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Tiling on MDF?

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Scallywag

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I've had more success here with responses than the DIY, so here it goes...

 

A buddy of mine just got a free bar and wants to tile a shelf in it that's made of MDF. I told him to cut the MDF shelf out and use 3/4 ply instead but he says no go. So, if he has to use the MDF, is there a mastic or thinset you guys could recommend? Or something better? I explained this issues to him with the MDF (swelling, warping, flexing etc.) and I suggested he waterproof it prior to laying tile on it. Not sure there is a product he can use to do so without compromising the MDF or the adhesion of the thinset/mastic/glue. To me, waterptoofing in some way is a must being its a bar and drinks will be spilled.

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Originally Posted by Scallywag84 View Post

I've had more success here with responses than the DIY, so here it goes...

A buddy of mine just got a free bar and wants to tile a shelf in it that's made of MDF. I told him to cut the MDF shelf out and use 3/4 ply instead but he says no go. So, if he has to use the MDF, is there a mastic or thinset you guys could recommend? Or something better? I explained this issues to him with the MDF (swelling, warping, flexing etc.) and I suggested he waterproof it prior to laying tile on it. Not sure there is a product he can use to do so without compromising the MDF or the adhesion of the thinset/mastic/glue. To me, waterptoofing in some way is a must being its a bar and drinks will be spilled.



A better solution would be 1 piece of marble/granite.



No grout lines to worry about & simple adhesion to the MDF


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Two things work against tiling a MDF shelf.

 

Deflection, the shelf deflects and tile will pop or crack. If it's solid enough not to deflect, the mastic sold today is a water based product, MDF is a sponge. It will likely fail.

 

There are all sorts constructs I can conjure up that might work, a solid material like Corian, stone, or will cost less in the end (do it once).

 

 

:v:

"I came into this world naked, screaming at the top of my lungs, and covered in someone else's blood. I got no problem leaving it that way."
Who can hope to be safe? Who sufficiently cautious? Guard himself as he may, every moment's an ambush. Horace

 

 

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The one piece top like granite, corian, whatever is great but is not cheap and he can't do it himself. I agree, one drink spilled isn't going to hurt anything but MDF degrades over time with normal ambient humidity... It definitely doesn't need help. Obviously, this thing is gonna be there a long time. No sense in doing it half assed.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Scallywag84 View Post

The one piece top like granite, corian, whatever is great but is not cheap and he can't do it himself. I agree, one drink spilled isn't going to hurt anything but MDF degrades over time with normal ambient humidity... It definitely doesn't need help. Obviously, this thing is gonna be there a long time. No sense in doing it half assed.



Dependent upon the shelf size,  I would imagine a remnant piece from a job could be had rather inexpensively. I would suggest phoning various stone fabricators with your shelf's dimensions & inquire about left-over/remnant pieces. 


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Done deal, shag it is!

 

I think he's gonna wind up going with bass-o's suggestion. Its probably the easiest most feasible method.

 

I'm gonna shoot over there sunday to take a look to see what the best option is as far as ripping the whole piece out or layering over it.

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Get the 3/8" rockboard and put that on the MDF. Tile on top of that. Put a piece of wood trim on the exposed edge of the shelf to cover the MDF/rockboard. Use a metal edge strip for the edge of the tile at the exposed end of the shelf. Done. Solid. No Worries.

 

Hardie backer would work well too. Might be thinner than the 3/8" rockboard.

"Depend not on fortune, but on conduct."

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