How to Tile Kitchen Counters Like a Professional
Tips from the professionals to help you learn how to tile kitchen counters.
Learning how to tile kitchen counters is not a difficult task. The main concern when learning this task is that you take the time to follow each step carefully in order to get professional looking results. This is especially important as you lay the design for your tiles. You’ll want to make sure the grouting remains level and consistent. Thus the tiles must be carefully placed along pre-marked lines.
The first step is to measure the counter so you can calculate the number of tiles you will need for the job. It’s always a good idea to buy a few extra tiles in case some get damaged. Ten percent extra is a good amount. Another plus in buying extras, is the fact that if you later have tiles that need to be replaced you have an exact match.
Any time you lay tiles you should make sure your counter surface where you are going to apply the tiles is even and level. If you are having a problem with this, try using a backerboard to even out the surface. Put plastic or an old sheet over your floor and cabinets for protection before beginning this job.
Some of the types of tile that can be applied to plywood backerboard include porcelain, ceramic and stone. Get all the necessary tile pieces together and then dry fit them with plastic spacers to serve as the width of the grout lines before you being to actually lay the tiles.
How To Tile Kitchen Counters
The next step to learning how to tile kitchen counters is to mark your lines for edge tiles if you are using them. Make sure all your tiles are aligned with a straight edge. Take your notched trowel and apply some mortar to the backer-board. You will have to let the mortar dry to the manufacturer’s specifications before you should apply any tile to it. Placement is crucial once this mortar is down. It can be very difficult to remove and replace once you’ve laid it in the mortar/glue.
It is best to work out from a corner. You should still use your spacers when applying the tile to the mortar. Once all your whole pieces are in place you should cut the others to make them fit and then remove your plastic spacers. (Some harder tile may need to be cut with a wet saw.) Finish edges if using edge tile.
Let the tile sit in the mortar all night and then you can mix the grout to put in the spaces with a grout float.
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