I’ve tiled quite a few floors in kitchens and baths without problems but everything I read about tiling countertops seems to require much more elaborate subsurfaces with 1″ mortar beds and mesh reinforcing. Seeing that the floors I do have to withstand point loads from people walking on them and appliances, whereas the most the countertops can expect is someone sitting on them during infrequent parties. What is the logic behind all the extra prep?
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I have seen tile countertops with just a 3/4" plywood substrate. The ones I've seen seem to have held up well so I can't answer your question about the logic of adding more. However, the two that I've done myself, have had a more substantial substrate. One had 3/4" plywood plus a full 1" mud job with wire mesh. The second one I did had 3/4" plywood plus a sheet of 1/2" Duroc. Oh, come to think of it, I know of one client who regularly gets up and walks on the counter in order to change light bulbs for the overhead lights.
Chip Tam