Are ceramic tile countertops cast on site or in the shop?

Ceramic tiles are generally cast and molded in the shop, but they can also be cast on site. You can cast a ceramic tile countertop at home and install by yourself, but it is not that easy to do. You need to have experience in tiling because it requires precision, accuracy, and a lot of time. Sealing the tiles is also a complicated process that needs expert hands. It is still advisable to let professionals cast and install your ceramic tile countertop. However, if you are confident that you can do it by yourself, then here are the basic steps:

Step 1

Measure the length, width, and height of your countertop. You should measure along the back wall, from the left edge of the countertop to the right edge. Remember that the size is the length, and the length divided by two is the vertical center line. Mark the wall accordingly.

Note that the stove is the focal point of the kitchen. Your laminate countertop would look better if it is evenly centered in reference to the focal point.

Step 2

Determine the size of your side cuts by taking two tiles and walking them side by side from the vertical center to the countertop edge, and subtracting the width of your flush cup. Ideally, the side cut should at least be two inches wide. Draw a line down the center of the back wall to indicate your preferred side cuts. You can adjust the position of the vertical line if you want a wider or narrower side cut.

Step 3

Measure the width of your countertop from the front edge to the back edge. Divide the number by two and to get the measurement of the horizontal dead center. Draw a horizontal line on the back wall and mark it accordingly.

Step 4

Draw a vertical and horizontal line on the countertop from edge to edge using a pencil, and then install a bullnose flush cap on the inside of the line. Start placing the ceramic tile where the horizontal and vertical line intersects using a grout mortar. Make sure that you evenly scrape the mortar flat to make it even and tight. There should also be no visible bumps. Using the flush cup, decide where you want to end your ceramic tile. Fine tune the position of the horizontal line so you can slightly adjust the tiles as you work. If one end of the backsplash runs into the wall, then you can start with a ceramic tile where the flush cap begins.

Step 5

The last step is to laminate and seal the grout mortar using a commercially available sealant, usually a latex modified thinset. Be sure to read the instructions carefully to avoid mistakes and re-doing.