Can I Cover Tile Flooring With Masonite?

What is Masonite

• Masonite, named after its inventor, William H. Mason, is a term to describe hardboard. While the primary material used in Masonite is wood, this type of hardboard is manufactured by breaking down wood into fibers and then rearranging these fibers to create a much stronger type of wood. Although chemicals are added to certain forms of Masonite to enhance various properties such as water resistance of strength, Masonite does not utilize chemical binders. The wood is held together by isolating lignin, an organic compound found in wood, and combining it with cellulose.

Prepping the Tile

• Because Masonite is smooth, you must prep the tiles to ensure the hardboard will bond with the tile. To do so, attach 40 to 60 grit sandpaper to a palm sander. Working in 2-by-2-feet sections, sand the tile to roughen the surface. Do not use excessive pressure or you may break or crack the tile. After the entire tiled surface is prepped, use a damp wash cloth to remove any debris from the surface of the tile. Allow the tiles to completely dry before installing the Masonite.

Installation

• To secure Masonite boards to tile, attach the boards using an epoxy-based adhesive. Because adhesives dry quickly, work in 2-by-2 foot sections. While this may create seams within the floor, it ensures the boards are laid before the adhesive dries. Apply a liberal amount of adhesive directly to the tile surface. Allow the adhesive to rest for 30 seconds, then firmly press the section of Masonite wood into the adhesive. Press the board into the floor for 60 seconds before moving on. Do not walk on newly installed Masonite floor for at least 24 hours so the adhesive can bond the tile and hardboard together.

Considerations

• While installing Masonite directly on top of tile may be a quick fix, it may not be the ideal remodeling job for heavy-traffic areas. Because of the installation process, the underlying tiles are destroyed. Thus, if you want to use these tiles for future remodeling or building projects, remove the tiles before laying the Masonite boards.