Ceramic Tile Counter Tops
In the kitchen or bath ceramic tile counter tops look great. They are also strong, easy to clean and durable if the work has been done properly. Basically, you need to consider what will be done on the counter top. Kitchen counter tops can come in for a lot of heavy use, almost as much as a floor. They will probably have to be water-proofed, especially around a sink. If it will be near an oven make sure that the adhesive can stand the heat. The manufacturer's label should tell you this. Also, be sure to check your local building codes, some require that you have an airspace between the counter and the stove, others require fire-resistant material.
For the bath, you will almost certainly need to waterproof the counter top. Non-vitreous or impervious tile works best here. A sealant or waterproof webbing or membrane should be placed between the tile and the substrate or under the substrate. The substrate is a backing material used to make a bed for the tile.
The glaze, or shiny surface, on ceramic tile counter tops is another important consideration. Be sure that the glaze does not scratch or scuff easily, and that scuff marks can be easily cleaned. There are so many tile manufacturers and types of tile that the only way to be confident is to buy a sample and test it. Scrape and hammer it with exactly the sort of things that you think the tile will come in contact with. For the kitchen, that would be flatware, knives, cutting boards, pots and pans. In the bath there is considerably less wear but still test the results of shampoo or body lotion bottles, especially glass. This will put you well ahead of the curve as far as possible damage is concerned. It is always easier to avoid a problem upfront that try to fix it later.
Color is another important choice you will have to make. Remember that there are two colors really: the tile and the grout. It is possible to butt tiles so close together that the grout is almost invisible, but this is not a good idea. Ceramic tile layed like this has to be done perfectly, with all the tile tops flat and level and all the sides fitted perfectly. Since ceramic tile, by it's nature, is not this uniform the job will be very time-consuming and any small error will stand out like a sore thumb. The best choice is usually a dark tile with light-colored or white grout (white goes with everything), or the reverse, dark grout and light tile.
Ceramic tile counter tops have edges that can be handled in a number of ways. There could be an edging made of wood or some other material, even tile. Or, the tile may be fitted over the edge and slightly down the side in what is called radius trim or radius bullnose trim. Some ceramic tile has one edge or two adjacent edges that are rounded or bullnosed. The two-edge tile is used for corner pieces and single-edge is used for middle pieces. Sometimes you can find tile specially shaped for inside corners. These are corners that surround something like a sink. Not all runs of tile have these pieces but substitutes can be made by cutting two regular tile diagonally and joining the pieces together.
Installing ceramic tile counter tops is a relatively small job. If you know what you are doing it can often be done in a single day. However, all the usual considerations about substrate, waterproofing, adhesive, grout and tile still apply. If you feel uncertain hire a contractor. He may save you money in the long run.
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