![]() But silicone isn’t suitable for every situation, especially if the front edge is raw tile. The most wallet-friendly solution, Harriet suggests, is silicone sealant you simply apply a thin layer to the edges for a clean, waterproof seal. ‘Once you have applied your tiles, you’ll need to finish the front and end edges of your countertop – there are a few ways to do this,’ says Harriet Goodacre, Tile Consultant at Topps Tiles. ![]() However, achieving a neat edge finish is often where the main challenge arises. Tiling countertops is mainly a matter of trowelling on tile adhesive with a notched trowel then pushing each tile down firmly on repeat. ‘Use a straight edge or a laser guide to ensure all your tiles are laid straight and pay special attention to the size of tiles near the outside edges – avoiding slithers of tile wherever possible.’ 5. Most common grout line widths are 2mm or 3mm, placing tiling spacer pegs around the corners of each tile is the most accurate way to lay a dry run of your tiles,’ says Mike Head, Director, Atlas Ceramics. ‘Lay out your tiles on the countertop, starting from the center and working outwards, remembering to leave a space for your grout lines between each tile. For this reason, experts recommend a dry run to ensure your tiles fit perfectly and work out the best starting point. Do a dry runĬountertops are highly visible surfaces, so there’s less room for mistakes. ‘We also do not recommend using crackle glaze or metallic effect tiles, and it’s a good idea to try and minimise the number of tile joints and tile cuts by opting for larger format tile,’ adds Andrew Bendall, Manager at Craven Dunnill Jackfield. ‘Most porcelain tiles are nano-sealed during manufacturing, meaning their surface is kept protected for longer.’Ĭeramic tiles are also a sound option, but avoid tile that requires sealing, such as natural stone or encaustic, unless you are incredibly vigilant about sealing and resealing on a regular basis. ‘Porcelain tiles are water resistant and durable, and can be relied on for longevity, so they make the best choice,’ advises Harriet Goodacre, Tile Consultant at Topps Tiles. Tiled countertops are likely to come under fire from all manner of spills, from oily foods and red wine, to toothpaste, shaving foam and water. Whether you are tiling a countertop for the kitchen or bathroom, choosing the right tile is paramount. Once your tiling is complete and the grout dry, the hob, basin or sink will slot into place and the overmounted edge can then be sealed with silicone to prevent water ingress. Sit-on, overmounted sinks, basins and hobs are much better than undermounted designs when choosing tiled countertops. Most sinks and hobs will come with a paper template for this purpose, or you can make one by carefully measuring the item. ![]() I have porcelain tiles as on of the counters in my showroom AND procelain tile all over the floors.įeel free to email me if you've any additional questions.Don’t forget to cut out any holes for sinks, basins and hobs in your base material, using a jigsaw. They haven't a clue what really works and what doesn't. Some people post their opinions, not facts, and it irks me. The tiles were porcelain and the grout had a latex additive mixed in - problem solved. Had the counters become a cleaning nightmare I would've have been put out with the garbage. Lastly, I had tile on my counters for 11 years without any problems. the great news is that grout can easily be scraped out and replaced for those areas that get stained. Use a grout that has a powdered additive already in the grout. I have installed thousands of square of tile and I promise you that the porcelain is a great choice.Ĭoncerning the grout joints, I agree that the large grout joints are installed by hacks - those that pretend to be professionals! For your application, use a 3/16" grout joint and DO NOT use those idiotic spacers! If it looks good to your eye, then it looks good to everyone. Using marble on a countertop is a HUGE mistake, it's way too porous and requires much maintenance. I have used porcelain for many applications including commercial & industrial areas. The person that stated the porcelain tile is too soft couldn't be any further from the truth. Libbie, porcelain tiles have a surface that's virtually indestructible.
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