FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Tile on a laminate countertop

leftisright | Posted in General Discussion on March 11, 2008 03:37am

If you were to want a countertop that is only going to last at most five yearsd, hopefully much less……..is it possible to tile over a laminate countertop?

Wife saw this on the diy network, yah just scuff up the countertop with a grinder, cut off the backsplash with the sawzall and slap on the thin set and set dem tiles. I’m thinking might make it through one dinner party but will fall off after that.

 

I was thinking…..cut off the backsplash, then screw on some hardibacker tape on the deck and the front lip , tape the joints and then tile away.  Only problem is bump on the front that keeps the water from running on the floor.

 

By the way this started as a replacement for a garbage disposer, that led to a new kitchen sink and then the sink led to a new faucet….well you see where this is going. Probably going to gut the kitchen in 3 to 5 years so don’t need a permanent solution.

SWMBO has stated no more laminate countertops……

 

 

Reply

Replies

  1. FastEddie | Mar 11, 2008 04:53am | #1

    As long as the laminate is well adhered, there's nothing wrong with tiling right over it.  But I would add a layer of 1/4" hardie.  Easy and cheap to do, screwed and thinsetted it solves the potential laminate problem, and you can solve the problem with the bump in the front.

    "Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

    "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

    1. leftisright | Mar 11, 2008 05:03am | #2

      So you would thinset underneath the hardie and screw it?  I was getting the impression that the thinset would not adher very well to the laminate if it wasn't scuffed up, but heck it aint going nowhere with a lot of screws right?

      1. FastEddie | Mar 11, 2008 05:13am | #3

        Use a random orbit sander with 60-80 grit paper to take all the shine off.  My Porter cable has a dust hook up, so it works well inside ... if I remember to turn on the vacuum ... and then if i remember to change or clean the filter.

        Anyway, then a thinned layer of thinset, then the hardie, then screws countersunk into the hardie.  You don't need to wait for the thinset to set before laying tile."Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

        "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

  2. seajai | Mar 11, 2008 06:11am | #4

    Construction adhesive sticks to everything. I wouldn't recommend it as a way of setting the tile permanently, but if your looking for a short term solution, I think it would hold up until you made it to the grand remodeling.

     

  3. cliffy | Mar 11, 2008 06:16am | #5

    There was an article in the magazine a few years ago with this very method.

    If I recall it worked great.

    Have a good day

    CLiffy

    1. leftisright | Mar 11, 2008 06:46am | #6

      Yeah but you gotta pay to use the magazine archives and the advice of you guys is free!!!!!

       

      1. cliffy | Mar 11, 2008 06:07pm | #7

        I would have to over to my drafting table and look through a hundred and some magazines of FHB to find it.  What I do remember though is he used cement board in a thin set to the old laminate counter, then also a vertical edge at the front same way. Then he tiled over the whole works.

        Have a good day

        CLiffy

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Flashing a Window Using ZIP Tape

Travis and Joe walk through the step-by-step process of prepping, caulking, and flashing a window using stretch tape and flashing tape from ZIP System.

Featured Video

Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With Viewrail

Learn more about affordable, modern floating stairs, from design to manufacturing to installation.

Related Stories

  • Use a Press Tool for Plumbing Connections
  • Remodeling Around Electrical Panels
  • Podcast 567: Soundproofing, Garage Doors, and Rotted Balconies
  • Podcast 567: Members-only Aftershow — Andrew Zoellner’s House

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 315 - June 2023
    • How to Craft a Copper Roof
    • 5 Lessons from Building in a Cold Climate
    • The Advantages of Cellular PVC Siding
  • Issue 314 - April/May 2023
    • 7 Options for Countertops
    • Tool Test: Wood-Boring Bits
    • Critical Details for Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 313 - Feb/March 2023
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
    • Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
  • Issue 312 - Dec 2022/Jan 2023
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams
  • Issue 311 - November 2022
    • 7 Steps to a Perfect Exterior Paint Job
    • Options for Smarter Home-Energy Tracking
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: James Metoyer

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in