Is it possible to tile over a Formica kitchen counter top. The surface
would be sanded and a thin set additive would be added? The counter top
is about 1 1.4″ thick. Would it help to paint it first with a gripper type paint?
The tiles would be 1 foot. Is there an epoxy that might work better?
thanks
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Replies
i'd nail down 1/4" hardi board down first. maybe even trowel a thin coat of thinset down for the cement board to lay on. i'd be worried about the glue holding tight to the formica and it would only take a few minutes to tack the hardi board on and know it's good. larry
my advice is to start from scratch. why take chances when you can begin anew with pretty minimal effort?
I like the 1/4" hardiboard. It is going to be the same as starting from scratch except for the 3/32" of formica underneath. For the life of me I can't imagine what would be wrong with that plan.
It's not quite the same Geoff. The existing countertop is probably mdf. A new top would be plywood. Either one would benefit from a layer of hardie or ditra.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
Not sure what is under the formica but it predates my ownership atleast 27 years
My father tiled his own kitchen floor about 15 years ago. He found some mastic that bonded the tile to the existing vinyl flooring (asbestos based so he didn't want to mess with it). The house is all of 900 sq ft and the kitchen serves as hallway and dining area. It gets punished. And the tiles have never popped.
I'd go for a direct overlay. Check with a pro tile shop for recommendations on setting materials. If my father found something 15 years ago - there must be better stuff out there today.
MG
Hey Mike! Did FHB call you in to bring some sanity to this place? I always enjoy your articles in the magazine, and it's great to see you posting here!
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA
Thanks,No no one at FHB puts me up to this. I cruise BT for topics that are either orphaned (no replies or limited replies) or I look for contraversial ones where I can raise some feathers (as in this case - JUST TILE OVER THE PLASTIC). I'm waiting for the 'hate' posts to start.And I look for dumb answers that send some poor unsuspecting reader off on an outdated solution. But these are much rarer than they were 6 years ago.MG