Is This Granite Countertop Install Going To Be OK?

ColinOpseth

Hey guys, great site you have here.

I am redoing a countertop. I braced the cabinets 6" on-center and added corner bracing. I used 3/4" BCX plywood, skim coat of thin-set and 1/4" hardibacker. I am using a black granite 12"x12"x1/2" tile.

Do you have any other suggestions? I've done a couple of minor remodels but never set tile. I am using a 1/4" trowel but am not sure if I should back-butter the tile only or thin-set and stick.

Thanks for your input.

genecarp

THINSET AND STICK, flexbond or reg thinset with additive

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kevjob

we use marble and granite because it is white and has no chance of bleed through and it is a medium bed mortar which helps in no sagging with heavy tiles.

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Kevin
Basement Finishing Highlands Ranch Colorado
Littleton Colorado, Basement Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling Denver

frescollc

Colin,

I would recommend back buttering the tile just to be safe. Countertops get a lot of use and the customers are right on top of it, looking at it every day and you don't want a tile staring to pop off or sounding hollow when they put something on it.

I almost always recommend slab granite tops because that is my business, but I have installed tile c-tops as well. Sounds like you are either using "Black Galaxy" or "Tan Brown" granite. I would recommend a gray or black grout. I don't know if you planned on sealing the tile but I would recommend "Miracle 511" sealer from Home Depot. It's a great product and easy to use. You could either charge the customer for sealing their tops if it wasn't included in the original bid or you could just "throw it in" and earn some brownie points. Either way you come out ahead.

Hope this helps.

Mario

MattCoops

Seems like you took enough care for detail in your prep work.
All tile work is 90% prep.
Just make sure you take time to prepare your layout before mixing any thinset.
It takes me an hour or so to dry lay a layout on a counter and bring the homeowner in to ask: "do you like it like this?"
Cus once it's laid, it's a pain if they don't like a cut here, or a dutchmen at the sink.

Oh, and a quality modified thinset is good to use. I'd use gray thinset if it's dark grout, and white thinset if it's light grout.
Being granite, a white thinset isn't really going to bleed. If it's marble or travertine it may be an issue.

What are you using for sink rail pieces? Or excuse me, "edge profiles"

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Matt with Cupan Custom Tile & Paint of Lowell, Massachusetts
Design and installation of ceramic tile and natural stone for floor, wall, and countertops
(978) 601-8774 | cupantile@gmail.com | view tile pictures and more