How to update 30 year old ceramic tile floors on a tiny budget?

Mus29956733
by Mus29956733
Tile is thru the entire house excluding four bedrooms. Its a creamy Tan with ivory and peach tones, 15 inches, in good condition. Would like a change but can’t afford to replace them nor laminate over them. Can anything be done that can endure people and pets? Help?

  5 answers
  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Oct 31, 2017

    I would start with a deep cleaning on a tile in the corner or under a sofa. Clean it with water, 1/8 cup of bleach per gallon of water, and a squirt of Dawn. Mix your cleaning liquid in an empty clean gallon milk jug. Label the jug with the ingredients and a big X to show it is poison. I would use a sponge by hand on the test tile. If the cleaner suits you, use a sponge mop for the rest of the job. This should also lighten any faded grout, too.

    Once the floor is clean and dry, you are ready to paint it or go straight to a hard poly sealer. Check your flooring store for advice on which is the most durable. An investment in a good sealer and follow up care may let those ceramic flooring tiles last another many more years.

    Best wishes 😇💞

    • Jo Jo on Oct 31, 2017

      Thank you for helping me with my floors Jewell and thank u for the solution formula for getting them debunked. I really want a change but this may be the only way to go for me. Thank you 😊

  • 17335038 17335038 on Oct 31, 2017

    Realistically there isn't any way to "update" this large area of tiling on a tiny budget, other than giving it a good vigorous cleaning. Elbow grease is next to nothing cheap.


    I would also suggest removing all your light fixture coverings and giving them a thorough cleaning, replacing any amber, yellowed, or discoloured ones with new clear glass or shades. Replace all lightbulbs with new LED lightbulbs. Doing this should not set you back too much $, but will instantly give whiter, brighter light to your home, and should lessen the peachy colour of the tiles as well.

    • See 3 previous
    • 17335038 17335038 on Nov 01, 2017

      You're most welcome. I am sorry that I could not offer you a "magic wand" solution, but as you can read, this is neither a walk in the park, nor a piece of cake. Better to go for a walk in a real park, and then come home, sit on your clean floor, and enjoy some real cake.

    • Jo Jo on Oct 31, 2017

      Hi Janet!

      Thank you for sending me the link and and helping me come to a decision on these tiles. Have u tried this yourself? There are plenty of different ideas and pics how to “paint“ ceramic tile, but I would love to talk to someone who has done it and liked the results or can give advice on what to do and not to do. 😊

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 31, 2017

    sorry no,I opted for laminate over ceramic,however many home talkers have and say they love it

  • 17335038 17335038 on Nov 01, 2017

    Don't give up though on your desire to update other 30yr old decorative aspects of the home. Keep asking questions and reading up, until you find an idea that fits your skill and budget level, and start small with that project.