How to Install Mosaic Stone Tile Over Laminate
Unlike traditional tile work that is laid out in a grid formation, mosaic tile work allows for creative design. There are endless possibilities for creating patterns and imagery with irregular and fragmented mosaic stone tiles. Mosaics of small square stone tiles can also be constructed in a grid pattern. Mosaic tile can be installed on most surfaces, including laminate; however a laminate counter must be properly abraded to assure proper adhesion of the tile. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Electric sander
- 50-grit sandpaper
- Safety glasses
- Dust mask
- Rags
- Tiles
- Tile nipper
- Pencil or marker
- Thinset mortar
- Notched trowel
- Tile grout
- Trowel or rubber float
- Grout sealer
- Small paintbrush
- Water-resistant caulk
- Caulk gun
Instructions
-
-
1
Abrade the laminate by sanding it with a course, 50-grit sandpaper. Use an electric sander to ensure adequate and consistent abrasion. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when sanding. Vacuum or sweep up the resulting sanding dust. Use a damp rag to wipe residual dust from the countertop.
-
2
Cut your stone tiles and plan your design. Cut ceramic tiles with a tile nipper and always wear safety glasses when cutting tile. Sand sharp edges with sandpaper or a tile file. Chunks of broken glass or ceramic can also be used. If you wish to cut glass, use a wheel glass cutter. All sorts of other materials can be used in mosaic, in addition to stone tile, including glass beads, mirrored elements and stones. Pre-cut ceramic and vitreous or smalti glass tiles can be purchased. Use a pencil or marker to roughly draw out the design on the counter. Lay the design out on the counter beforehand to ensure a good fit before permanently adhering the tiles.
-
-
3
Spread a roughened layer of thinset mortar on the counter, using a notched trowel. Embed the tiles in the mortar, following your design. Allow the mortar to cure for one day.
-
4
Fill in between the tiles with tile grout. Tile grout comes in a wide variety of colors. Use a grout that complements the color palette of your design. Use a trowel or a rubber float to work the grout into the seams and to smooth it down at the surface. Wipe excess grout from the tiles using a damp rag or cloth. Leave the grout to cure overnight.
-
5
Seal the grout with grout sealer. Paint grout sealer onto the grout with a small paintbrush. For porous, unsealed stone tile, apply a stone sealer to the whole surface of the project, including the grout.
-
6
Use a water-resistant caulk to seal any counter edges that are prone to water seepage, such as where the backsplash meets the wall.
-
1
