like the laminated type? i wonder if it possible to just tile over it. and how much of a bitch that would be...

 

I don't think so. Laminated isn't strong enough. Unless you have thick plywood underneath.

 

you need to remove the existing laminate via heatgun. You can then lay over the exposed wood top.

 

Yep like Drew said remove the laminate then go for it. Usually it is just easier to put new treated plywood down then tile it, but with a heat gun and time you can strip the old top with no problems.

 

+1

 

:werd: laminate counters are pretty easy to take off.

My advice would be to rip up the plywood and/or put cement based material on top, such as wonderboard. That stuff should be used for all surfaces may have water on them (like around a shower) so that it will never rot even if water gets into it like traditional plywood or drywall will. It's moderately expensive but well worth it.

 

You can but it is not recommended. It all depends on the substructure anyway. You need to get a good bond between the substrate and the tile or else the tile will pop up and moisture will get in between the tile and substrate. A couple of areas that are particularly susesptible to this is near the sink and over the dishwasher. There are a bunch of different bonding agents that go on like paint at tile stores. Talk to someone working there and tell them what you are doing they should be able to point you in the right direction. Replacing the plywood with cement backer board or other products meant to be used as tilebacker would be the best solution.

 

negative.

just rip the old stuff off, you dont need a heat gun. just a prybar. You can then set over the existing wood with stuff called Mastic, or Laticrete. If you want to build up the edges so its thicker, use a coat of modified thinset over the wood, with 1/4" fiber rock nailed over it then set on the fiber rock.

 

no. you dont need a bonding agent. Its not going to mold through mastic or pop.

Dont nail directly over the existing laminate, becuase without thinset, it will creak even tho you nailed it because thinset will not bond to laminate.

Easy way:

Peel off laminate
Use laticrete or Custom brand fortified thinset, apply directly on to wood (thinset is water proof)
let dry
grout
realize you should have hired a tile setter when the edges look like shit cuz your cheap ass didnt buy bullnose and/or put it on wrong


Right way:

same as above but thinset the wood, nail 1/4" fiber rock (NOT CONCRETE BOARD) then set on that.

I'm a tilesetter.

 

they have something called granite transformations.. which uses your existing counter as the base.