Laying flooring on top of tiles in hallway

[Misty9]

I've got terracotta tiles in the hallway (not quarry I don't think) which I suspect are the original tiles in the 1950s house. I originally planned to restore them but the downstairs of my house is freezing so I'm now thinking of putting something hopefully warmer down instead. I'm leaning towards cork or bamboo, but can I lay things like that directly onto the tiles? Taking the tiles up would be a massive pain.

I think you would need to skim them first to get rid of the lines between the tiles. Cork is quite hard to maintain and I probably wouldn’t put it in a hallway anyway, have you considered vinyl planks or tiles?

Quick-step do an underlay that can be fitted directly on tiles for their flooring.

Bear in mind anything too thick will reduce the height of your bottom step which could feel odd when you go up and down the stairs.

Why not try restoring the tiles plus a large runner?

We did this in the kitchen, had the floor skimmed with some self levelling compound and then laid Lino on top.

@itbemay1

We did this in the kitchen, had the floor skimmed with some self levelling compound and then laid Lino on top.

Yes, I've done this in the kitchen too but wanted to perhaps leave the option of uncovering the hallway tiles at an undefined later date.

@minipie

Bear in mind anything too thick will reduce the height of your bottom step which could feel odd when you go up and down the stairs.

Why not try restoring the tiles plus a large runner?

Yes I read that reducing the height of the bottom step can also risk breaking building regs. Hmm, maybe I'll think again about restoring. It's an awkward shaped space for a rug/runner as it's square with a bit going off it. It's mostly how cold the downstairs is which made me think about an alternative floor covering.

As the house is 1950s, if you haven't already, you might need to get them tested for asbestos if you do end up taking up the tiles.

Just put a plywood floor down first.
It’s what we did over the old marley tiles in our kitchen and hall. Thick tape up the joins and away you go.
We’ve had vinyl down and now we have laminate.

Carpet + underlay is much thicker than solid flooring, 26mm as opposed to 20mm.

I’m not sure that new flooring is going to make a huge difference to the house temperature? unless you feel like the cold is coming up through the floor. A rug would help with making it feel cosier though even if it’s only on the square bit of the hall.

Have you checked for gaps around doors and windows and put in draught blocking tape - that can make a huge difference.

@minipie

I’m not sure that new flooring is going to make a huge difference to the house temperature? unless you feel like the cold is coming up through the floor. A rug would help with making it feel cosier though even if it’s only on the square bit of the hall.

Have you checked for gaps around doors and windows and put in draught blocking tape - that can make a huge difference.

I can't see a gap under the front door but I can definitely feel a draught so that's a good idea. It's more the through lounge which is freezing - upstairs and the kitchen are usually toasty. I just felt that a tiled hallway won't be helping the lounge issue but I'll think again perhaps.

Hmm do you have floorboards in the lounge, if so maybe there’s a draught through the gaps? Or the windows, or a chimney?

No, it's carpet - a thin old one as I ran out of budget and motivation to change it - and a gas fire (defunct). There's only one radiator for the whole room so it needs another one I know, but can't get anyone out until lockdown lifts.

You definitely can have tradesmen round during lockdown if you are comfortable with that?

I presume you have bled the radiator?

I have bled it yes. Finding a good plumber/heating engineer around here is like finding hen's teeth - the one I've been recommended still isn't doing indoor jobs out of choice

Ah well, it's heating up now outside at least!