Plywood base for worktop.

[conny]

I'm building a tiled worktop for a kitchen island and using 9mm, hardwood faced, plywood for the base. On top of this I am laying 300mm x 300mm porcelain tiles, (6mm thick if I recall correctly).

There will be no taps/sink fitted in the island. It will basically be a food prep area used for cutting veg, peeling, mixing etc. I am planning on using a waterproof adhesive and waterproof grout to finish. Do I need to seal the plywood surface first?

I will be fitting a 90º edging strip to cover the edge of the plywood but did think about giving the edge a coat of pva beforehand as an additional protection.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

I would say seal it. Grout isn't always 100% and kitchens tend to have water splashed over them from time to time, so it won't harm to give ot a bit more protection

 

[^woody^]

Wouldn't you need a flexible perimeter seal to the edge strip, not grout? Or at least between the edge strip and ply.

 

[conny]

Wouldn't you need a flexible perimeter seal to the edge strip, not grout? Or at least between the edge strip and ply.

Do you mean something like a bead of silicone along the edge of the ply?

 

[^woody^]

If you are fitting a timber edge trim flush with the tiles, the grout will crack against it.

If you are willing to accept that, you'll need to guard against moisture getting in it.

 

[foxhole]

Needs 18mm ply minimum, 9mm will flex and release tiles .6mm tile is a little thin for top anything heavy dropped is likely to crack them.

Untitled

• foxhole
• 27 Jun 2014
• 2

Used 10mm tile (60x60)on top of old worktop many years ago which worked well , butted together with a bead of clear silicon , no grout, more hygienic surface .

 

[conny]

If you are fitting a timber edge trim flush with the tiles, the grout will crack against it.

If you are willing to accept that, you'll need to guard against moisture getting in it.

It's a plastic trim edge. Will that be ok?

 

[justigator]

As foxhole has said, 9mm ply sounds far too thin. Also bear in mind that porcelain tiles are heavy, so that's quite a load even before you start tenderising steaks on the worktop.

 

[conny]

Think I'll put a second layer on top at 90 degrees.
Thanks guys.

 

[opps]

Consider epoxy grout (non- white). It will not stain with cooking oils etc.

Mapei do about 14 different colours.

KERAPOXY

Two-component, high-performance, anti-acid epoxy mortar and adhesive with no vertical slip for laying and grouting ceramic tiles and stone material. TECHNICAL DATA: Pot life of mix: 45 minutes. Open time: 30 minutes. Set to light foot traffic: approx. 24 hours. Ready for use: 4 days. After 10 days,…

www.mapei.com

It is very sticky stuff, so look for youtube vids of working with epoxy grout.