Yes, in many indoor areas you can tile over existing tiles, as long as the old tiles are firmly bonded, flat and not drummy or cracked, according to ARDEX’s technical bulletin on tile-on-tile work. The surface must be cleaned or ground, primed and laid with a suitable flexible adhesive at full coverage. It is not a fix for a leaking shower: a new layer of tiles will not solve a waterproofing problem, and pools, heavy or large-format wall tiles and some outdoor areas are not suitable.
- Tile-on-tile can work indoors if the old tiles are sound, flat and well bonded, with no drummy or loose tiles (ARDEX TB117).
- A new layer of tiles in a shower will not fix a leak; the waterproofing problem must be fixed first.
- ARDEX says heavy and large-format tiles over existing tiles should not be considered a safe installation.
- Tiling over tiles raises the floor, so doors, floor wastes, toilets, skirting and appliances must be checked.
- It can save tile removal, which costs about $23 to $63 per m² in Sydney (What’s The Damage, October 2026).
Can you tile over tiles?
Yes, you can often tile over existing tiles indoors, if the old tiles are sound. ARDEX’s technical bulletin TB117 says ceramic tiles can be laid over existing tiles in internal areas using suitable adhesive systems, but the existing surface must be sound, with no loose or drummy tiles. The new tiles are only as good as the bond of the old ones underneath.
Tile-on-tile means fixing new tiles directly over an existing tiled surface instead of removing it. It suits dated but solid kitchen floors, splashbacks, laundries and some dry bathroom walls. It does not suit leaking showers, pools, or anywhere the old tiles are moving.
When does tiling over tiles work, and when doesn’t it?
It works when the old tiles are solid and the new layer will not cause height, weight or water problems.
| Situation | Usually suitable? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor floor, old tiles firm and flat | Often yes | Sound, well-bonded tiles can act as the base with the right preparation and adhesive |
| Kitchen splashback or dry wall | Often yes | Low water exposure; check the wall can carry the extra weight |
| Drummy, loose or cracked tiles | No | The new tiles rely on the old bond; unsound tiles must be removed |
| Leaking shower or wet area with doubtful waterproofing | No | A new layer of tiles will not fix the leak; the membrane must be repaired or replaced |
| Heavy or large-format tiles on walls | Not recommended | Both layers load the wall; ARDEX says this should not be considered safe |
| Shaded outdoor floors with good falls | Sometimes | ARDEX accepts shaded external walls and floors with falls that stop ponding |
| Swimming pools, ponds, driveways, high facades, cantilevered decks | No | High stress, movement or immersion; excluded by ARDEX’s procedure |
Source: ARDEX Technical Bulletin TB117, applications of tiles onto pre-existing tiles (April 2020). Your tiler should confirm with the adhesive maker’s current data sheets.
How do you check the old tiles are sound?
Your tiler should test the old surface before agreeing to tile over it. ARDEX notes that mechanical preparation, such as grinding, will usually reveal unsound tiles.
- Tap test: tap every tile with a coin or the handle of a tool. A hollow, drummy sound means the tile has lost its bond.
- Look for cracks, lifting edges, crumbling grout and signs of movement or water damage.
- Check flatness with a long straight edge, especially if the new tiles are large.
- Clean off sealers, grease and soap scum. Construction Chemicals’ guide says contaminated or sealed surfaces should be mechanically abraded, and if in doubt a test area must be done.
- Lay a small test area with the chosen primer and adhesive, let it set, then check the bond before tiling the whole surface.
Drummy tiles are tiles that sound hollow when tapped because the adhesive underneath has let go. A few can be removed and the gaps filled, but widespread drumminess usually means the floor should be stripped.
Can you tile over tiles in a bathroom or shower?
Sometimes on dry bathroom walls, but it is risky in showers and on wet floors. ARDEX’s bulletin says plainly that a new layer of tiles in a shower recess will not remedy waterproofing problems unless the leak itself is fixed.
Under the NCC 2022 Housing Provisions, shower floors and walls to at least 1,800 mm must be waterproof, and the bathroom floor must fall to the waste at between 1:80 and 1:50. Tiling over the old floor can upset those falls and the shower edge, and it hides the membrane you would need to inspect.
- If the bathroom has never leaked and the old tiles are firm, a tiler may be able to tile over dry walls outside the shower.
- If there is any sign of a leak, find the cause first. Our guide Leaking Shower Repair Sydney explains how.
- If the membrane has failed, the usual fix is to strip, re-waterproof and re-tile.
Never tile over a leaking shower to hide the problem. Water will keep reaching the walls, floor and framing behind the new tiles. In NSW, waterproofing and tiling work worth more than $5,000 including GST needs a licensed contractor, so check licences on Verify NSW.
What about floor height, doors and fixtures?
Tiling over tiles adds the thickness of a new tile and its adhesive bed, so the floor or wall comes forward. Before you commit, check:
- Doors: they may need trimming to clear the new floor.
- Thresholds: the new floor may sit higher than the next room, so a trim or ramp may be needed.
- Floor wastes: the grate must be raised to the new level, and the floor must still fall to it.
- Toilets and vanities: they may need to come off and be refitted by a licensed plumber.
- Kitchen appliances: a dishwasher or fridge may no longer fit under the bench or into its space.
- Skirting, architraves and window reveals: wall tiles need neat edges where they meet.
- Power points, switches and tapware on tiled walls may need extending, by a licensed electrician or plumber.
How is tile-on-tile prepared and laid?
Preparation decides whether tile-on-tile lasts. ARDEX’s bulletin describes three levels of preparation, from thorough cleaning (indoors only) to grinding off at least 80 per cent of the glaze before priming.
- Clean thoroughly with sugar soap or a degreaser and rinse, especially in kitchens.
- Grind or abrade glazed, sealed or polished tiles where the system needs it, then vacuum and prime.
- Use a flexible adhesive the maker approves for tile-on-tile, with 100 per cent coverage on the old tile face and the back of the new tile.
- Carry movement joints in the old tiles through the new layer, and add control joints as AS 3958 requires, or the new tiles can crack.
- For large-format tiles, a smoothing coat over the old tiles may be needed to get the surface flat.
Construction Chemicals’ guide adds that grouting follows once the adhesive has set, about 24 hours for its products.
Is it cheaper to tile over tiles?
It can be, because you avoid removing and disposing of the old tiles. What’s The Damage puts tile removal in Sydney at about $23 to $63 per m² (October 2026). On a 10 m² floor, that is roughly $230 to $630 you may not spend.
But the savings can shrink. Grinding, priming, premium adhesive, trimming doors and refitting fixtures all cost money. Floor levelling in Sydney runs about $17 to $57 per m². The labour to lay the new tiles is the same, about $46 to $105 per m² for standard floors.
If only the grout is tired, regrouting may be cheaper still: Airtasker’s price data (October 2026) shows about $281 to $640 per job.
Tile-on-tile can also cost more later. If the new tiles ever need replacing, there are now two layers to remove. Weigh the saving today against how long you plan to keep the new floor.
How long does it take to tile a bathroom?
In a full renovation, What’s The Damage puts bathroom tiling at about 4 to 7 days, plus 1 to 2 days for grouting and silicone. Tile-on-tile skips demolition, but it still needs cleaning, grinding and priming, and the adhesive must set before grouting.
For a full room-by-room picture, see our guide How Long Does a Bathroom Renovation Take in Sydney? For prices, see Tiling Cost per m² Sydney.
Get a tiler to check your tiles
Describe your tiles to MyTradeCrew: the room, the area in m², whether any tiles sound hollow, and any leaks. We’ll send your job to up to three vetted, licensed and insured local tilers from our crew, who can inspect, quote and contract with you directly. It is free for homeowners.
Frequently asked questions
Can you tile over drummy tiles?
No. Drummy tiles have already lost their bond, and the new layer depends on the old one holding. ARDEX says the existing surface must have no loose or drummy tiles. A few drummy tiles can be removed and the gaps filled before tiling over, but if drumminess is widespread, the old tiles should be stripped.
Can you tile over tiles outside?
Sometimes. ARDEX accepts shaded external walls and floors that have enough fall to stop water ponding. It excludes high facades and walls, cantilevered verandas or decks, tiled driveways, swimming pools and ponds, because of high stress, movement or immersion. Outdoor tiles also need a suitable slip rating, so ask your tiler.
Can you put large tiles over small tiles?
It can be done on some floors, but take care. ARDEX notes that large-format tiles over smaller ones on flexible floors may not be desirable, and that large tiles may need a smoothing coat first to get the surface flat. On walls, ARDEX says heavy and large-format tiles over existing tiles should not be considered a safe installation.
Do you need a licence to tile over tiles in NSW?
A contractor needs a wall and floor tiling licence for tiling work worth more than $5,000 in labour and materials, including GST. Small jobs below that amount do not legally need a licence, but a licensed tiler is still the safer choice. Check any tiler’s licence on Verify NSW before you pay a deposit.
Can you tile over a tiled splashback?
Often, yes. A kitchen splashback is a dry, low-stress area, so tiling over firm old tiles can work. Clean off grease thoroughly, check every tile is sound, and use a primer and adhesive approved for tile-on-tile. Check that power points and switches can be extended to sit flush with the new surface, by a licensed electrician.
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