| Installing Tile Over Laminate Countertops: Applying Mortar and Setting Tile on Countertops |
From "Weekend Remodeling"
episode WKR-111 |
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Prep Work, Remove Sink and Stove, Remove Backsplash and Sand Counters = 4 hours
Applying Mortar and Setting Tile on Countertops = 5 hours
Finish Setting Tile and Setting the Backsplash = 5 hours
Applying Grout and Adding New Sink = 4 hours
Total Time on Project = 18 hours over 2-1/2 days
On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the hardest, this project rates a 4. We spent $1,000 on supplies for this project. If you hired a professional tile setter, you would pay approximately $2,500. Materials: Level
Clamp
Palm sander
50-grit sandpaper
Wet saw (rented)
Circular saw
Reciprocating saw
Tiles
Spacers
2" shims
Utility knife
Screw gun
Latex modified thin-set adhesive
Grout
Square-notched trowel
Hard rubber float
Caulk - Tile around the sink area first. Determine your starting point by starting at the end of the counter and place tiles until you end with the last whole tile.
- Draw a vertical line representing those tiles and then draw horizontal lines representing the rows of tiles (figure A). Do the same thing from the sink side of the countertop. Where those two points intersect is where you begin with the angle cuts.
- Lay whole tiles out along the marks. Use a straight edge to line up with your mark on the counter and strike a line across the tiles (figure B).This is an easy way to mark the tiles.
- Use a wet saw to cut along the marks (figure C).
Expert Tip: Once your tile layout for a corner has been determined, precut those tiles and then check your cuts to see if they match your layout. If not, there is still plenty of time to get it right. - You need latex modified thin-set for this type of application. Scratch coat the counter (figure D) the same as you would a floor, being careful to keep the lines visible for now.
- Begin setting the tiles at the left side of the intersecting (figure E) line. At this point, it is like any other tile project.
- With the tiles set to the left of the line you are now able to marry the tiles to the right of the angle (figure F).
Expert Tip: Using spacers in the grout joints of a tile layout helps insure consistency throughout the entire job. - Set the whole tiles and make necessary cuts as needed. Work your way to the opposite corner, right of the sink.
- The rest of the counter should consist mostly of whole tiles. When you have a straight area to cover, you can spread out the thin-set over the entire area at once. Use the comb edge of the trowel to scratch the countertop and create grooves in the mortar that all run in the same direction (figure G).
- Lay the rest of the tiles. It is important to set the tile into position and slide it into place by gently pushing it in the opposite direction that the notches are running. Repeat the process by adding spacers flat in the corners and standing up between the tiles along the sides. This will insure consistency in the width of the grout joints.
- Due to the nature of rounded edges of the countertop, place 2-inch shims underneath the tiles along the perimeter (figure H). This will allow the counter edge tile to hang long enough for the modified thin-set to cure.
- When you install the counter edges (figure I) be sure and fill all voids between the tile and the laminate with mortar. The shims just keep the edges from moving once you set them in place. Once the thin-set cures, they will not be going anywhere. The edges go on the same way.
RESOURCES :
Kitchen Tiles (Crossville Porcelain Tiles)
Tiling 1-2-3: Floors, Walls, Countertop, Fireplaces, Decorating Ideas, Custom Design
ISBN: 0696211874
Author: Editor, The Home Depot Books
Order this title from Amazon.
The Home Depot Books
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