The advantages that a tile countertop has are undeniable! Firstly, the cost of the finished product is much lower than its counterpart in marble or granite. Secondly, according to the technical characteristics, granite is much stronger than stone and is not so amenable to external influence. The third advantage that characterizes a tabletop made of tiles is a huge selection of textures, colors and formats, allowing you to realize any fantasy. Moreover, such work is not difficult in fact, and it is quite realistic to do it yourself. The tile top will look great in the bathroom as a unit with wall decoration. In addition to kitchen surfaces, according to the technology described below, window sills can also be made.
So, we will tell you in stages how to make a countertop. The first thing to start with is the choice of material for decoration. It is best to take the same tile as for facing the working wall. So in the end you get a harmonious and beautiful kitchen. The format can be the most diverse: starting with a shallow mosaic or classic 10x10 and ending with giant tiles 60x120. The latter fit much faster, but require some skill.
As the base, we take two sheets of plywood with a thickness of 20 mm grade FB or FSF. We impregnate it with a moisture protective agent. We perform cutting taking into account the protrusions along the section by 3-5 cm. Also consider that it is necessary to make a hole into which the sink is inserted under the countertop.
We fasten the first sheet of plywood so that it is motionless. To do this, attach it with screws (3-4 pieces) on each side. We also additionally fasten using metal corners. Apply glue for wood in a zigzag pattern to the top of the sheet. Note that it must be moisture resistant. We glue the second sheet and fasten it with additional screws. We make small serifs on the surface. Then, using a stapler, we attach a masking net to the plywood to the interference. The joint between the countertop and the wall is coated with sealant. And the edge is treated with a moisture insulating composition.
As a result, we got two interconnected layers of plywood, securely attached to the kitchen sections. The side parts are treated with a waterproofing substance. A paint net is attached to the surface of the plywood ; on top, it is also treated with a water-repellent solution. Basically, our countertop is ready for tiling.
Anyone who has ever laid tiles on their own will easily cope with the task. Since the principle is the same. First place the beacons. Next, prepare the tile mortar (glue) and start laying. Drawing calculations on the technical characteristics of the countertops does not affect. The size of the seams also does not matter. It all depends on the selected tile. The main thing is to thoroughly wipe them then, and seal the joint between the wall and the surface of the countertop. The outer edges and the butt are lined with special elements (tubes, sides or friezes), or tiles are cut at 45 degrees for a smooth, accurate joint.
The tile top is ready!