How to Replace Formica Countertops With Tile

Adding tile to Formica updates a kitchen.

Replacing worn Formica countertops with tile generally requires removing the old countertop and replacing the countertop with treated plywood and cement backer board, as the slick nature of Formica does not allow mortar to bond to the countertop. There is another option when you want to install tile directly to a Formica surface on a tight budget. This option eliminates mortar from contacting the Formica's surface and does not require nails to puncture the water barrier created by the laminate surface.

Things You'll Need

• 100-grit sandpaper
• Household cleaner
• Clean rags
• Solvent-based thin set adhesive
• 1/8-inch v-notched trowel
• Fiberglass reinforced paper
• Utility knife
• 6-inch metal putty knife or spackling blade
• Mixed mortar
• 40 inch long straightedge
• Rubber mallet
• Tile spacers
• Mixed grout
• Rubber float
• Sponge
• Water-filled plastic bucket

Instructions

1. Sand the Formica countertop with 100-grit sandpaper to reduce the slickness of the material.

2. Apply household cleaner to the sanded countertop to remove contaminants from the Formica. Wipe the household cleaner from the countertop with a clean rag. Allow the countertop to dry.

3. Apply solvent-based thin set adhesive to the prepared countertop with a 1/8-inch v-notched trowel.

4. Cut a length of fiberglass reinforced paper to a length slightly longer than the width and thickness of the countertop. Set the piece of fiberglass reinforced paper into the thin set adhesive.

5. Pull a 6-inch metal putty knife along the surface of the fiberglass paper to remove air bubbles and excess adhesive from between the paper and surface of the countertop. Cover the entire surface of the Formica countertop with fiberglass paper as described.

6. Coat the covered countertop with a thin layer of mortar. Spread the mortar with a 6-inch metal putty knife.

7. Set the 40-inch long straightedge onto the wet mortar. Drag the straightedge along the countertop to remove the slightly rais4d drip edge located on the forward edge of the countertop.

8. Groove the wet mortar with a 1/8-inch v-notched trowel.

9. Apply mortar to the inside of the bull nose tiles. Press the "buttered" bull nose tiles onto the front edge of the countertop.

10. Coat each tile needed on the countertop with mortar. Set each coated tile onto the countertop. Align the tiles as needed and set each tile by lightly tapping the tile with a rubber mallet. Place a tile spacer in each tile joint to keep the tiles spaced evenly.

11. Allow the set tiles to cure for 24-hours. Remove the tile spacers after the 24 hour period.

12. Apply mixed grout to the surface of the tile with a rubber float. Turn the float on one edge to work the grout into the open spaces between each tile.

13. Clean grout from the tiled surface with a sponge dampened in a water-filled plastic bucket. Rinse the sponge and change the water frequently while cleaning the grout from the tile. Continuing wiping until the haze from the grout is removed from the surface of the tile.

Tips & Warnings

• Wearing latex or rubber gloves will eliminate the rash that can develop while applying grout to cured tile.

References

• Ron Hazelton's HouseCalls: How to Tile Over Laminate Countertop
• RemodelingCenter.com: Laminate Countertops Q&A