Tiled countertop: how to make it right?

Many believe that a countertop made of tile is an expensive pleasure. But it is reliable, durable and attractive, which also deserves due attention. This, of course, is possible subject to a competent selection of materials, proper surface preparation and high-quality laying of the cladding.

The process of creating countertops from tiles is carried out in several stages:

First, choose a tile suitable for such work. It should be aesthetically pleasing, as well as durable and reliable. Glazed tiles may be suitable for the kitchen.

Prepare the surface to be coated. They mainly use sheets of moisture-proof plywood.

Using screws, one sheet of plywood is fixed to the furniture body, after which it is covered with a layer of glue. Another plywood plate is laid on it, which is also fixed with screws. Plywood is pre-treated, for example, with bituminous mastic or a special moisture-proofing compound.
Having fixed the plywood sheets, their surface is covered with a masking grid with cells, the size of which is within 1-2 cm. To fix the mesh using a stapler.

Not only the front side is covered with a mesh, but also the edges of the plywood. They can either be covered with masking tape or glued over with burlap. The joints formed between plywood and the net are treated with sealant.

The resulting surface is prepared for subsequent tile laying. The lining can be laid directly on plywood, impregnated with a moisture-resistant composition.

Some specialists, however, additionally lay a special layer based on cement or a sheet of moisture-proof drywall. Installation and further processing of drywall are similar to the process of laying the top sheet of plywood.

If you plan to create a cement layer, then rails are fixed along the perimeter of the future countertop. They are dismantled after completion of work. Glue is usually added to the solution. Tiles can be laid only after the layer has completely dried.

To lay tiles more efficiently, markings can be made on the prepared surface according to the size of the tile. Work usually begins with the outer corner of the countertop.

Preliminarily think over what kind of appearance will be at the end of the structure. To decorate it, you can use the border. Laying out the first row of cladding in this case is carried out so that it forms a protrusion 1 cm wide.

By marking the surface, you can start laying tiles. A direct styling method may be suitable for this.
When the entire surface is lined, the resulting tile joints are sealed with silicone sealant. It will ensure tightness and, as a result, the durability of the countertops.

At first glance, grouting may seem like a simple and easy procedure. In fact, this is an extremely responsible and important work, since the final result directly depends on the quality of its implementation.
It is desirable to seal the tile joints with a mixture based on epoxy resin. Usually it has a rather thick consistency, so a syringe is often used to apply it. The mixture is usually leveled with a rubber spatula.

Before processing the seams, the tiles are carefully glued with masking tape. When all the seams are sealed and aligned, you can remove the masking tape. Upon completion of the drying of the composition, the tile is cleaned and wiped dry.