| Tile is long lasting and resistant to stains, moisture | | | | straightedge. |
| and heat that's why it is a very good choice for your | | | | 4. From the lowest area on the counter, label the wall |
| kitchen countertop. Using ceramic tile can help you | | | | at a height equivalent to two tiles. Then lengthen the |
| save a lot of your labor costs because even an | | | | reference line up to that height then across the spot |
| average, practical homeowner can do the job of | | | | where you will install the tiles. |
| installing it. So if you haven't labored with ceramic tiles | | | | 5. Shut off or disconnect the electrical current flowing |
| before, then mounting kitchen counter tile is a | | | | to the switches and outlets in the place that will be |
| perfect project for a neophyte like you since the | | | | tiled. |
| countertop is a relatively small and horizontal surface. | | | | 6. Cover up the surfaces of the countertop with |
| As always, the key to a successful do-it-yourself job | | | | hefty paper in order to guard them from scratches. |
| is planning. So before you start tiling your countertop, | | | | 7. Apply the adhesive to the wall, starting from the |
| plan first the installation job in order to lessen the | | | | reference line, raking the adhesive downward. Then |
| number of tiles you have to cut. Before choosing the | | | | from the back portion of the counter, rake the |
| kitchen counter tile to use, measure the counter top | | | | adhesive upward. Just be sure that the mastic is |
| carefully. In estimating the amount of tiles needed to | | | | distributed evenly. |
| cover it, make sure to allocate space for specialty | | | | 8. Begin mounting the tiles by putting a tile under the |
| tiles like those that are required for a backsplash or | | | | reference line, making sure that it lines up with the |
| for edging. | | | | reference line and mark at the center. |
| Buy slightly more tiles that what you need so you | | | | 9. Keep on mounting tiles adjacent to the reference |
| have extra in case of breakage or cutting problems. | | | | line and check them regularly using a straightedge to |
| In general, the rule of the thumb is to purchase ten | | | | ensure that they are well-aligned. |
| percent additional tiles. After purchasing, lay out the | | | | 10. After installing the tiles under the reference line, |
| kitchen counter tiles on the place where they will be | | | | begin installing the tiles on top of the line. To ensure |
| installed to be certain that you have sufficient tile and | | | | that the tiles are installed straightly, do the installation |
| to know where cuts will be made. | | | | in a pyramid order. |
| Materials Needed: | | | | 11. If all the tiles are already in place, put the board |
| Measuring tape, Tile cutter, Hammer, Level, Tiles, | | | | that's covered with carpet over them and beat it |
| Grout Float, Sponge, Pry bar, Soft cloth, Tile cutting | | | | using a hammer. This will lock them securely in place. |
| saw, Notched trowel, Safety goggles, Mastic | | | | 12. Put bullnose tiles on the edges of your backsplash, |
| adhesive, Wall tiles, Screwdrivers, Straightedge, | | | | applying mastic at the back of the bullnose tiles. |
| Grout, 2 x 4 x 2 inches board wrapped in carpet | | | | 13. Let the mastic dry. |
| Installation Steps: | | | | 14. Apply the grout using the grout float that's made |
| 1. Find and mark the hub of the area where you are | | | | from rubber. |
| going to install the tile. Draw a reference line over the | | | | 15. Remove the excess grout using a wet sponge. |
| said mark. | | | | Let the grout dry. |
| 2. Lay out a row of kitchen counter tile to find out | | | | 16. Put back the electrical fixtures that you removed |
| the end of the backsplash. | | | | before the kitchen counter tile installation. |
| 3. With a lengthy straightedge and a level, determine | | | | Truly, putting a kitchen counter tile can be very easy |
| the lowest spot on the counter's back. This will be | | | | and the result is really satisfying. |
| the biggest gap between the counter and the level | | | | |