Remove or cover old floors – which is the better solution?

Whether renovating, redesigning or refurbishing, the question often arises with ageing floors: should the old floor be removed or simply covered? Both options have their advantages and disadvantages – and they have a decisive impact on the amount of work involved, costs and sustainability. In this article, we show you what matters – and what advantages modern design floor coverings such as CERAMIN® offer.

Removing flooring – the classic method with substance

Advantages:

  • A clean start: During removal, the substrate can be professionally inspected, levelled and prepared.
  • No compromises on height: Every millimetre counts, especially when renovating – door frames, furniture and stair connections remain unaffected.
  • Removal of old contaminants: Older PVC or carpeted floors in particular can be substances harmful to health such as plasticisers or asbestos.


Disadvantages:

  • Time-consuming and costly: Removing old flooring, especially if it is glued down, can be a laborious task.
  • Noise, dust & disposal: This is particularly challenging in inhabited rooms – and not always feasible.

Covering old floors – the smart alternative

Advantages:

  • Quick renovation without demolition: Ideal for rented accommodation or when you have a tight schedule.
  • Less dirt, less effort: No noise, no dust, no disposal – a real bonus in everyday life.
  • Acting more sustainably: Bestehende Materialien bleiben erhalten – in Kombination mit einem recyclable floor covering how CERAMIN an environmentally friendly solution.


Requirements:

  • The old floor must be stable, level and dry sein.
  • Soft surfaces such as carpets or loose tiles are not suitable.
  • The installation height and impact sound should be carefully checked.

CERAMIN – the perfect solution for both approaches

Whether you decide to completely remove the old floor or plan to cover it, CERAMIN design floor coverings offer you maximum flexibility.

Why CERAMIN®?

  • Extremely dimensionally stable – even with floating installation
  • Ideal for old tiles, thanks to low overall height
  • Low emissions & healthy living – Free from PVC and plasticisers
  • 100% recyclable – it couldn't be more sustainable


CERAMIN really shows its strengths when laid on old tiles or screed: the floor is particularly thin and resilient.

Our conclusion: It depends on the floor and your goals.

Choose the Removeif:

  • Contaminants suspected in old coating
  • the old floor is badly damaged
  • you want to play it safe in the long term and technically


Select the over-coverageif:

  • you want to work sustainably and conserve resources
  • the old coating is stable
  • you want to save time, money and effort


With a CERAMIN flooring you are in good hands in both cases.

FAQ – frequently asked questions on the topic

Can I lay CERAMIN on tiles?
Yes – CERAMIN is perfectly suited for installation on solid existing floor coverings such as tiles.
What do I need to consider regarding the installation height?
CERAMIN is particularly thin and prevents typical problems on door frames and transitions.
Is CERAMIN suitable for rented accommodation?
Yes – CERAMIN can be laid as a floating floor and removed again without leaving any residue.

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