How to Prepare and Lay Tiles on Floorboards



Tiling over floorboards can give your home a fresh, modern look, but you need to take the proper steps to ensure a durable and long-lasting finish. Whether you are doing a kitchen, bathroom, or any other area, knowing how to tile over floorboards, prepare floor for tile, and lay tile on wood floors is important. This guide will take you through the process step by step.

Can You Tile Over Floorboards?

Yes, you can tile over, but it's not as simple as applying adhesive and sticking down tiles. Floorboards are flexible and prone to movement, which can lead to cracked tiles or grout if the surface isn't prepared properly. To avoid these issues, follow the preparation and installation steps outlined below.

Step 1: Assess the Floorboards

Inspect the floorboards for any damage before preparing the floor for tile. Identify loose, uneven, or creaky boards and repair them by:

  • Screwing loose boards tight.

  • Sanding down uneven spots.

  • Replacing any damaged boards.


Ensure that your floor is stable; otherwise, slight movement will break the integrity of your surface as it gets tiled.

Step 2: Clean the Surface

When laying tile on wood floors, a dust-free surface is essential. Use a broom or vacuum cleaner to sweep away dust and debris from the floorboards. In the case of grease or stickiness, clean them with a floor cleaner appropriate to the floor, letting the boards dry before proceeding.

Step 3: Add a Substrate

You must install a substrate on top of your floorboards. This will serve as a strong, flat surface for your tiles. The two most common choices are:


  1. Cement Backer Board:

  • Cut the boards to size and place them over the floorboards with a gap of approximately 3mm between each board.

  • Use backer board screws to secure the boards in place.


  1. Plywood

  • It should be exterior-grade plywood at least 12mm thick

  • Screw it down on the floorboards firmly so that it's in good position.


  1. Decoupling Membrane

  • It is the flexible layer which can absorb the movement between the tiles and floorboards thus minimising cracks.

  • Attach the membrane according to the manufacturer's instructions and fix the tile adhesive onto the surface.

Step 4: Mark Tile Layout

A crucial step before lay tile on wood floors is to plan out your tile layout. Use a chalk line or pencil to draw a line around the centre of the room working your way outward. Dry lay the tiles in order to see that your layout is even, then make necessary adjustments.

Step 5: Apply Tile Adhesive

Preparing a floor for tile over floorboards calls for choosing the right adhesive. For wooden floors, you want to use a flexible tile adhesive to accommodate the movement of the floor. This is how to do it.

  1. Use a notched trowel to spread adhesive evenly on a small portion of the floor.

  2. Work in small portions so the adhesive does not dry up on you.

  3. Allow time according to the adhesive manufacturer for the adhesive to dry.

Step 6: Lay the Tiles

With the adhesive in place, it is time to lay tile on wood floors.

  1. Press each tile firmly into the adhesive, using spacers to maintain even gaps for grouting.

  2. Check regularly with a spirit level to ensure the tiles are flat and even.

  3. Continue working section by section until the entire floor is covered.

  4. Allow the adhesive to set for the recommended time before proceeding to the next step.

Step 7: Grout the Tiles

Remove the spacers when the adhesive is dry. Spread grout.

  1. Prepare grout according to package instructions

  2. Work the grout into gaps with a grout float.

  3. Sweep up grout surplus using a damp sponge. The sponge must be wrung out quite often.

  4. Once it has been properly cured, one can start walking on tiles

Tips to Get it Right

  • Use only flexible adhesives and grouts for floors, over which floorboards will have been placed.

  • Ensure the floorboards and substrate are secure and stable before tiling.

  • Leave a small gap around the room’s edges to allow for expansion, covering it later with skirting boards or trim.

  • Follow all manufacturer instructions for adhesive and grout application.

Tiling over floorboards can be a very rewarding DIY project when done correctly. Take the time to prepare floor for tile and then use best practices in lay tile on wood floors for that professional finish to last you years. Proper preparation and proper materials will mean that your floor looks fantastic, and it lasts.


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