Ceramic Tile Counter Tops Are A Great Project You Can Do Yourself
Ceramic tile counter tops solve several problems especially in kitchens. They are hard so they don't dent. They'll last for decades with little care. Water or any liquids don't bother them. Plus they look so cool and stay great looking. Professionals install most counter tops, but with a little information most anyone can do the job. Here's how you start.
Choosing the tile is one of the biggest problems. That's because there are so many choices. Cost may help you narrow down the choice. Your budget may rule out some choices. Among the more pricey options are marble, granite and slate. But if you do it yourself you have more money for something like granite countertops.
Planning the tile job includes looking at the materials you'll need. You'll need about 10 percent more tiles than the area to be covered to allow for breakage and trim. Will you be doing a back splash? How will you trim the edges and corners? Also think about the backing. The base for installing tile is critical. You can install tile over many other surfaces, but each surface has special preparation requirements. Often tile setters put down cement backerboard as a base.
One of the challenges with countertop tile is the obstacles like sinks, stoves, electrical outlets and others. You may need some help with removing some of these or at least some direction. Be especially careful with electrical outlets. Make sure you know what you are doing.
Once the obstacles are out of the way, laying ceramic tile counter tops is much like laying a floor. Decide exactly where you wish to start and plan ahead for where you want cut tiles. Balance is the key. Don't end up with some little cut narrow tile pieces in a very visible spot. Lay out the dry tiles with the proper spacing so you can see exactly how everything will look before you start cutting tiles and applying adhesives.
Puzzled about how to tile a counter top? Need more information? Maybe even a video? Visit our site for more tips on building a ceramic counter top.
Al Bullington invites you to visit http://www.InstallingCeramicTile.net for answers to your tile questions.
Choosing the tile is one of the biggest problems. That's because there are so many choices. Cost may help you narrow down the choice. Your budget may rule out some choices. Among the more pricey options are marble, granite and slate. But if you do it yourself you have more money for something like granite countertops.
Planning the tile job includes looking at the materials you'll need. You'll need about 10 percent more tiles than the area to be covered to allow for breakage and trim. Will you be doing a back splash? How will you trim the edges and corners? Also think about the backing. The base for installing tile is critical. You can install tile over many other surfaces, but each surface has special preparation requirements. Often tile setters put down cement backerboard as a base.
One of the challenges with countertop tile is the obstacles like sinks, stoves, electrical outlets and others. You may need some help with removing some of these or at least some direction. Be especially careful with electrical outlets. Make sure you know what you are doing.
Once the obstacles are out of the way, laying ceramic tile counter tops is much like laying a floor. Decide exactly where you wish to start and plan ahead for where you want cut tiles. Balance is the key. Don't end up with some little cut narrow tile pieces in a very visible spot. Lay out the dry tiles with the proper spacing so you can see exactly how everything will look before you start cutting tiles and applying adhesives.
Puzzled about how to tile a counter top? Need more information? Maybe even a video? Visit our site for more tips on building a ceramic counter top.
Al Bullington invites you to visit http://www.InstallingCeramicTile.net for answers to your tile questions.