Flooring Renovation for Uttarahalli's Older BDA Homes — Restore or Overlay?

If the Kota stone is firmly bonded, not hollow, and has adequate surface roughness (tile adhesive bead holds without sliding), yes. Highly polished Kota stone needs an acid wash or light mechanical abrasion to create adhesion tooth before tiling.

600×600mm is the practical upper limit for mosaic overlay installations. Larger tiles require a flatter base than mosaic can typically provide without a levelling compound layer. We check with a 2-metre straightedge before specifying tile size.

Vitrified tiles are the most practical choice for most Bangalore homes: they are waterproof, highly durable, easy to clean, and perform perfectly across monsoon and dry seasons. Laminate flooring offers a warmer wood-look finish that is more comfortable underfoot in bedrooms, but it is moisture-sensitive — avoid it in rooms with any risk of water contact (near balcony doors, kitchen, bathrooms). Vinyl (LVT) is a newer option that gives the wood-look warmth of laminate with near-tile waterproofing — an excellent bedroom option for Bangalore flats.

Overlaying new tiles on existing tiles is possible if the existing tiles are firmly bonded (no hollow spots), the ceiling height permits a 12–15mm height gain, and door clearances allow for it. We test each tile by tapping before recommending an overlay — hollow tiles must be removed to prevent failure of the new layer. Laminate or vinyl can be installed over existing tiles more easily, as they are thinner and require only a flat (not bonded) subfloor.