600 x 600 Porcelain tiles on a worktop

[Shultzy]

Shows some of us have a "seance" of humour :smilewinkgrin:

 

[kendo1]

Have you decided on the worktop?

 

[Shultzy]

Yes, porcelain tiles, remember, my wife wears the trousers in the kitchen :mad2:

 

[kendo1]

OK
What is the base/substrate

 

[Shultzy]

I'm looking at 18mm MDF + 12mm MDF + 6mm cement board

 

[kendo1]

MDF is not a good substrate. I'd think about exterior ply.

 

[Shultzy]

Ok, 18mm exterior ply + 12mm exterior ply + 6mm cement board.

 

[kendo1]

That would work. Quite deep when you add it all together including adhesive and tile.
You realise the amount of work involved, and it would be cheaper and less labour intensive using a worktop?

I'm still trying to put you off!

You need to seal the underside of the ply.

 

[Shultzy]

I think about 51mm.

"You need to seal the underside of the ply." with what and why?

"it would be cheaper and less labour intensive using a worktop" you mean the normal formica covered chipboard!

 

[kendo1]

Look at the recommendations of the adhesive you will be using. It should mention a primer or sealer. The ply expands and contracts with moisture, so stop the moisture getting to the underside and sides of the ply. You normally don't seal the top surface as the adhesive does not adhere as well.

 

[kendo1]

There is another solution:

You could get another wife...

 

[Shultzy]

I won't be putting adhesive on the top ply as I'll be using the backer board.

 

[kilty55]

not a choice i would be choosing ,what about a standard worktop?

 

[kendo1]

Been ther already, Jamie.

 

[nybor62]

there are thousands of tilers on this forum, and i bet not 1 as a tiled work surface
simple answer its not that practical imo

 

[Mike]

there are thousands of tilers on this forum, and i bet not 1 as a tiled work surface
simple answer its not that practical imo

probably right rob, i wouldn't have one. even with epoxy grout the dirt will build up in the joints, you'd have to clean the joints all the time.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Thanks all, but what about my questions?

I answered your question but you would rather believe a salesman from Porcelanosa than the advice printed on the boxes of polished porcelain supplied by a retail outlet selling them. Certain Porcelain tiles are NOT suitable for food preparation areas.
I've had 3 different kitchens over the years with tiled worktops - all high fired/mosaic/glazed - and the only issue being the grouting (discolouration) and in the right setting they look the business IMHO.
Now if you find a tile that is suitable for worktops (and they tend to be expensive with edges/corners etc) you will require a flexible adhesive with epoxy grout.
Done correctly it is a specialist job.

 

[Shultzy]

timeless john, thanks for your info. I saw the tiles in B&Q which said "NOT suitable for food preparation areas" which is what prompted these discussions. I've been to 4 different tiling firms and they all say that porcelain is the way to go and a few did say not all are suitable. When swimbo decides what tiles she wants I will investigate the suitability.

 

[John Benton]

There is another solution:

You could get another wife...

Probably cheaper getting the tiled worktop. As my friends ex-wife used to say, 'I didn't marry him for his money, I divorced him for it!'

 

[Shultzy]

I write this reply as it's 10 years since I had these porcelain floor tiles fitted as a work surface. There have been no issues and no staining on either the tiles or the epoxy grout.