I want lay down tiles on my kitchen counter top!?

Question

What is the best way to do this, I currently have formica its ugly I got a new stove and that new stove does not look good with my counter, SO I want to lay down white tiles, I'm not sure how to go about it, I see the tiles are not too expensive only 12 cent a tile. So I think I can handle that. Does anyone know how and what to do. Thanks.

Also do you have to use the foam Float...I heard its not nessecary. Also should I use ready mix grout or the kind you have to mix?

Answer 1

have to lightly sand the present countertop if you are not removing it to enable the tile glue to stick better. lay the tiles with tile spacers in between each side to keep the tiles straight. let the glue set for at least 8 hours. mix your grout but make sure it is not too thin, and spread it along the spaces. make sure you take out the spacers first. go over each space a few times to make sure there are no air bubbles. wipe of the tiles with a damp cloth to get excess stuff of them. wait for it to dry and then cover with a sealant to protect the counter from absorbing moisture

Answer 2

First, don't lay tile directly over formica. It won't bond. You need to do either two things. If it doesn't raise the height to much, you can screw 1/4" backer board to the top of countertop. Every six inches in the field 3 " along seams and edges. If that is not an option, then rip out the old countertop and start from scratch. Build it up with 3/4" plywood and 1/2" backerboard. If you look under the counter, you will see how the old countetop is attached. Attach the plywood the same way, but you just may have to use shorter screws. Then the backerboard. You are supposted to use latex modified thinset mortar as an adhesive, but if you want construction adhesive (liquid nail) will do. Nail with 1-1/4" roofing nail every 6" in the field and 3" along seams and edges.
BTW, when do the area for the range, allow for the tile, if you put tile on edges there. That would really make you mad, if try to slide your range in and now the opening is too small, b/c of the tile.
Ok, the tile needs a bullnose or cap for the edges. There many different ways to do the edges of a countertop. I like the simple quick, clean way. Some people call it sink rail. You may want to do some research, b/c discribing a profile is hard. The cross section looks like an "L" with a bit of hump. There may be outside and inside corners. You have to do some research there too. I lay edges first. Basically, just butter them up with thinset mortar and keep them straight with a straight edge, chalk line or string. Need to keep the edge as straight as possible, it will make laying the field tile easier. Then lay the field with thinset mortar as you would lay a floor. I don't use spacers, but if you are comfortable with that, then go with it. You said the tile was $0.12 / pc. That makes me think its a 4x4 . In which case, you butt the tile together. Trowel size is determined by tile size, generally. Ask someone at the store, but generally, 4x4 use 3/16" v-notch up to 12" 1/4" square notch, bigger than 3/8" sqaure notch (although I use a special trowel for bigger tile, its got an odd profile)
As embrassing as it is, I've never used the epoxy grouts that people keep suggesting. I'll try it next opportunity I get. I've only used regular cementious grout, unsanded for small lines and sanded for anything over 1/16" Then seal.
spell check is off. Hope it makes sense
Good luck, I'm sure it will look great.

Answer 3

Get a thin plywood and cover the formica wirh it by screwing it on. Clean your plywoodso there are no dust particles and otherdirt. than get some cement glue mix it with water and pread it with a 1/8 glue spreader. when you lay the tiles down make shure they are level and use spacers between them. make shure you measure your countertop and lay your tiles out and measure them so you can have a nice even edges so your tiles are even on both ends(sides). Afterthe glue dries check the time on the package, you can grout get the premixed epoxy stuff so it won't stain when you spill stuff on your counter. When you put the grout on your tiles spread the grout on top of your tiles and between the tiles and wash it off lightly from the tiles with a wet sponge while being carefull not to rub the grout from between the tiles.
good luck , also try looking at some books with pictures that might help.

Answer 4

First of all you don't want to put tile on formica...the adhesive will not hold....either remove the formica or cover it with a thin Wonder Board...then use tile adhesive on that and it will hold...or email me and I can get you some contrators that do this

Answer 5

Your best bet is to go to the Tile place and ask them for help. If anyone knows how to lay tile, they are the ones and they can instruct you. You may become a repeat customer that way.
You want to spend lots of money, hire a contractor

Answer 6

go to a class at either Lowes or Home Depot they are free and will show you how to do everything you will need