Tiling a Kitcen Countertop. Need Experts Advice?

Question

I just installed new cabinets in my kitchen and I decided I would tile the countertop and backsplash. I was thinking of either putting 3/4" plywood or 3/4" fiberboard down and laying the tile ontop of that. Then I was planning on sealing the tile.
Here is my question. Since plywood has a tendency to warp, would it be better to use fiberboard instead... or will that sag after time?
Also, do you think its a good ideal to seal the wood (plywood or fiberboard) with a coat of polyurethane before laying the tile?
If anyone has ever done this before, any additional tips that you could think of will also be helpful
Thank you!

Answer 1

40 years a tilesetter...........use 3/4" plywood, then use 1/4" hardy board over ply, glue and nail. now use thin-set to install tile. remember to check layout of tile BEFORE you start laying any tile.....make sure you have NO 1/2" pieces anywhere...........get Hardy board at Lowes or Depot.....We never had a failure with this application...

Answer 2

what you need is 3/8" plywood then 1/2" tile backer board liquid nail the plywood to he cabinet then liquid nail the tile baker board to the plywood i said liquid nail because cabinet do move over time and liquid nail will hold every thing in place much longer then nails you would only nail on the back side of the cabinet now after you backer board you would need tile mastic not thin-set because if the cabinet moves you wont have tile that cracks tile mastic turns like rubber when it dries so it becomes flexible and you're tile wont crack you should never thin-set on counter tops the reason you would use 3/8" plywood and then 1/2" tile backer board that would put you at 1 1/4" when you're done with every thing from the top of the cabinet to the top of the tile and that's where you need to be

tile expert

that's how i do counter tops
good luck

Answer 3

I have tiled countertops and although you could put it over plywood or particle board you are better to get a material specifically designed for ceramic tiles. You can use the same type of material that is used for floors. Build your countertop with particleboard (1/2") then use a moisture resistant 1/4" material over it to adhere the tiles to. They come in sheets that are 4'x4' and have a grid on them. The material can be found at any Home Depot and is as easy to cut as drywall.

Answer 4

you ought to instal tile promptly onto a formica countertop, even though it probable won't stay. motives why tile is put in over a pourous floor including wood or drywall is so the puddy will take in into the backing and stick the tile to the backing. With a non pourous floor like formica this isn't the case and the seal will probable no longer carry or no longer carry for terribly long.

Answer 5

Belhop is exactly right. The only thing that I would add is that I used Advantech 3/4 plywood. It is normally used for flooring and has been treated to be resistant to warping. It is about twice the price of regular plywood but I wanted the added security.

Answer 6

ply wood & nail it / screw it to the cabinet walls it will never warp or sag.... hardie backer on top of wood ( i did apply directly to wood once & as far as i know it's still down - 1980's )

Answer 7

if you have an existing counter top I would just score and sand it, then lay the tile to that.