Ceramic and porcelain tile remain popular choices for countertops and backsplashes for a number of reasons: it’s available in a vast range of sizes, styles, and colors; it’s durable and repairable; and some tile— not all—is reasonably priced. With careful planning, tile is also easy to install, making a custom countertop a good do-it-yourself project.
The best tile for most countertops is glazed ceramic or porcelain floor tile. Glazed tile is better than unglazed because of its stain resistance, and floor tile is better than wall tile because it’s thicker and more durable. While glaze protects tile from stains, the grout between tiles is still vulnerable because it’s so porous. To minimize staining, use a grout that contains a latex additive or mix the grout using a liquid latex additive. After the grout cures fully, apply a quality grout sealer, and reapply the sealer once a year thereafter. Choosing larger tiles reduces the number of grout lines. Although the selection is a bit limited, if you choose 13" × 13"
floor tile, you can span from the front to the back edge of the countertop with a single seam.
The countertop in this project has a substrate of 3⁄4" exterior-grade plywood that’s cut to fit and fasten to the cabinets. The plywood is covered with a layer of plastic (for a moisture barrier) and a layer of 1⁄2"-thick
cementboard. Cementboard is an effective backer for tile because it won’t break down if water gets through
the tile layer. The tile is adhered to the cementboard with thinset adhesive. The overall thickness of the finished countertop is about 11⁄2". If you want a thicker countertop, you can fasten an additional layer of plywood (of any thickness) beneath the substrate. Two layers of 3⁄4" exterior-grade plywood without cementboard is also an acceptable substrate. You can purchase tiles made specifically to serve as backsplashes and front edging. While the color and texture may match, these tiles usually come in only one length, making it difficult to get your grout lines to align with the field tiles. You can solve this problem by cutting your own edging and backsplash tiles from field tiles.
Ceramic or porcelain tile makes a durable countertop that is heatresistant and relatively easy for a DIYer to create. By using larger tiles, you minimize the grout lines (and the cleaning that goes with them).
Tools & Materials
Tape measure
Circular saw
Drill
Utility knife
Straightedge
Stapler
Drywall knife
Framing square
Notched trowel
Tile cutter
Grout float
Sponge
Corner bracket
Moisture barrier
Caulk gun
Ceramic tile
Tile spacers
3⁄4" exterior-grade (CDX) plywood
4-mil polyethylene sheeting
Packing tape
1⁄2" cementboard
11⁄4" galvanized deck screws
Fiberglass mesh tape
Thinset mortar
Grout
Silicone caulk
Silicone grout sealer
Cement board screws
Metal rule
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