I want to update my counter tops, there is nothing wrong with my laminate other than it is 13 years old and I want tile. My question is can you tile over laminate? I do not want to rip out the counter top and replace the whole thing, just want to update.

yes you could but that would not be the best way to do it, but if you want to you will need to rough up the counter so the thin set will hold on. but your best bet will be to take off the counters and put down a 3/4 in plywood sheet for the base..

I'm not sure this would work, but couldn't you nail a 1/4 or 1/2 inch plywood over the laminate and tile over that ?

Professionally speaking, I wouldn't tile over laminate, due to guarantees and liabilites. But as the homeowner, sure you could do it.

But, the wood for a laminate countertop is not real structurally strong. A laminate countertop can have a little bounce without hurting anything. But a tile countertop will have problems if the top has any flex to it.

So remove the top, do it properly with new lumber and hardibacker.
Or add hardibacker to the existing top, and use screws for best support, then tile on top.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Re-mdlr,

I'm with Re-mdlr: It's one of those things that can be done, but it's a really bad idea. A pro would never tile on top of laminate as the chance of failure s too high. Laminate tops are made on top of pressboard - which flexes too much and is too susceptible to moisture to act as a tile base. If you are to attempt this, the only way is to attach a backerboard to the top of the laminate and tile on top of that. Still, the best way is to remove the top and start from scratch.

While I can certainly understand a DIYer wanting to find the easiest and least expensive way there is one thing to check to make up your mind very quickly. Does your laminate top have a bullnose edge? That's where the front edge rises up a little before it curves down across the lead edge of the laminate top. If so, then forget ever trying to use the top - that bullnose will cause you more problems and make your tile install a real hack job.

Ever live in a home with tile counter tops?
There a royal pain to do something as a simple wipe down.
The grout tends to stay dirty because it's always getting wet and trash on them.
I've only done to of them for customers and both wish they had of gone with a solid top.

Hello Mljohns! Yes, you can tile over laminate with certain products. I recommend you to use Bondera Tile MatSet –is an adhesive especially created for installing tiles on countertops.
Don’t forget to tell us how did all come out! Best of luck!

I agree with joecaption.
Tile and grout on counters is just not a worthy solution in my book, anyway you lay it.

I wouldn't want a standard tile job for a kitchen counter, speaking for myself. I have seen, and done, granite tile countertops with a 1/16 inch space and 12 x 12 tile. It's a cheaper alternative to a full granite top, and has minimal grout lines. But it does take careful efforts in laying the tile to avoid highs and lows where plates and stuff would rock back and forth.

Yup, personal preference is against tile countertops. Just about impossible to get all areas of the top level and totally impossible to keep the grout lines clean and germ free.

As for putting tile on top of laminate - a complete waste of time. Sure, you can scuff up the laminate and get your tile to stick. That will last until the glue the bonds the laminate to the particle board under surface releases.

there is 1 way to install over laminate
using a tile backer board, screw it down onto the laminate every 6 inchs. with brass screws, as the di-rections suggest. IF... its wood under the laminate
but if its partical board under the laminate. no..dont do it
as others say, i think its a bad idea also.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Frodo,