How to Cover a Countertop With Tile

A tile countertop costs less to install than a solid stone one.

If you want the look of stone for your kitchen countertop, but don't want the pay the price, consider installing a tile countertop. Ceramic, porcelain, granite and other materials are available as countertop tile at a fraction of the cost of a stone slab. The color selection is just as varied. A tile countertop is as durable as a solid countertop. If you are a do-it-yourselfer with moderate experience, installing a countertop should be a simple process for you.

Things You'll Need

• Carpenter's level
• Screws
• Screwdriver
• 3/4-inch plywood
• Tape measure
• Construction adhesive
• Staples
• Staple gun
• Jigsaw
• Cement backer board
• Latex-fortified thinset mortar
• 1/4-inch notched trowel
• Cement backer board screws
• Fiberglass mesh tape
• 1 1/4-inch galvanized nails
• Hammer
• Chalk line
• Spacers
• Wet saw with diamond blade
• Tile nippers
• 2-by-2-inch lumber
• Wood clamps
• Grout
• Grout float
• Sponge
• Grout sealer
• Small paintbrush

Instructions

1. Ensure the cabinet tops are level from front to back and side to side using a carpenter's level. Securely anchor the cabinets to the wall using screws that are long enough to reach into the studs at least 1 inch.

2. Measure the tops of the base cabinets. Cut 3/4-inch plywood to fit over the cabinets using a circular saw. Secure the plywood to the cabinets with 1 5/8-inch screws spaced 6 inches apart. If the edge tile you chose is more than 1/4 inch wider than the thickness of the plywood, add a second layer of 1/4-inch plywood. Use construction adhesive and staples to hold it in place.

3. Mark where you want to cut the sink's hole using the template that came with the sink. Allow enough room for tile in front of and behind the sink. Cut out the sink opening with a jigsaw. Support the cutout as you cut so it doesn't drop and splinter the plywood.

4. Measure and cut cement backer board to cover the plywood. Cut out the sink opening in the backer board material. Cover the plywood with latex-fortified thinset mortar spread with a 1/4-inch notched trowel. Secure the backer board in place with 1 1/4-inch cement backer board screws spaced every 8 inches. Cut long strips of backer board to cover the front edge of the plywood. Apply thinset and nail the long strips in place with 1 1/4-inch galvanized nails. Space the nails every 6 inches.

5. Cover joints, edges and corners with a layer of fiberglass mesh tape. Place a thin layer of thinset over the tape. Allow the thinset to dry for several hours before proceeding.

6. Dry set the tile on the countertop. Place whole tiles along the front edge. Once you determine the layout, snap a chalk line to mark where to place the first row of tiles. Measure to ensure it is square with both the front edge and wall. If necessary, re-mark the line.

7. Spread latex-fortified thinset mortar with a notched trowel in the area where you plan to start laying tiles. Start in the middle and work your way to the edges. Set the tiles in the thinset following the chalk line. Add spacers between the tiles to help keep the spacing even. Add more thinset and continue to set tiles.

8. Cut tiles to fit, as necessary, using a wet saw with a diamond blade. Use tile nippers to cut away small amounts of excess tile to get the tiles to fit along the back of the countertop.

9. Secure 2-by-2-inch lumber to the face frame of the cabinets just below the front edge of the countertop using wood clamps. The lumber is going to act as a support for the face tiles until they dry.

10. Apply thinset to the front edge of the countertop. Set the edge tiles in place. Allow the tiles time to dry before proceeding. Follow the recommendations on the thinset for drying times.

11. Remove the 2-by-2-inch lumber and the spacers.

12. Apply grout to the spaces between the tiles using a grout float. Wipe off excess grout with a clean, damp sponge. Let the grout dry for three days. Apply a grout sealer with a small paintbrush and allow it to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• If your countertop tiles are porous, apply a tile sealer following manufacturer's directions before grouting the countertop.

References

• The Tile Doctor: Tile Installation
• The Family Handyman: Installing Tile Countertops