Granite Tile Countertops over Laminate - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

c5150b · 04-01-2007, 11:03 AM

I was told to post this in the tile section so here goes:

Need some advice on installing granite tiles over laminate existing counter. I will use wood trim to cap it all in but my question is can you go over laminate, if you rough it first?
Saw on a "flip" show once where they set the circular saw shallow and just scored it before laying a tile counter top. Will this work? Looking for a way not to have to cut new template. thanks

Mike Finley · 04-01-2007, 11:12 AM

You've posted this like 4 times now.

Yes, you can do exactly what you are proposing. Is it recommended by most tradesman? No.

Do some people do it? Yes.

Why do some people not do it? Because they want to produce a consistent and guaranteed high quality product and don't feel you can do that without a tear out. They are consider the relatively small amount of time and material required to tear out and reinstall a bullet proof base time well spent in the long run, versus the relatively small amount of time and material saved not doing it.

Can you do what you want to do? Yes.

The one exception would be I would definitely not recommend cutting the top with a skill saw. Doing that is going to expose the particleboard under the laminate and if water eventually gets down to that someday it will most likely swell and cause problems. If you are going to do it, just rough sand the laminate. The tip about Red Guard is probably a good idea.

You should learn the one imporatant rule - anything shown on a flip show is either wrong, a lie, edited, or made up because it is good TV.

PrecisionFloors · 04-01-2007, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Finley

You should learn the one imporatant rule - anything shown on a flip show is either wrong, a lie, edited, or made up because it is good TV.

AMEN!! Some of the crap I see on those shows slays me.
Contractors take a beating amongst homeowners because we are so "expensive" and everybody has a story about some job that was done shoddy. Imo DIYers do some of the ****tiest work on the planet, all to save a nickel. I always ask them how much will it cost to do it your way two or even three times? I bet my one way is cheaper and the finished product will be something you can be proud of.

Cheap, Good, Fast.

Pick two.

woodmagman · 04-01-2007, 02:51 PM

I have not found a mortar base thin set, either modified or not, that has plastic laminate as it base for installation. You do not know if the laminate is going to stay adhered to its substrate. And particle board is not a recommended substrate. Can it be done, yes? Should it be done, no? Following the basic guidelines set out by the manufactures of the products that you are using is a must if you wish to warranty your work for any time longer then it takes to cash the cheque. You sound like a customer who keeps asking the same question until he gets the answer he want to here. ( this type of customers gets what he asks for, from uninformed wanabes..) Build it right so someone else does not have to fix your problems.....

c5150b · 04-01-2007, 04:43 PM

thanks sounds like I'll be doing a full tear out. good info..

kls72sm · 11-29-2007, 09:59 PM

Let Go Home. See Ya :}

Bill_Vincent · 11-29-2007, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Yes, you can do exactly what you are proposing. Is it recommended by most tradesman? No.

Do some people do it? Yes.

That's about as well put as it gets.

As for tile on television, I've been "in the trade" since before I could walk. Literally. My father and grandfather were both contractors. Matter of fact, my grandfather was the very first customer to order material from Laticrete when they first opened in 1956. One way or the other, I've watched shows showing tile installations since Bob Vila was doing them on PBS in the mid 70's. During all this time-- some 30 some odd years-- I've yet to see a SINGLE SHOW where the installation was done properly. Just last week, I was real hopeful-- Holmes on Homes-- they were doing a Kerdi shower. I thought MAYBE I'd see my first show that was done right!! Nope-- they used Ditra for the shower pan. Oh well. Atleast he DID use thinset!!