Hi! About 4 years ago I completely remodeled the bathroom and picked a floor tile that I am not happy with. Why? Because it has a flat -or non glossy- type finish and it shows every shoe scuff & gets dirty very quickly! Plus the color is an off-white which displays dirt easily and the color looks dull in contrast to the white fixtures.
I don’t know if I can put a different type of tile floor over it without messing up the built in radiator or if there is anything that can be done to the tiles to make them more user-friendly! Thanks for your help. I’d really appreciate your help. I think your show is great and I listen every week on WABC in NYC.
Other than re-grouting, ceramic tile is not a material that lends itself to any sort of refinishing. However, as long as the base layer is secure (no loose tile, etc.) and the floor is structurally sound, you can easily add another layer of tile on top of the existing tile. If you are mentally done with ceramic tile, another material you should consider is laminate floor. Available in an unbelievable range of colors and style, laminate floors are very moisture resistant and a perfect choice for a bathroom makeover. It to, can also be laid right over the old tile floor.
As for the heat question, if you are referring to radiant heat that is in the floor, this should not be a problem. If you have a radiator that is built in to the wall, you should also be ok as long as you have at least a 3/8 of an inch or so underneath the radiator to slip in the additional layer. The only possible negative effect I can foresee is that it might be more difficult to get that radiator out of it ever had to be repaired to replaced. This however, would be a rare situation since old radiators are one of the most durable plumbing products ever invented!
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