Tiling on MDF

[frenchman96]

Hi Guys

My daughter has just had a new kitchen fitted, and as she wanted cooker hob in corner (fussy woman) we had to make a studded wall and we used MDF.

What is the correct way to tile on to MDF please, and does it need to be treated first with anything.

[dewaltdisney]

It is not an ideal substrate at all for tiling. I would suggest fixing some thin plasterboard over the MDF and tile on that.

DWD

[wine~o]

Though there are products (names of which escape me) that claim to be able to "seal" MDF before tiling..

Another thing looking at the pic..Isn't that Gas hob a bit close to the MDF ???

[royaloakcarpentry]

I don't know why they say that you can't tile onto MDF.....(not a suitable background), because the jobs I have ripped out which have been tiled over MDF have been right cnuts to do.

The tiles stick like 5hit.

Prime with a suitable primer to match the adhesive.

[happy handyman]

Hi, If the MDF is not moving about and is primed it can be tiled on. Seal the MDF with Polycell DampSeal ( or similar ) and then use a good quality adhesive such as MAPEI Keraquick rapidset flexible S1 adhesive, although I'm sure other places sell similar adhesives.

[frenchman96]

Hi Lads

I get the picture, seems like ply would have been better, but too late now.

It sounds like two solutions from you guys.
A) cover it with thin plaster board, ply or similar.
B)use the correct primer and adhesive, then tile onto the MDF.

In the meantime, and once I have filled in the join etc, can I paint the board with anything that will prevent moisture penetrating. Was thinking gloss paint, or will that affect applying the primer and adhesive

I am asking all above, as there is a delay before above can be done.

[happy handyman]

Don't paint with gloss ! It will be a bad idea.....would just find a piece of scrap ply as a temporary fix with a few screws....

[Megaross]

First off you're gonna have to move it back from the hob, as it stands that's a serious fire hazard.

[haveagohero]

As long as the tiles aren't 20mm slate it will be fine, prime it with SBR and use cement based adhesive. If it were a shower room my advice would be different but its not a big area and its only a splashback

[frenchman96]

Hi Guys

I have decided to put THIN ply on top of mdf mentioned, then tile to that.

So, to tile on the ply, do I need a particular adhesive.

And the pic is an optical illusion, the hob is no nearer than usual, and it will end up with tiles.

[haveagohero]

SPF would be your best bet. Check priming spec on the adhesive bag before you start, some manufacturers spec that ply should be primed on the back and edges, some prime the face, some no priming at all

[frenchman96]

Thanks Hero

Is the product known by those letters, or is it an abbreviation for something?

[frenchman96]

Hero

Just Googled for product and it sounds good, but I could not reason why they make this suggestion on their site (manufacturer of product)

Wallboards; fibre/cement, plywood, plasterboard, MDF
The board must be securely braced and fixed with screws at least every 300 mm. Prime the reverse face and edges of plywood with weber AD250 before fixing.