can granite tile be placed over formica counter tops?

Answer 1

sure, but your mastic wont adhere very well as Formica is nonporous. do it right the first time and pop the Formica off.
it doesn't take long with a good set of scrapers

Answer 2

I would take off the formica. I did this last year with a formica counter top and it was easy. Get a wide chisel and tap it under the edge of the formica. With any luck the thing should pretty much pop right up. You may have a problem if the formica was put down by someone who knew what they were doing, but face it, today most people simply have no clue. When I did mine I was able to get the formica up in about 10 minutes. It may rip or break; be careful of the jagged edges as these can be very sharp.

The next consideration is that the countertop has to be strong enough. If it bows down at all when you lean on it, especially around the sink, then it needs to be reinforced.

Lay down a sheet of 6-mil plastic, or better yet, a sheet of the type of membrane used along the lower edges of roofs to prevent leaks from ice dams. You need a good waterproof barrier. Next screw down metal mason's lath; this is a thin diamond-patterened mesh used in masonry applications. Use screws at least every 8 inches in a grid pattern over the whole surface. You can apply the mortar (use thin-set mortar, NOT mastic) and tile right over the lath using 1/4"x3/8" square notch trowel to get the mortar to the right thickness.

Answer 3

Personally, I wouldn't with tiles. There's a danger that the adhesive will be stronger than the formica, and if you knock them, the formica will break up.

There are specialised "granite products" designed to fit over the top of existing counter tops, which are somewhat cheaper than the full-granite worktops.

Alternatively, take out the formica, and put in a piece of dedicated chipboard to mount the tiles onto.

Be careful with granite in a kitchen - it can be stained by olive oil!

Answer 4

I am not sure if tiles can, but I wouldnt see why not. There are a few companies that take the measurements, and make an entire slab to place over the formica countertops. I think you can.

Answer 5

Your problem will not be adherence, it will be weight.The granite tile weighs a bunch - pick up a box at Home Depot, if you don't believe me. Most people put it downn on a normal load surface and then cry when it starts to crack 6 months dow the line because the counter is sagging. If you have 3/4 plywood as a backer, fine. If not, do that first. Good luck.

Answer 6

We just did that and no it can not. You need to take out the formica and then put the granite down. atleast that is what they did to ours i dont know if it can be done but it would be wiser to just take it out first

Answer 7

no it cannot the formica has to come out if you want the job done right.you would be doing a micky mouse job if you do it any other way do it right you will be happy you did it will save you alot of money in the long run.

Answer 8

If you do, and the formica comes unglued later, you'll have to start over.

Answer 9

I wouldn't and I doubt it would be recommended. You certainly wouldn't get the right height or the nice finished bullnose or beveled edging. If you are going to the trouble of upgrading to granite, you should want it done right.

Answer 10

Yes