Kitchen Countertops – Working With Tiles

One of the most beautiful types of kitchen countertops is the countertop inlaid with tile. There is something that is classic and decorative about a countertop with a surface made of tile. Unfortunately, having a professional come and install a custom tile countertop in the home will be an expensive endeavor. If the homeowner doesn’t mind doing a little hard work, they can cut that price in half or more by installing a tile kitchen countertop by themselves.

There are several different types of tiles that can be used to create tile kitchen countertops. Porcelain tiles are thick and strong due to the fact that they are baked at a higher temperature than the other types of tiles. The color imbedded into the porcelain tile is present all the way through the tile instead of just on the top, making them resistant to small visible scratches. Ceramic tiles are made from clay and various minerals that is formed and baked to increase the strength of the tile. The color of the ceramic tiles is applied as a glaze prior to baking or as paint once the baking process is done.

Quarry tiles are tiles made from a mixture of clay and rock. These types of tiles need a good strong sealant to be suitable for use on tile kitchen countertops. There are also tiles that are made out of glass which can be used. Glass tiles can be fragile and should not be used on tile kitchen countertops that will see a great deal of use as they might break. Many individuals use glass tiles for decorative accents or the backsplash of their tile kitchen countertop. All of the different types of tiles come in a wide variety of colors and some have designs imprinted on them to make them even more decorative.

The properties of a tile kitchen countertop make them an attractive option for many homeowners. Tile countertops are resistant to moisture and they inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungus, and mold on the countertop. Tile countertops are also heat resistant and will not be damaged by the placement of a hot object on the surface of the countertop. The tiles that can be used to create a tile kitchen countertop comes in a wide variety of colors, styles, and painted designs making it easy to find a style that it right for the kitchen décor.

When learning how to create tile kitchen countertops, the first thing to remember is to measure everything carefully. The measurements that are taken will determine which designs will look best on the countertop and allows the homeowner to carefully map out a strategy to get the project completed. All of the materials and tools needed for the project should be gathered prior to the start of the project, so that the homeowner will not need to stop in the middle of the project to run to the store to get supplies.

For someone learning how to create tile kitchen countertops, it is best to begin with a countertop that does not have rounded edges. Square countertops or rectangular countertops are best for beginners as it is less difficult to get the tiles positioned properly on these types of countertops. If the homeowner is placing tile on an existing countertop, all of the fixtures should be removed from the countertop prior to the start of the project.

The entire surface of the countertop should be sanded so that the epoxy used to set the tile has a rough surface to adhere to. The epoxy should be placed in a thin layer on the area that will be tiled. The placement of the tile should begin where the sink is located, with the homeowner placing the tiles around the sink area first and then gradually tiling outward. When learning how to tile kitchen countertops, it is important to remember to lay each tile end to end as snug together as possible to create a uniform look. The homeowner should continue laying whole tiles for as far as they can and leaving any extra areas open.

Once the homeowner has determined the size of the area that still needs to be tiled, the tiles being used can be cut down to finish the edges of the countertop. The space between the tiles should not contain any holes and any holes that are present will need to be filled in. Once all of the tiles are set to the homeowners liking, the countertop will need to dry and cure. The homeowner has created a tile kitchen countertop for a fraction of the price of a custom tile countertop.