600 x 600 Porcelain tiles on a worktop - Tile Advice

[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