Laying a creamic tile countertop - Installing it by myself?

Question

I currently have a formica countertop. I am going to be installing 12x12 granite tiles over the existing formica. Can I do this, or do I have to rip out the counter top and replace the wood before I can tile? Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your answers.

Answer 1

The best way to do the job is to remove the formica.Then install 3/4 inch plywood.Check counters for level and dip's backerboard will not eliminate them thats why proffesional tile installors mud the deck.Hope this helps proffesional installer 8 years.

Answer 2

Before you waste the money that you just spent on granite tiles, Please stop and listen. You can't tile over formica!!! Here's the problem, Under the formica is particle board. When particle board becomes wet, it swells and becomes disfigured. This can happen because of a plumbing mishap, or simply because the seal on the sink broke. If that were to happen and you had a formica countertop, you would have to throw it out and buy a new one, but the good news is that your only cost is replacing the formica. If you tile over the formica, and it becomes wet, it will swell, causing the counter to change shape under the tile, which could raise and or break your tiles. You need to tear out existing counter. Put down 3/4" plywood, and glue and screw 1/4" cement board. Mortar,tile,grout, and seal as usual.

Answer 3

You could instal tile directly onto a formica countertop, but it likely will not stay. The reason why tile is installed over a pourous surface such as wood or drywall is so the puddy will absorb into the backing and stick the tile to the backing. With a non pourous surface like formica this is not the case and the seal will likely not hold or not hold for very long.

Answer 4

If the formica is smooth, it has to be roughed up for the mortar to have something to grab a hold of. The counter itself should be solid enough to carry the weight. I inquired about doing the same thing in my kitchen, but the guy at Lowes said to lay down a sheet of plywood on top of the formica. I personally didn't see what purpose that would serve but to each his own. Good luck!

Answer 5

I would redo the wood the adhesive for the tile might not stick too well to the formica.

Answer 6

Yes, but you'll need to buy a cement to bond the tile to the formica.

Answer 7

To do this correctly I am pretty sure you will have to rip it all up and put a concrete backerboard down so the surface is smooth and the mortor can properly stick to the surface. If you dont not install it on the right surface you can get cracks in the tile or in the grout.