How to Lay Tile Over Laminate Countertop

Use this innovative tiling system to put ceramic tile directly on top of plastic laminate, metal or wood countertops.
Home Improvement Online With www.RonHazelton.com
With over 500 hundred free DIY ideas, tips, how-to's, suggestions, and video tutorials available to help you turn your home improvement plans into finished projects. With more projects being added every month this is the go-to place for Do-It-Yourselfers & professionals alike.
Check Out Our Site: www.ronhazelton...
Follow Us On Twitter: / ronhazelton
Like Us On Facebook: / ronhazeltonhousecalls
Follow Us On Google+: plus.google.co...
View Our Pinterest: / ronhazelton
Don't Forget To Subscribe: / @ronhazelton
Transcript:
Are you tired of having to do this, shake your glue bottle to get the glue down to the tip where you need it? Well, here's a holder that'll keep the glue ready to go, when you are.
First we will choose drill bits or hole saws that are slightly larger than the necks of the glue bottles. Then we'll drill our holes, one for each glue bottle we want to hold in the rack.
Now, the necks of our glue bottles are a little bit longer than the thickness of this piece of wood, so now we're going to put a couple of feet on. Add a couple of legs and you're rocking the glue bottles and you've got the perfect storage rack?
Thanks for watching!
Now for more home improvement videos and articles, check out www.Ronhazelton.com

[@mroilcat]

About 15 years ago, I wanted to put 4 1/4 tile over formica and nobody told me I couldn't so I did it. Degreased formica, sanded w/ 60 grit palm sander, use tile glue, installed tile w/ 1/4" seams, grouted. It's been 15 years, no problems.

[@xbigshot1]

Perfect........thats the way i'd do it as well.....

[@PickleJar251]

What did you use to degrease

[@mroilcat]

@@PickleJar251 Hello...Used paint thinner, smelled like hell but dried very fast, sure there's better, but did loosen any glue left and easy to scrape off, let dry overnight...Still working

[@MarkNOTW]

Versabond?

[@mroilcat]

@@MarkNOTW Been so long, I don't remember, but that sorta sounds right. Got it at Home Depot.

[@reneesongs72]

I have done this myself, but didnt use the paper, I sanded the surface of the counter to get it a little rough, then applied the mortar, etc. Worked great! Lasted for years! About to do it again at my new house when updating my kitchen next month. It was fun and easy to do!

[@bladerubber]

Yes that's exactly what I would ve thought to do...not sure why this guy made this over complicated solution ...

[@GalacticTradingPost]

@@bladerubber underlayment is important for flooring and tiles.

[@GalacticTradingPost]

at least put a 1 or 2 foot ring of it around the sink

[@bobstone1701]

Could you list the products used for the beginners here

[@frankmiller7721]

I've watched this program for years. Lots of helpful information.

[@thehornyewok5176]

This video is just what I've been searching for

[@FireEater]

Wow you are a real artisan 👨‍🎨 Thanks for sharing gonna try it for a costumer 👍🏻

[@gloriahufnagel5556]

WAAAIT. did I really find something I could actually do.. I surely hope so!

[@tmb9126]

a ton of great information! Thank you!

[@truckingwithgerald7532]

Going to try this on old 1960s squared off laminate countertops with 12x12 granite tiles.beats paying 4500.00 for solid surface

[@davidchad77]

Gerald Howland : how did it workout?

[@DiannaAtherton]

How did it go?

[@teresajohnson3929]

Did this process work good or would you say no?

[@peggsm.7321]

Thanks so much!! Great DIY idea! Looking forward to trying a weekend project 😃

[@nb4749]

I was wondering how to redo my old countertops. I tried stone paint, but that didn't even last 2 years and took 14 days to fully cure. I was wondering if I could tile over my old counter tops. Thank you for your video.

[@Rikkcas]

To minimize the grout joints, you can also use larger format tiles or stone-- 12x12, etc. There are many types of bullnose trim you can use. The size of the joint can be smaller as well. The grout joints should all be sealed. Good video!

[@joejones2847]

Rikk Kazz not all grout has to be sealed not all tile has to be sealed. And anyone with any sense knows you can use any size tile you want. No one said anything about the number of grout joints

[@davidchad77]

Where is the best place to find bullnose trim?

[@johnqcitizen3339]

@@joejones2847 I guess if were talking about sense, grout is the weak link, less is better

[@em-vu1cs]

I saw a countertop that was tiled over with ceramic tile and they had a wood Edge so you didn't have to spend loads of money on bullnose trim

[@Rikkcas]

@@joejones2847 in 42 years in the trades the biggest complaint we saw with tile or stone installs was about grout joints. In tile, masonry, and terrazzo installations, because they can stain. As John Q said, it is one of, if not the weakest links. And yah.. all tile does not have to be sealed. Of course. It’s optional. Ceramic tile has a resistant surface. But some stone tile can be porous and can easily absorb a spill. So does unsealed concrete tile and slabs if unsealed. Red wine and such can stain light colored grout very easily if it’s not wiped up quickly. Kitchen acids can etch the grout too. It definitely doesn’t hurt for some homeowners who don’t do proper maintenance.. just saying. Nobody likes call backs for any reason. Minimizing any return visits to fix something is better for any savvy installer’s profit line. Suggesting it to a customer as an option isn’t a bad idea, especially if you explain the possible problems of poor maintenance. Having them sign off that you told them in your contract, and they declined, isn’t a bad idea either. Not everybody listens, so if you have to go back to remove stains or seal, they already signed off. You can reasonably charge for your time and service with minimal argument that way. Or else you’re doing work for free when you go back. Obviously you can use any size tile. (>etc.

[@DazieMax]

Thank you for this video. What a a great product!

[@maverickadventures723]

Love your projects! Been watching you for years.

[@cascaderiverflows]

What a difference! Thanks for sharing!

[@426superbee4]

All i did to my wooden window seals base, with silicone. Move with heat and cold, keeps from coming up. I put the silicone on the bottom of the tile and the window base, and set it wiggle some and bang it down good. Then i turn around and grouted it. Made it looked AWESOME👍 Only way to get the tile off is break it off, with a chisel. i did all my window base this way, Now going to do counter tops the same way LOT FASTER less Messy> I will never use mortar ever again.

[@FluffyMatzahBalls]

Exactly what I needed! Thank you

[@CaptainSteen]

Can you sand an rough up the formica first instead of using paper?

[@jimdavison4077]

Great new way to save time and i imagine money.

[@SuperMadhatter2]

Yesss you saved my countertop and my time!

[@mjc4942]

This is great. I want to do tile countertop and thought I had to throw away what I had.

[@phairfullymade8582]

Very nice. Making it easy

[@Bandmarie]

How do you deal with the sink area when doing this?

[@davidramey7186]

Remove sink then use the same method

[@mr.tomraypaz6085]

That tile guy kind of reminds me of Mario and the guy from the Dunkin Donuts commercials from the 1980s and early 1990s.

[@murph914]

time to do the tile

[@mr.tomraypaz6085]

Mike Murphy 🤣🤣yep.

[@woohyawn2595]

He sure does!

[@hayleezoller2006]

AMAZING!! Thanks guys

[@wg1408]

Can I use this method on my linoleum floor before installing schulter ditra?

[@inhibited44]

I made some plastic recycled tiles from harvested plastic milk jugs . Seems like a great way to use it.

[@ChauNguyen-mx9eu]

Just one word, awesome!!!!!!

[@jesssandra6069]

Great project and song

[@jaylyons254]

Bought a house with tile countertops. Nice look, but I came to hate them. Impossible to keep clean. I'll be replacing them soon and I can't wait.

[@watcherwlc53]

@Harry Knows I wonder if using larger tiles would make a difference there-- the seams would be fewer and farther between

[@joecostigan66]

Very cool idea 💡 😎

[@Xean45]

What a fun and helpful video!

[@lorilongstaff9901]

Where do you purchase fiberglass re-inforced paper?

[@micahbutler5951]

Is Amazon

[@vinci1234560]

Where can I get this fibreglass paper to buy, not seeing it on Amazon.

[@lumpyloins]

On Amazon it is called Tavy Thin-Skin 100 Sq. ft. Roll

[@vinci1234560]

@@lumpyloins I eventually found it, thanks.

[@Swenser]

Screwing and glueing down 3mm cement sheet works ok as an alternative to this. Doing a wood look plank tile with real wood trim.

[@rickzabala6020]

Does tile go over the sink? How to around out tile at sink & burners?

[@paulbriggs3072]

You could do it by sanding the laminate, applying two-part epoxy, sprinkling dry sand onto the wet epoxy, and then sweeping and vacuuming the dry sand up the next morning. The epoxy sticks to the laminate, and the sand, while the mortar will stick to the sand like sandstone. Another person in the comments got the mortar to stick to the sanded laminate. Possibly using polymer improved mortar.

[@luvluvluvluvcats]

brilliant!

[@cricketkeedy5374]

Fantastic. Thank you.

[@helenmak5663]

Are these tiles still available? Bull nose and corner pieces? I want to redo my kitchen countertop.

[@cherieellis2181]

How did he tile the edges?.

[@cup_and_cone]

Looks like a great system, but my personal opinion is tiled kitchen counters are a genuine pain to keep clean if you actually do daily cooking. They're better served as designer pieces.

[@joejones2847]

I cook every day and my kitchen is clean and tiled

[@jaylyons254]

@D Niger but grout is not

[@MisterTwister88]

Jay Lyons Epoxy grout

[@OscarHanzely]

also Tiled countertops are the thing of the past. Like this show episode .. probably early 90's :-D

[@cup_and_cone]

@D Niger You ever try wiping off salt, sugar, or flour spilled into the grout lines of tile? You pretty much need a vacuum... With a solid surface you just wipe it off. Even if you seal the grout to keep it from staining, it will never be as quick and easy to clean as a solid surface. That's just a fact.

[@woohyawn2595]

How do you install to keep level with the sink?

[@dldfarm]

Thank you ❤!!!!!

[@karenzilverberg4699]

Thanks!

[@cheniah9761]

Do you think this would work for 24 inch tiles?

[@francylunadiaz8361]

So wholesome.

[@rowdybliss]

Helpful tutorial, thanks! But could you please add a list of the products used? I want to be sure I’m getting the right things (particularly the adhesive/paper). Thank you!

[@rachaelp5967]

ARMAND FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@1operamom]

Is this surface safe to put a hot pot from the stove or oven on it? Wondering if it would pop the tiles or not?

[@joejones2847]

1operamom 100% impervious to heat its ceramic tile

[@dfinite1111]

Where are the spacers available? I also wonder if there is possible unhealthy off-gassing from the glue used? PS Armand is adorable.

[@tomm6789]

Sorry I would lightly sand the countertop,and use epoxy. Easy as hell.😀😀😀 But nice job you done.

[@426superbee4]

Screw the mortar! Use silicone, or liquid nails> put it on the bottom of the tile and surface. less messy and dries good, and it holds Excellent to wood. Now laminated or Formica, Ruff up the surf face with 40 grit sander. or tear it all off . That a lot of work

[@mroilcat]

that's a good idea! Did this work for you?

[@426superbee4]

@@mroilcat It was perfect man PERFECT. They both silicone and liquid nail tubes worked excellent! but i think i like the tube title liquid nails best. and no mixing and less mess to clean up, perfect timing to work with it to! b4 it set up! It was fun to work with, not a nightmare like mortar is and a big mess. WASTED MONEY TO it set up while i was mixing it

[@mroilcat]

@@426superbee4 That sounds really good. I used same thin mortar for floor tiles. I figured if it held floor tiles with what they put up with, the should work fine on countertop. I hardly ever dance on the counters. Hardly. Plus, that's what I had. But with new project, I'll use liquid nails. Never thought about it. It will upset grand daughter, as she thinks Paw Paw is the smartest man in the world, almost as smart as her mom...

[@426superbee4]

@@mroilcat i 'am glade it didn't set up on you, like it did me. while mixing it. i was lucky to get the mixer blade out in time BOOM IT WAS HARD AS A ROCK

[@MsJWheels]

Fantastic!

[@alanvazquez8392]

What kind of paper is that?

[@reza_dc2]

Where can i purchase one of the tiles from? I have an edge tile that broke and I need to replace it.

[@gwenb9179]

Love it

[@Niagara716]

I don't write off anything as "Outdated" until it breaks and replacement parts aren't made anymore. 😎🍻

[@LordJesusRisenFromTheDead]

What kind of paper is this and can it be bought at a local Lowes, you say?

[@AprilLovesGarden]

Where can I find the fiberglass paper?...

[@cyndinickelson3737]

Where can you by the Tavy glue and paper?

[@JohnnyH71983]

Does this work with porcelain tile?

[@sharonrice7925]

What is name of product you used

[@andreagarofolo9431]

I have a tile countertop some have cracks could get away with this? Or what do u suggest the wood underneath is kinda nasty so replacing tile is not an option.i cannot afford new counters

[@bobgillis1137]

You could make a cement countertop.

[@andreagarofolo9431]

I Will look into that thanks

[@elonmust7470]

that's cool!

[@ulisesamaro7593]

Where can I get the supplies for this project, can you list the basic 2 products?

[@tevanson1015]

Where do i purchase the adhesive and the paper

[@ThatGuy-kv1kw]

I used tile adhesive directly on the laminate...30 years ago, but I didn't have the front lip/dip

[@OscarHanzely]

that's probably the time when this video originally aired on TV :-)

[@TheMartiniDiva]

Did you rough up the laminate first?

[@dodgeramsport01]

@@OscarHanzely If you can read its was 5 years ago

[@prestonnewcomb5991]

Yes, I have an outdated countertop exactly like that one.

[@mikezieg80]

What to do at the kitchen sink?

[@marezeedo]

Love this video! Thus maybe my answer to my problem. We bought IKEA cabinets about 15 yrs ago. The cabinets are fiberboard with sort of a plastic or vinyl coating ontop. Over the years, it has small nicks in it and looks awful. Will your paper work on this application? I was worried about moisture from your glue seeping into these holes & causing the fiberboard to swell. Also, where do we get this paper? I’ve been to Lowes and local tile store and they’ve never heard of it. I would so appreciate any info you may have for my dilemma. Marlyn from California

[@MariaMunoz-ld7xd]

Amazon gas it

[@waynelle_b4850]

You can actually order it from lowes but they only carry it online

[@cathylambert64]

Where can I get fiberglass reinforced paper?

[@hungvu8480]

Would you please let me know where to buy that type of paper and glue? Thank you

[@quiquileroux7856]

I found it on Amazon

[@hungvu8480]

Thanks

[@ricanchick1234]

Would this work on flooring as well??

[@Thiseffinguyhere]

Since one of the related videos is "how to apply ceramic tile to laminate flooring", I'm guessing yes

[@MarkNOTW]

Use Custom MBP primer and Flexbond mortar.

[@MariaMunoz-ld7xd]

Would the mortar stick if I accidently spill glue on top of the paper?

[@DiannaAtherton]

I had a pile of cement board that did not get moved in time of a days rain. It got wet. Is it still usable

[@Pleiadian.Soul.33]

Where can I get this product

[@EliteClinicalResearch]

Would this work on a laminate backsplash?

[@Guardducks]

Thanx Armand.

[@qhpainters]

I used to see his picture on the bags of tile spacers

[@rl4899]

Fantasti!!!

[@bayareatrucking]

Where was this video before I tore down all my kitchen and restroom counter tops.😢😢

[@garrisonjones9340]

So, where do you purchase this fiberglass Reenforced paper at?

[@deniselong9749]

Did you ever get a answer?

[@thomasdemarco617]

what do you do on side edge

[@patrickarchuleta9594]

What kind of paper did you use on the laminate.

[@tammanyfields3583]

How would you do this if you have a curved counter that is curved from one corner to the other?

[@deniselong9749]

What's the name of the paper?

[@madcowusa4277]

Love neutral colored laminate counters as they can last 50+ years using common sense. Easy to clean and sterilize too. Occasionally I'll get a dumb ass renter that uses them as a cutting board or cigarette extinguisher, but they get charged to replace. Laminate counters with high end tile back splash - best of both worlds.

[@gageschultz6019]

You don't need a mallet just collapse your trowel lines like so many don't and you'll have a more solid job. You don't want air pockets especially with floor applications. Nice invention though I like it.

[@joejones2847]

Ace S the trowel lines are the purpose of using a notched trowel. It allows your tile to float a little and you to mash them so to speak until they are all even. Making it solid with no lines as you say means it will sit at the same level or not level as the surface under them.

[@robynbloem7838]

Where do I get this?

[@mightbebatman3659]

Does this paper peel up after several years of use? I'm worried it won't be durable?

[@GarlandRentalsllc]

not sure...I wondered the same...he said it was fiberglass lined though...so I doubt there will be any issues!!

[@joejones2847]

How can it peel up? It’s adhered permanently to the laminate and The tile and mortar sandwich it in there the tile and mortar would have to peel off first. The answer is no once it’s down it’s down. It’s not just paper it’s like a paper version of the concrete backerboard

[@missprissy59]

I couldnt understand what the product he applied on the fiberglass paper. Whats the name of it?

[@mcraft1181]

Thinset mortar called Versabond. Go to 3:21 and you'll see him getting it out of the van

[@shiraleepettit6466]

Hi I live in the UK and I would like to buy some of your tile spacers. Please can you tell me if it is possible to buy them Thank you in advance

[@joejones2847]

Shiralee Pettit yes Lowe’s sells them and Home Depot

[@joejones2847]

Shiralee Pettit I’ll even ship some if you can’t buy from them

[@DiannaAtherton]

Hey we have them at our Lowes here in texas

[@valclub479]

Cool.

[@truthteller7702]

*Armond is extremely intelligent, and skilled. What is the name and contract information for his company ?

[@OscarHanzely]

You realized that this episode originally aired probably in 90's and the guy may be long retired now ?

[@Shyb0nes]

First level of mortar is unnecessary if the surface is already level can you start working directly on top of paper and save hours of time?

[@joejones2847]

Shyb0nes how do you know??? He invented the system. The first layer of mortar wasn’t what it is normally used for. It was to acclimate the paper if you listened closely. That means it gets the paper wet with a minimal amount of mortar and allow it to dry so they paper doesn’t tear apart or stay wet

[@azmendozafamily]

Watching the video again, it was also used to fill in the space created by the bullnose on the edge of the laminate countertop.

[@darling1045]

@@joejones2847 yeah, but he used a much thicker layer on the front that will take longer to dry...if your counter is flat, could you just do a very thin layer and let it dry for an hour or so before final tiling?

[@johnnhoj15]

Soooo let me get this straight... You want to save a few hours by skipping a step on a job that will literally last you over 20 years? You are an a** clown.

[@farzadhamid7357]

It looks like the old man was invited for dinner, but the host asked him "hey what about if you this before we feed you"

[@SalemHeatingandCooling]

Nice

[@dsmith3471]

Is the little guy free this weekend I got a living room that needs tiling

[@portiad9287]

What is the name of the adehsive used for the fibre glass.?

[@OscarHanzely]

Considering this episode is at least 20 years old, the little guy may be retired now.

[@KMF3]

Why don't you just sand down the laminate countertop? Wouldn't that do the same thing? It seems like a lot of work to do it this way. And a lot of extra expense with these products