Blog

Can You Install Carpet Over Existing Flooring?

Posted: July 18, 2025

What You Need to Know About Putting Carpet on Hardwood and Other Floor Types

If you’ve ever thought of simply leaving the floor underneath and installing a new carpet on top, you’re not alone. Homeowners in Plano, TX, and beyond often look for ways to make updating flooring less labor-intensive and more affordable. That includes considering installing carpet over existing floors.

Which floors does it work with? Can you install carpet over laminate? Or hardwood? Or other carpeting?

Schedule An In-Home Consultation

Are There Benefits to Installing Carpet on Top of Another Floor?

The truth is, you’ll get the best installation by taking out the existing floor. Laying carpet over a properly prepared subfloor will always give you the best result. So why do homeowners in Plano and beyond sometimes choose to install carpet over their current floors?

Here are four of the most common reasons:

  1. Convenience. Installing over an existing floor can be an attractive option because it takes less time and labor. And, there’s no old flooring material to dispose of.
  2. Cost. For those looking for budget-friendly floor updates, layering on top of the current floor can help minimize the expense of the renovation project.
  3. Insulation or comfort. Keeping the current floor as a layer under the new carpet can serve as added insulation and will potentially make the floor more comfortable to walk on.
  4. A temporary flooring solution. If you’re renting or looking for a temporary way to make the space warmer and more comfortable, installing carpet tiles, rugs, or even full room carpeting over your current floor can be a solid option.

Which Floors Can You Install Carpet Over?

While installing fresh new carpet over other floors can be an affordable solution for your floor update, which floors does it work on? Can you put carpet over carpet? Let’s talk about it.

Carpeting

Can you lay carpet over carpet? While it may seem relatively harmless, we don’t advise ever putting carpet over carpet because the existing carpet doesn’t give a stable foundation like you would get from hardwood or vinyl. Beyond that, this can trap dust, allergens, and bad odors between the carpets.

Hardwood Flooring

Yes, you can commonly install carpet on hardwood floors, though there are a few considerations to note. Overall, it's important to make sure the wood floors are clean, level, and free of moisture issues before putting carpet down. How you attach the carpet is important—especially if you want to refinish the hardwood later. If you staple the carpet in, it can damage the floors underneath. Include carpet padding to prevent scratching the wood floors.

And if you're connecting your carpet to hardwood floors in adjacent rooms, consider adding transitional pieces to smooth over the connecting points and make the seams from one room to the other feel natural.

Tile Flooring

Installing carpet over tile is generally possible, but you will need to make sure the tile is entirely level. High grout lines or uneven tiles can be felt through the carpet. You'll also want to avoid moisture-prone areas because as soon as the moisture seeps into the carpet, you’ll have potential for mold or mildew growth.

Laminate Flooring

While it’s possible to lay carpet over laminate floors, laminate is often a floating floor, so directly nailing or stapling into it won’t secure your carpet properly. If the laminate is loose or damaged, it’s better to remove it and make sure the subfloor is sturdy.

Luxury Vinyl Floors

Yes, luxury vinyl is often a durable floor to install carpet over. You'll need to make sure the carpet is fully flat and properly glued to the vinyl to avoid wrinkling. If any of the vinyl is soft or spongy, you’ll want to have it replaced or take out the whole floor to avoid issues with your new floor. Trapped moisture can also cause issues, so you can consider including mold-resistant padding to safeguard against mold or mildew.

Concrete Floors

Yes, it’s possible to install carpet over concrete, and it’s a fairly common practice for commercial spaces or basements. Any cracks need to be filled, and if the floor’s uneven, you’ll need to level it. You’ll also want to consider adding a moisture barrier to keep the ground moisture from absorbing into the carpet. A thick padding can help insulate the floor and make it more comfortable to walk on.

When Is It Better to Remove the Existing Floors?

While it’s possible to install new carpet over existing flooring, it’s sometimes not an ideal choice. Here are a few conditions to watch out for:

  • Damaged or uneven subfloor. If the subfloor needs repair, it’s better to remove the current floors to address the damage and make sure the subfloor is clean and level before installing your new carpet. Sealing in the issue leaves you with a bigger mess to deal with down the line.
  • The current floor is loose, noisy, or moldy. Just like with the subfloor, patching over a damaged or rotting floor only makes the issue harder to deal with. The last thing you want is brand-new carpet that squeaks, wrinkles, or—worse—starts molding.
  • You want to ensure you get the longest life possible out of your carpet. Installing carpet over another flooring always runs the risk that the carpet will wear too quickly and won’t last quite as long as it would if it were installed directly over the subfloor.

Installing carpet over other flooring can make for an affordable floor update, but the existing floors would need to be sturdy and in good condition to handle the new floor. If the subfloor or the current floor is damaged in any way, it can affect your nice new carpet, so it’s better to repair the damage—and potentially remove the existing floor—before installing your new carpet.

Ready to Start Your Carpet Project?

You can count on our team at Floor Coverings International® of Plano, TX, to expertly prepare the floors and make your floor installation smooth from start to finish. Ready for your new carpet? Call us at (214) 707-4988 or set up a free consultation with our team today.

Contact our Plano TX team

Whether you’re ready for a quote or want help finding your next floor, we’re ready to provide the quality service you deserve.

(214) 707-4988

Our experts are ready to help with your flooring project.