Covering ceramic tile countertop

Question

I have ceramic tile countertops. I hate them. I am trying to come up with some way to cover them without removing them on the cheap. I was wondering.....is it possible to pour self leveling paint/cement over the tile to 'fill-in' the grount lines and leave a level smooth surface? If not, has anyone ever tried the countertop restoration products over ceramic tile?

Bpnnie · Answer

Hi Shellie, you could try pour cement over them. Cement can be tinted and stenciled. Than you put a poly over it. Give it a thought. They even have a self leveling cement. Very popular doing this. Good Luck!

Designs by BSB · Answer

removing and putting in laminate tops would be worth every penny.. and not be nearly the headaches!

3po3 · Answer

I agree with @Designs by BSB (I often do). I think your best bet for a new countertop is replacing with laminate. It's inexpensive and a fairly easy DIY job (seems easier than pouring cement over tile, anyway).

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Why not just refurbish them by painting and redoing the grout? While this is not the best thing to do long term as the tops can be worn if not properly maintained or used with care. You can change the color and make the entire kitchen look different in just a long weekend. 
Anything else on the cheap will end up costing you much more and because it will be cheap, you may not like what you end up with and what you do not end up with in your back pocket. Which is money. Any counter project can cost you a lot if your thinking of changing materials or altering the existing materials that you already have installed. Paint is the lowest cost method you can do.

Jeanette S · Answer

Oh am I ever so glad I did not jump on the white tile counter top craze that was going around. Of all the surfaces I have had in over 50 years of home ownership, laminate is my favorite. It is not pourous--a big plus for avoiding contamination...a really big thing for me...it is durable and it does not cost the price of a small country to change out. To me a kitchen is a work place...not a fine piece of furniture so I do not get excited over fancy in a kitchen. In fact, the old farmhouse style kitchens are the most attractive to me! To each his own!

KMS Woodworks · Answer

I have replaced crappy old tile with 'new and improved' tile. One of my favorites is very large granite tile with a bull nosed edge. When done with small 1/8' grout lines ( or even smaller 1/16' it looks a lot like granite slab.

Mary Insana · Answer

Go to this site and see what you think. I've never used it but have hear nothing but good things about the cabinet and counter top kits. http://rustoleumtransformations.com/tile/

Patty Fyke · Answer

I have the same problem so I am looking on what ideas people are giving you.

Shellie · Answer

For anyone still looking for a solution like this, we used http://www.encorecountertop.com/ concrete kit. It turned out amazing, no more grout lines!

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Shellie, I looked at the web site, and the product looks pretty good. However based upon its application which is painting, how does this cover over grout? The product does not appear to be a filler of any kind, only a surface laid material. Or did I miss something? Thanks.

Shellie · Answer

It is actually multiple layers of thin concrete that you trowel on and smooth out. I think by the second 'primer' grit coat the grout had been completely filled in and the surface was level. You would now never know we had grout lines on the flat surface. The bullnose and backsplash was not as perfect. A few spots that we didnt coat well have the slightest divots still, but that was our fault.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Thanks!

Mary Insana · Answer

I just painted and stained a small countertop that doesn't get exposed to moisture. It turned out OK.. I wish I would have known about this stuff, but then again, no retailers in PA. I jst re-did a whole wall in my dining room that used to have wall to wall mirrors. I'll post pictures of the complete project when I put the doors to the cabinets back on

Maria Basilio · Answer

Hi Shellie. My husband and I are working on refinishing our kitchen countertop tiles (exactly like yours) using skimstone by The Rudd Company same manufacturer of the encore kit. How was your experience with the bonding primer? We are having a difficult time applying it on the tile. I was wondering if you have any tips. We are very close to giving up on this project.

Shellie · Answer

Don't give up!! The primer is weird. It looks like it is going to ruin it, going on chunky and uneven, but after the next coat or two it evens it all out. We felt the same way!

IDA · Answer

Covered my tile countertop (mexican tile) with a concrete resurfacer. Made to go over existing concrete. The stuff is cheap, used less than one box that cost $8.00. Added concrete dye, $3.00.  Stir  resurfacer and dry concrete dye together then  add small amount water till like pancake batter.Trowel onto tile, then use squeege and spray bottle of water to level and smooth. Use gloves, and apply by hand to edges. Dries quickly keep wet until satisfied with how it looks.  When dry it looks like soapstone.  I used 5 different colors that I dabbed on to create pattern that looks like granite then covered with resin. Everyone thinks it is granite, shines beautifully.  Whole job cost less than $30.

IDA · Answer

Have used the Rustoleum countertop paint in several apartments. Looked great when I finished, but does not hold up to use. Even when I did 3 coats of marine grade polyurethane, and a bonding primer. Not worth the effort. Difficult to repaint. Do not recomend

Carol Doucette · Answer

IDA how is your concrete countertop holding up?

Zara1305 · Answer

I was thinking about grouting the whole thing to cover the grooves plus tile, then sand to a real fine finish but not sure after that. I also HATE the tile squares especially as a kitchen counter top. I did cover with mosaic tile and it looked real good but did not hold up to the heat when I put hot dishes from the oven on, the glass cracks, it also had grout and was constantly having to scrub, I got it all chipped off but now need another solution. I have an old house and it is not worth investing much more money into for new.

Shellie · Answer

@Zara- If you can't tell from the picture, we did cover ceramic tile with the Encore Kit. It worked like a charm, made the end surface completely smooth.

Ban305766 · Answer

I've got a situation.  I have a lot of countertop space & not much money.  My countertops are 2'x2' tile and are all falling off.  I am more than willing along with my husband to put the time & effort into them to save some money.  Besides I love remodeling.  When we did our kitchen walls we took our time and researched to make sure they would come out great.  I would like to do the same thing with my countertops.  Please also keep in mind I kind of need something durable for I am a KLUTC.  Does anyone have any advice?  I am desperate!!!!!!!!

Stacey Beck · Answer

I like ceramic tile, I just want new ceramic tile that is a little more up to date. Can I just put it over what I have now or do I need to remove that first. I don't do these kind of projects often as you can probably tell. http://www.house-of-floors.com/prodcat.aspx?Id=3&page=27913

Granite Direct · Answer

Yes you can do it yourself, all you need is to take the correct measurements of countertop . We recently replace our old countertop with granite. http://coloradogranite.com

Leslie · Answer

You might look into this....http://www.sarahsbigidea.com/2013/09/faux-crete-counters-from-scratch/ They use ardex feather finish. Here is another link too. http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2013/07/diy-concrete-countertops.html

Samantha · Answer

What if you like the look of the tile but would like to just somehow fill the grout and make the surface level. Can you do resin?

Mike Conroy · Answer

I've done several countertops using Rescue and Resurface countertop resurfacing kits. I'm actually going to be resurfacing another tile countertop next week. I clean the countertop float out grout lines x 2, sand smooth, prime paper, top coat x 2 with Duraseal. Super durable and beautiful. Www.papertransformations.com www.stoneybrookpaper.com. A lot of before and after pictures on Stoney Brook's Facebook page.

Samantha · Answer

Thanks for the info!

Samantha · Answer

No I haven't tried this yet....was unsure if it would work.

Susan · Answer

I applied some grout to a small section of my countertop. I waited for it to dry and then I sanded it. It was not smooth. Do I need to reply more and as it builds up it will become smoother?

Johnavallance82 · Answer

Hi,

You could get your counters covered over with a new top. Look for companies that do this near to you.

Covering ceramic tile countertop

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Covering ceramic tile countertop

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