How to Install a Mortar Bed Kitchen Countertop

Ceramic tile counter-tops evoke a sense of luxury in the kitchen. Installing ceramic tile starts with building a mortar bed. You can install a mortar bed for your kitchen counter-tops yourself. It doesn't take a lot of technical knowledge; it just takes time and patience.

Instructions

1

Install plywood counter-top base. Lay a base of inch plywood for the bottom layer of your counter-tops. This is what you'll build your mortar bed upon. Make sure the plywood is level.

2

Mark placement of the sink. Use the manufacturer's template and trace a line on the plywood indicating where the sink will be placed. Cut out sink hole. This area will not be tiled or mortared.

3

Install roofing felt. Lay roofing felt over the plywood base and extend it up the back wall the desired depth of the finished mortar bed. Tape in place on wall. Let the excess roofing felt hang over the front edge of the counter-top. Pay special attention to the inside corners; fold the roofing felt and staple the corners flat. Mark the outline of sink hole with chalk or grease pencil.

4

Install reinforcing fabric. Lay 2.5 pound metal wire reinforcing fabric on top of roofing felt. Secure to plywood base and roofing felt with inch heavy duty staples applied 6 inches apart in all directions. Leave a inch gap between reinforcing fabric and the back wall. The reinforcing fabric should not extend beyond the front edge of the counter-top.

5

Install cap strip. A cap strip is a strip of wood applied to the front vertical edge of the counter-top. It's height is equal to the thickness of the plywood plus the height of the desired finished mortar bed. It serves as a height guide when applying the mortar bed and also stops the mortar from spilling over the edge. Apply the cap strip even with the bottom of the vertical front of the plywood base. Insure that the cap strip is level and then secure to plywood base using 1 inch galvanized screws.

6

Mix mortar. Mix one part Portland cement, one part lime, and seven parts damp sand. Thoroughly mix these ingredients before adding water. Add water a little at a time until mortar is stiff, but not dry. To test for the correct amount of moisture, run a trowel through the mix. If the indentation remains without the mixture filling the indentation, the mortar is the proper consistency.

7

Apply mortar base. Apply a thick layer of mortar to the counter-top. Thoroughly and completely cover the reinforcing wire. Spread the mortar about inch beyond the marked sink opening.

8

Apply deck mortar. Mix one part Portland cement and 4 parts damp sand. Add a very small amount of water and mix well. If the sand is damp enough, do not add water. Deck mortar should be dry. Squeeze a handful. It should stick together and your hand should not be wet. Apply the mortar up to the height of the cap strip and then cover the cap strip with mortar. Periodically lay a level to insure that this layer of mortar is level. Allow to dry for 24 hours. Trim away excess roofing felt.

9

Install tile. Once the deck mortar has dried, apply a layer of thin-set mortar and lay your ceramic tiles in the design of your choice.

10

Apply tile grout, let dry and seal.