Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 29, 1998 07:29am | #1

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   Hi Carol sounds like you have a job ahead of you. A few quick questions on your 1" tile, have you thought about the counter edge and back splash? I don't know if they made bull nose tiles for your tile check before starting. As far as sealing check out home depot stores we use a product that's called" tile safe" I think Thuroseal makes it. Just follow the direction as stated on the bottle. Also the type of grout that you use will help with stains as well as the color that you use. Good luck on your project. Email me if I can help out

2. 
   JT_ | Dec 29, 1998 08:09am | #2

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   Just to clarify, the grout needs sealing, the tile doesn't. With 1" tiles you'll have lot of grout, so if your counter will get hard use, consider epoxy grout since it won't stain. If you go with regular grout, use a latex modified one, and follow the manuf's directions. Choice of grout color will have a significant effect on maintainability; natural grey is easy, white will be harder. If you are sensitive about the actual color of the grout, mix some and let it dry before applying; colors don't always turn out the way you expect. BTW, be sure to order extra tiles to keep for future repairs. Even though porcelain is very hard, it's not indestructable, and matching colors a few years from now may be impossilbe.

3. 
   Guest_ | Dec 30, 1998 08:48am | #3

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   So, Carole, tell us all about your new kitchen countertop. From your previous posts, I'm guessing you set this tile over a plywood base. Is this right?

   Also, what material did you use to set the tile?

   s/Curious

4. 
   Carole | Dec 31, 1998 04:08am | #4

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   You're correct about the plywood subsurface- actually the tile have not yet been set, as the plywood, as it is now, is too thick to accomodate the stems of the faucet and cross handles we want to use with it (the tile will add depth also). Haven't decided how to handle the situation. I'm guessing the best thing would be to plane off some of the layers of plywood...
   If you've been following my posts, you know that originally the surface was to be covered with a metal such as stainless steel, but samples I saw looked too much like a diner counter, so 1/4" tile was chosen to cover the wood.
   This simple project has become more complicated than we hoped...but many of you have given good advice on how to install the tile on the plywood, and what to do to seal it.
   Many thanks.

5. 
   Guest_ | Dec 31, 1998 05:07am | #5

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   Carole, planing the existing plywood base would be a mistake. Aside from the big mess you are going to make inside your home, and the dust, you'll have a very uneven surface upon which you will be setting the tile. A small tile will show these imperfections quite nicely. A 1" tile will show this BIG TIME!

   I'd seriously reconsider this. Your objective is to reduce the plywood base thickness so the plumbing fixtures fit, right? What about routing the plywood from above, or below, only at the fixtures? Or, if that will not work, is it too late to go with a thinner base? I wouldn't go less than 1/2" though.

   Also, may I strongly suggest you use, at least, a backerboard over the plywood base. Setting 1" porcelian over plywood is a new tile job down the road.

6. 
   Carole | Dec 31, 1998 10:18am | #6

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   Rich, you make a lot of sense- thanks for your input.
   I'm leaning toward redoing the plywood top with thinner wood, and using backerboard as you suggest. This approach makes the most sense since so far only the sink-base section has been constructed, and redoing just this one section of counter won't break the bank...the rest of the kitchen will be built on the other side of a free-standing range in a month or so, and we will have learned from our mistakes!
   Thanks again.

7. 
   Carole | Dec 31, 1998 10:18am | #7

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   I'll be installing American Oleon 1" square mosaic porcelain tiles as a counter top, and wondered if sealing of grout and tile is necessary. If so, what would be a food-safe sealant?