have proven to be impervious to water. From a potted plant leak to dog urine, these babies have not been phased by any accidents or spills.

And while there has been no noticeable scratches or scuffs on the actual hardwood planks themselves, my only complaint with this product is just one small area of wear and tear on the threshold piece of my front door…

After speaking to a few professionals in the flooring industry (including the LVT rep from another brand who sold me my kitchen flooring), it seems that this is actually a common complaint with high-trafficked transition pieces. If you are a stickler about this kind of thing, It may be smart to order extra transition pieces just in case.

Luckily the rest of the transition pieces in my home are doing just fine.

Bottom Line: If you are considering installing any product over existing tile or wood subfloors, I recommend the following:

  1. Be sure the manufacturer explicitly states that the product is ok for use over existing subfloors as you can not use just any ol’ LVT or engineered wood planking on top of ceramic tile and/or solid hardwood.
  2. If there are any protruding or blatantly uneven pieces of tile or wood planks on your existing subfloor, you will need to level this out before you begin installing new flooring. There is one small piece of uneven subfloor that I do occasionally feel underfoot when I walk over it.
how to install hardwoods over tile flooring review

Other than the one uneven piece of subflooring and the wear and tear on my door threshold, I am still just as in love with this flooring as the first day I received it. It truly has made this home of mine feel complete!

As someone who normally steers clear of brand sponsorships (I don’t want to promote products I would never use myself), I am so relieved to have partnered with a brand and a product I truly feel comfortable and excited about endorsing.

As a DIY-er who has worked with various types of floating floor applications, the Floorté Hardwood Series by Shaw Floors was, by far, the highest quality.

Thank you all so much for stopping by this week, and remember….life is too short to live with ugly floors that you absolutely despise. You can do this!

can you really install hardwoods on top of old flooring

Now get out there and design some good vibes along with a fabulous life!

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an honest review of my floating hardwoods installed over old floors

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Welcome!

My journey in interior design and home improvement began with transforming my first fixer-upper home, all while managing a budget and raising two young boys. My work, a reflection of my passion for creating beautiful, uplifting spaces, has been recognized by top publications like Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, HGTV, and more. I invite you to explore my site and witness the transformation of my home and the vibes we've designed.Read more...

Keith

Tuesday 20th of July 2021

Hi! We went with the Floorte Hardwood Hickory and while I love the look, I've noticed it scratches a little easily considering we've tried to be extra careful with it and have no large animals. Did you notice some initial white scratching of the top coat that wasn't so noticeable once you had more time/foot traffic to "fill in" the scratches? I tried our wax crayon but it's not a deep enough cut or gouge for that to do anything.

Designing Vibes

Wednesday 21st of July 2021

Hi Keith! While I have not noticed any scratches on the actual floor planks, a transition piece at the threshold of my front door has experienced some scratches.

Allegra

Thursday 8th of July 2021

Hi, what is the specific color name of the Shaw floorte that you used? I love the lighter color of yours, but not was sure which one it was. Thanks!!

Designing Vibes

Wednesday 21st of July 2021

Hi Allegra. I am so sorry I am just now seeing your question. The color is brightened oak in the floorte exquisite line. :)

Deirdre Elizabeth Bolter

Wednesday 30th of June 2021

I would love to do this to my hardwoods, but I have hardwood stairs & don't know if there are products for the them & how to not have a gap from the flooring on top of the existing hardwoods & then the lip of the step? Your floors look amazing, I have the old golden oak hardwoods so I would love to go this route & not have to move all the furniture out & wait a few days for it to dry. What a change the lighter color makes!

Designing Vibes

Wednesday 30th of June 2021

Hi Deirdre! They actually do make stair pieces. For the lip, you would need to use a bullnose piece. They offer it in the line I have. Hope this gives you some hope. :)

Maria

Wednesday 23rd of June 2021

Life is too short to live with ugly floors!!!! I love it;) From your photos I can see that these lighter toned floors made a huge difference in the look of your home. So nice to know that these can go over most existing floors and hold up well. Thanks for sharing and I love your designing vibes:)

Designing Vibes

Wednesday 30th of June 2021

Thanks, Maria! This type of application has been a lifesaver for us.