School me on tiling kitchen counter top

[IBCRUSN]

Beyond the basics of tiling are there any bits of advice you all can offer for tiling a counter top and back splash? The current request from the is a granite counter top and glass tile back splash. I haven't tiled anything in years and that was a shower and bathroom which was already to go with Durock previously installed. Any insight or advice is appreciated.

 

[titanpat57]

Glass tile as in glass block or ceramic tile? If you mean ceramic tile, between the cabinet bottoms and the countertop, the key is to allow a good 1/8" to 3/16" gap between the counter and tile backsplash. I always cut a strip on the table saw (3 to 4' lengths) and tile down to it. Be cautious not to push the tile down on strip too tight or you'll have your hands full taking it out. Once the tileing and grout is finished, remove the strip and caulk it with a good quality caulking, if you only use grout it..it'll look good for awhile, but just crack.

I don't see the need for wonderboard, it's not a shower or a flat surface. Use good quality adhesives and grouts and be sure to seal it as soon as you can. Many foods will stain the grout , so be careful

Take a pic or two of the area and post it.

 

[-Spike-]

Cement board isn't necessary on the walls, but is on the deck, unless you want to do a mud bed.

Caulking the corner is a must. I usually use tile spacers, but wood strips work fine.

Make sure you seal the grout ASAP to avoid stains.

-Spike

 

[Pin_Head]

There is no particular problem in using granite to tile a counter top, but it may be hard to find a matching V cap. You might have to do a contrasting color to make it look right if you can't find a close match to the stone. Use the "sanded" silicone sealer on the joint between the top and the back splash. It comes in the same colors as the grout and looks like grout, but it won't crack.

The granite top business here has become quite competitive and you might get some types of granite installed for $50 a square, so you might want to get some bids as you might find the price competitive with DIY.

 

[grizzlygibbs]

if you are doing a clear type glass tile on the back splash make sure you smooth the ridges of your thin set! That will hide them and give a flawless look to the back splash. Also i would use a thinner gap on the granite tile on the countertop to give it a little more "seam less" look. let us all know how it turns out!

 

[IBCRUSN]

Good info on the corner meeting point between the flat surface and the wall, I had not thought of it.

I'll shoot a couple pics tonight and post 'em up.

The current plan is the small square colored glass tile for the back splash in a complementing color scheme. Is it acceptable to glue the tile mats directly to the sheetrock? The current tile is glued this way but if isn't the correct installation I'd like to remedy it.

I forgot to add in the original post that I'm leaning towards using Schluter brushed nickle/stainless finish bullnose so I don't have to get crazy cutting, beveling and polishing edges.

Schluter-RONDEC-STEP - Schluter-Systems

www.schluter.com/media/articles/chw_art_countertopinstall_ca.pdf

 

[FirstToy]

glass tile is not as durable- i mean it will scratch and dull easily if you use abrasive cleaners or abrasive cleaning pads.

i have glass tile in the bathroom - a small decorative element around the tub area, most is traditional tile. the glass looks great. just be careful w/ it!

 

[rutbeer]

I have had two kitchens with tile countertops, the latter being one I installed with 12" granite tiles. Looked fantastic when it was new, but was a huge pain to clean. Even though I sealed the grout, it was always a collector or crap. I went solid surface on this house, and I will never go back to tile. I do like the tile backsplash though.

 

[IBCRUSN]

I have had two kitchens with tile countertops, the latter being one I installed with 12" granite tiles. Looked fantastic when it was new, but was a huge pain to clean. Even though I sealed the grout, it was always a collector or crap. I went solid surface on this house, and I will never go back to tile. I do like the tile backsplash though.

How wide of grout lines did you have? After looking at a few tiles counter tops, 1/8" looks to be the best trade off between no grout and larger gaps.

 

[rutbeer]

They were 1/8" or less. The tiles had a micro-bevel and I pretty much set them with the edges touching...give or take some grains of sand in the set. It looked fantastic when I was done, it just wasn't as maintenance free as the solid surface I have now. I still have to seal, but the everyday cleaning is cake.