How to Build a Tile Countertop

A beautiful tile countertop enhances the kitchen and also improves the salability of your home. Today there are a number of tile selections from which to choose. While most people select ceramic tile, there are also porcelain, granite, stone and marble tiles available. Ceramic tile is the easiest to work with and often the least expensive.

Instructions

1

Measure the area for the tile countertop. You'll build the base out of wood. Simply transfer the measurements onto butcher paper and cut the template. You'll use two layers of 5/8 inch plywood glued and screwed together for the base of the countertop. If you have any overhang more than ten inches, support it with brackets. Screw the wood countertop firmly into place.

2

Use the paper template you made for the wood countertop to cut a piece of waterproofing fabric membrane to cover the countertop. Set it aside.

3

Cover the surface of the wood countertop with a thin layer of latex modified thinset. Use a 3/16 inch notched trowel to do this. You'll then lay the membrane on top of the thinset and smooth it out to get all the air pockets. This way it gives you a perfect bond. Put a layer of thinset on the edge of the plywood and allow it to dry overnight.

4

Lay out the tiles on the butcher paper template. If you have all straight edges for your counter, then the job is simple. Curves in the countertop require that you taper both sides so the tiles fit together. If your design is complex, cut the tiles from paper first and transfer the cuts to the back of the tile with marking pen. You'll need to use a tile cutter and nippers for the cuts or a water-cooled saw with a diamond blade.

5

Lay the tiles out on the membrane on top of the countertop. You need to make sure they fit well before you set them with thinset. If you have a border of tiles, lay the tiles out and mark the border on top so you have an even cut all the throughout the countertop. You'll need to make sure you have a 1/2 inch overhang of tile on the edge so you can butt the edge tiles underneath those on the top.

6

Apply a layer of thinset. Only apply as much as you can cover with tiles in 20 minutes. Slide the tiles into place so you get an even coat on the underside. Complete all the tiles on the top of the countertop. Build a ledger board to hold the tiles up on the sides of the countertop until they dry. You'll need to level the board so the top is where the bottom of the tiles sit and attach it temporarily to the counter. Extend it a bit beyond the edge so those on the sides have a place to rest. You'll cover the backs of the tiles that go on the edge with thinset to insure they have a firm hold.

7

Clean the tile after you've installed all the pieces. Apply a layer of sealer to keep the grout from sticking in the cracks. Let this dry and then mix the grout and apply it to the tile. Wipe the excess grout that stuck to the face of the tile, and clean the tiles as well as possible without disturbing the grout in the grout lines. Let the area dry for at least a week and then apply two layers of sealer to both the grout and tiles.