How To Install Your Kitchen Counter Tile

By Albert Lee

Tile is long lasting and resistant to stains, moisture and heat that's why it is a very good choice for your kitchen countertop. Using ceramic tile can help you save a lot of your labor costs because even an average, practical homeowner can do the job of installing it. So if you haven't labored with ceramic tiles before, then mounting kitchen counter tile is a perfect project for a neophyte like you since the countertop is a relatively small and horizontal surface.

As always, the key to a successful do-it-yourself job is planning. So before you start tiling your countertop, plan first the installation job in order to lessen the number of tiles you have to cut. Before choosing the kitchen counter tile to use, measure the counter top carefully. In estimating the amount of tiles needed to cover it, make sure to allocate space for specialty tiles like those that are required for a backsplash or for edging.

Buy slightly more tiles that what you need so you have extra in case of breakage or cutting problems. In general, the rule of the thumb is to purchase ten percent additional tiles. After purchasing, lay out the kitchen counter tiles on the place where they will be installed to be certain that you have sufficient tile and to know where cuts will be made.

Materials Needed:

Measuring tape, Tile cutter, Hammer, Level, Tiles, Grout Float, Sponge, Pry bar, Soft cloth, Tile cutting saw, Notched trowel, Safety goggles, Mastic adhesive, Wall tiles, Screwdrivers, Straightedge, Grout, 2 x 4 x 2 inches board wrapped in carpet

Installation Steps:

1. Find and mark the hub of the area where you are going to install the tile. Draw a reference line over the said mark.

2. Lay out a row of kitchen counter tile to find out the end of the backsplash.

3. With a lengthy straightedge and a level, determine the lowest spot on the counter's back. This will be the biggest gap between the counter and the level straightedge.

4. From the lowest area on the counter, label the wall at a height equivalent to two tiles. Then lengthen the reference line up to that height then across the spot where you will install the tiles.

5. Shut off or disconnect the electrical current flowing to the switches and outlets in the place that will be tiled.

6. Cover up the surfaces of the countertop with hefty paper in order to guard them from scratches.

7. Apply the adhesive to the wall, starting from the reference line, raking the adhesive downward. Then from the back portion of the counter, rake the adhesive upward. Just be sure that the mastic is distributed evenly.

8. Begin mounting the tiles by putting a tile under the reference line, making sure that it lines up with the reference line and mark at the center.

9. Keep on mounting tiles adjacent to the reference line and check them regularly using a straightedge to ensure that they are well-aligned.

10. After installing the tiles under the reference line, begin installing the tiles on top of the line. To ensure that the tiles are installed straightly, do the installation in a pyramid order.

11. If all the tiles are already in place, put the board that's covered with carpet over them and beat it using a hammer. This will lock them securely in place.

12. Put bullnose tiles on the edges of your backsplash, applying mastic at the back of the bullnose tiles.

13. Let the mastic dry.

14. Apply the grout using the grout float that's made from rubber.

15. Remove the excess grout using a wet sponge. Let the grout dry.

16. Put back the electrical fixtures that you removed before the kitchen counter tile installation.

Truly, putting a kitchen counter tile can be very easy and the result is really satisfying.

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