How to Build Tile Counter Tops

Tiling you kitchen or bath counter tops not only adds beauty to your room, but creates counters that are easy to maintain. You can choose from an endless supply of color, shape, size and material. Stone is dramatic, while ceramic is neat and clean--you can even go with a sleek slate. The trick to great counter tops that will last forever is all in the preparation and decking. Take your time and make sure you have all the makings for some sandwiches because this project will take about three days.

Instructions

1

Measure your area. Standard counter tops are 25 inches deep, but be sure measure to the outside frame of your cabinet.Measure the length and don't worry about the sink opening because you always add on with tile to account for cuts and breakage. Take a separate measurement for the front and sides that show for your bull nose tile. For your back splash you need to decide if you're going to just put a bull nose or tile the entire area between your top and bottom cabinets. Then take that measurement. Now you can take these measurements to your home improvement store and tile store and buy all of your supplies. If you don't know how to figure how much tile and thin set you will need, the store clerk can help you. There are two kinds of sinks to use with tile counter tops, one that goes under the tile and a one that goes on top. The one that goes top is a little harder to keep clean around the seal, but look at both and decide which one you like.

2

Cut your plywood. Using your measurement of your depth and length, cut your plywood and lay it on top of your cabinets. You want this to be very level. Screw the plywood into the cabinets, factory side out and check the level, if it's off you can use shims under the foot of the cabinet or you can remove the screws and shim the frame. If you use the shims under the foot, make sure you place them so they won't be removed later. Once you have it level cut your backerboard. You can scribe it and just snap it. If you are using a flush mount sink you need to cut your opening and install it before your backerboard. If you're using a self rimming, you don't install it until the counter is finished, but you will need to measure and cut your opening now. Make sure you leave enough room behind the sink to install your back splash.

3

Spread a coat of thinset with the 1/4 notched trowel on the plywood and install your backerboard. Screw the backerboard to the plywood with 1 1/4 inch cement board screws every 8 inches or so. Now cut strips of backerboard to cover the plywood edge. Put on the thinset just as you did for the top and nail the strips in place about every 6 inches. Cut some strips of fiberglass mesh tape and put it over the corners, trowel on some thin set and let every dry for a few hours.

4

Check your tile layout. You can set some tiles out on the top to see how they will fit. You want your cuts to be at the back of your counter. Check how it will match up with your backsplash and adjust cuts or spacing. If you have a special pattern tile, set out the pattern to see where you like it to start or end up. You can set a chalk line for each line of tile to make sure they are straight, or you can just measure and draw a line so you can make adjustments to your cut pieces.

5

Mix your thinset and start laying your tile. This is the easy part. Mix only enough thinset to do about 6 square feet at a time so it doesn't dry out before you use it. Use your 1/4 inch notched trowel and spread it on a small area, starting at your front corner. Place your tiles down into the mortar and use your spacer for the next tile. If you are using tiles that aren't exactly the same size, don't use spacers. You will need to do these by sight. Make sure you are keeping your tiles level with each other. When you get to the back of the counter, measure and cut your tile to fit. Use a wet saw to the tiles, it rarely breaks the tiles like snippers do and leaves a nice smooth cut. You can rent one if you don't have one. Once you have the counter all set, you can work on the back splash. Put in a bullnose or you can tile the whole area. You may have to use nails in the grout space to hold the tile up and then duct tape to one another until the mortar starts drying and holding them into place. Depending on your cabinet layout will depend on where you want your cuts to be. Lay a row and decide. Install your bullnose edge. They make special tiles with rounded edges for the edge of your counter. Install the same way with the mortar and duct tape works great to hold them on until they set. Follow the recommended time by the manufacturer of the thinset you used for the time to allow everything to dry before moving on to the next step.

6

Mix your grout. Grout comes in many colors and sanded and non-sanded. The non-sanded kind is better for wet surfaces and the darker colors don't show the stains left by coffee or other spills you will have on a kitchen counter. The non-sanded grout shrinks when it drys and you will need to use two coats. Remove the grout spacers. Mix the grout according to the directions and place some on the tile. Using the grout float push the grout into the spaces between the tiles. Do a small area at a time. Keep a clean bucket of water with your sponge in it and sponge off the excess as you move along. Grout the entire top and backsplash and let dry.

7

Seal your tile and grout. There are a few different types of sealers you can buy. Some sponge on and some spray on. Use the sponge on type, seal the entire area. Let it dry and repeat.