www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Hi, I'm going to tile the splashback areas in the kitchen. A previous owner had covered all the walls in a plastic cladding (very securely fixed with no movement) which I had planned on covering with ply before tiling.. Could I possibly tile straight on to the cladding if I roughened up the surface? Any advice would be most welcome.. Thanks Tina

I wouldn't risk it, the adhesive may well not be secure.

It would be possible to screw expanded aluminium mesh to the cladding. That would hold the adhesive.

I don't think it is a good idea due to contraction and expansion.

You could always check with the adhesive manufacturers and see what they say, but I think the answer will be no.

So thats a 'no' to the easiest solution..
I definately can't take the cladding off as it has a large no of cupboards fixed on to it.. Also where the previous owner had left an area 'un cladded' it shows a bit of a nightmare best left alone.. We had to remove three layers of tiles down to black mortar and brick when we did the bathroom, and realy don't fancy that again..
I was going to use ply, but have noticed several people on here mention a 'tiling board'.. what thicknesses does it come in and what exactly is it?? Would I be able to fix it to the cladding with glue and screws? and how do you prepare the board surface for tilling??
Thanks for any advice, Tina

Cut out the cladding and dot and dab plasterboard in place........or Hardibacker from Topps tiles. Comes in 6mm and 12mm. 6mm will be fine, and this can be stuck into place using a flexible floor adhesive

If this plastic cladding is as well fixed as you say and it is really that impossible to remove, then I suggest fixing some Wedi, Lux or Marmox extruded foam tile backer board on, then tiling. 6mm board

Thanks for your help.. The tile backing board isn't easy to get hold of, I've phoned several builders and tiling companies.. Only one company so far have Hardibacker in stock at nearly £19.00 for 1500 x 900 - 6mm... is that an average price?
Tina

Hi, ust an update.. we drilled and fixed the cement tile backer board through the plastic cladding - also used no nails just to be extra safe.. The surface was secure and great to tile to!!

well done, that looks great