Many times, when new tile is to be installed, it requires extensive tear-out resulting in noise, dust and dirt, labor costs to remove the existing tile, the expense of taking the waste materials to the dump, and loss of use in the affected area. However, there is a way to eliminate these issues while yielding a very pleasing result.
The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook provides an alternative in method TR711 Tile Over Other Surfacing Materials/Walls and Floors. As seen in the attached image, the success of the 1 m (39-3/8 in.) x 3 m (118-1/8 in.) Gauged Porcelain Tile Panels (GPTP) wall installation is based on the suitability of the existing substrate, which in this case was 4-1/4” x 4-1/4” glazed wall tile and 1” x 1” ceramic mosaic tile set on a very substantial mortar bed.