Porcelain over resilient

[Ned n Noho]

Thank you John, for making this forum available. I am interested to know if it is acceptable to place a porcelain tile directly onto a resilient tile that was installed on a slab in 1968-other than the typical condensation during warm weather the slab is flawless-no water infiltration? The resilient tile is completely bonded and there is no sign of any loose tile. Do I need to use a product like Ditra or Dural in order to assure a trouble free install? Lastly, this is a split level that was built with no regard for energy efficiency and has electric baseboard as a primary heat source (though we do the lion's share burning six cords of wood). Does it make sense to install a heating cable in the floor and would this material act as a decoupler? Thanks.

[Houston Remodeler]

Ned,

Welcome to the forum. Its nice to have you. If you could do us a few favors to make it easier for us to better serve you, number your questions as some of the pro's can answer some questions but not all, and we can refer to the same question without all that typing. Can you add your location to your profile? That helps us give materials and methods recommendations.

1- provided the tiles are well adhered you can tile over that with the proper thinset rated for that type of work. Double check all the tiles, one at a time, remember that your new tiles will only be as stuck down as your old ones.By 1968 they weren't still using asbestos tiles were they? I was still in diapers so I wouldn't know...

2- You can add the ditra or such, no real need unless you have other issues. If you have the money in your budget, its a very nice touch.

3- no, its not a de-coupler. if anything, the installation acts more like a bonding agent. Electric floor heat is the most efficient way to heat a room. We install it here in south Texas. But then again, our state motto is: "Raise your thermostat, freeze a Yankee"

[Edthedawg]

If you live in a place where you go thru 6 cord per winter, you'll be very glad to have the heating installed in the tile work, esp in the heavy foot traffic areas. Get a 220V system and focus on the actual foot traffic areas, not places where furniture or other items (laundry hampers, appliances, plants, etc.) will regularly stand. They're great systems, when installed properly and used efficiently.