Taking out the tile isn’t an option both from a time perspective and a cost perspective. As I said, the issue is with soundproofing and the laminate has a different underlay than the vinyl.

And laying on the diagonal isn’t costing me much more - something like $75 for the extra material

I'd try hard to get more of the living room material. The difference between the two, not just in color but in nature of the cracks between the "boards," will look unfortunate, I think.

Unfortunately doing the laminate in that area isn’t an option. It’s either leave it as the black tile or do the vinyl.

Have you looked at the specs for the vinyl? CAN you lay that over the tile? Is it solid core (like Coretec), in which case, that floor will be taller and you may have issues (for example-In a kitchen, you might now be able to then slide out the dishwasher due to the height increase; doorway issues, possible baseboard issues)? Or is it thin, bendable vinyl planks, in which case the tile/grout is going to telegraph through it (looking awful).

I don't understand why you can't take up the tile? How many square feet of tile do you have and how much would you pay per square foot to remove it?

And what problem are you solving by laying vinyl on the diagonal? I don't see what issue that solves?

So it’s about 240sf.

Taking up the tile is expensive because I live in a condo and neighbors complain when there is Jack happening. So the only way to remove is manually with a chisel (ridiculous I know).

The vinyl will go over the tile without a problem and re the height issue, the vinyl is being laid under the dishwasher.

Laying on the diagonal I feel just makes it look more purposeful than having two different floors running in the same direction.

Let me get this straight: The reason you can't take the tile up is because neighbors complain? Do you mean that there are rules against jackhammering up tile?

I would think condos have "rules" about such things. You have been doing a remodel, so I'm sure there has been noise. 240 square foot won't take too long to get up. Maybe just give the neighbors a Starbucks gift card and a friendly note about the hours of jackhammering, and get it over with.

I just don't get it. I have friends in condos and they have tile floors. I'm sure jackhammers are used. Or maybe not! I've never lived in a condo. It seems to me like you are trying to reinvent solutions that thousands of others have already solved. What does everyone else in your building do about jackhammers/remodels?

I’m not trying to reinvent anything….the building won’t allow jackhammering. If I could go the tile route I would.

Is there another vinyl option that doesn’t look like wood planks? Maybe a vinyl option that looks like square tile?

I think two different wood designs is unsettling. (Not the diagonal - the material itself)

No matter which direction you place the new material, it doesn't look right up against your laminate. They are two different "wood" looks that don't relate in any way. If you want vinyl, choose one that looks like stone rather than wood, in a darker color that will blend better with your laminate. I agree with others though that the best thing to do is take out and replace the tile with new tile.

Update: ended up running the vinyl horizontal. I like it :)

Thanks everyone for the feedback