OK - here's the problem. I currently have carpet with a tile fireplace (meaning that a few tiles have been placed on the floor in front of the fireplace to make it appear as if a hearth were there). When I lay the hardwood, it will be a full 1/4 inch higher than the existing tile, making for a pretty awkward transition. I could do it with some threshold, but I think it would look like a big bowl in the floor. The best solution I have come up with thus far is to tear up the old tile, install hardwood all the way up to the wall and come back over the hardwood with a layer of tile. Then I could use quarter round or base shoe to wrap around the tile.

Has anyone done this? Is it OK to tile over the hardwood? Is the expansion in the wood going to break the tile? Also, if I do this, do you think that I will be able to salvage the old tile? Or should I just buy new stuff?

Thanks - Adam

If the floor you are installing is a 3/4" solid. The method I use is to frame the hearth with the material placing the tongue away from the fire place. Then rip the bottom of the groove off. This will create a overlap piece. you can lay over the tile.

Then to get even more custom. I will bevel the remaining portion of the groove side to ease the transition. If more expansion space is needed you can the re-groove the piece again. Followed by ripping the bottom of the groove off once more. Thus deepening the groove and giving you the space you will need.

That still places the tile lower than the hardwood. For the very small investment of about $50.00 or so, you could build a proper hearth with 1/4" Hardi backer board and some nice 12 x12 x 1/2" floor tiles. Lay out the tile so you use full tiles and avoid having to cut them. Thin set and screw the backer board down. Then thin set the tile down. Then grout. The tile will be at 3/4" or ever so slightly higher, depending on tile thickness. Consider using marble or granite tile but any quality floor tile will work. An easy tile project.

Thanks for the info - after some consideration, I believe that we have decided to tile over the old tile to get to the desired height. Not sure why we didn't think of that sooner?