However, its price is beyond the
reach of most ordinary homeowners. Pre-cut granite
countertops can cost as much as $60-$150 or more per
square foot, which can eat up a large part of a kitchen
construction and renovation.
To still achieve the elegance of
granite at a lower cost, there are so-called granite
tiles countertop. Granite tile countertops can look just as classy,
and they cost less than a third of the price of a whole
block of granite for a kitchen countertop.
Essentially, granite tiles are small,
1-square-foot cuts of the same stone, measuring about
three-eights of an inch in thickness. These are
installed either with or without grout, and some
do-it-yourselfers can even attempt to do the
installation themselves.
The procedure
Select the granite tiles you want
from the store. Since you are trying to make it look
like a whole slab as much as possible, choose the same
hue and pattern for all the tiles. There are certain
granite tiles which are easier to match, so it's best if
you pick each one carefully.
To install granite tile countertops,
you'll need a ¾-inch plywood sub-base. On top of this
will lie a tile-backing material named "Denshield".
Lastly, the granite tiles are set on top of the backing
material and nosing added to the edge of the counter.
What you'll need
The following are the materials
you'll need to purchase for a DIY granite tile
countertop installation project:
-Granite tiles. You can estimate the
number of tiles you need by multiplying the lineal
footage of 24-inch wide surfaces by 2.5. Add the granite
tiles required to cover the surface of islands and
subtract the area occupied by stoves, sinks, and other
built-in appliances. Get some extra granite tiles for
filling the spaces around built-in appliances. You can
always return unused pieces to the store.
-1 Quart polished-granite sealer for
treating the grout surfaces and the tile about a week
after installation
-A bag of thinset mortar (about $10
for a 25-pound bag); use white for light-colored tiles
and grey for dark tiles.
-A bag of unsanded grount (about $5
for a 5-pound bag). This is used for tile joints.
Unsanded grout is used to keep from scratching the
granite while grouting and is also easier to work into
the narrow grout lines.
-Fiberglass mesh tape, 1 roll
-A 2-inch margin trowel
-Plastic spacers to support the
backsplash tiles
-A grout float for spreading the
grout and for embedding it
-Caulk that matches the color of the
granite tiles
-A putty knife that measures 4 or 6
inches
-A quarter-inch notched trowel to
spread the thinset
-A honing stone for softening sharp
tile edges
The cost
For less than a third of what it
costs to install a full granite Type Of Kitchen
Countertop, granite tiles countertop are a practical alternative.
You'll spend approximately the same amount as having a
laminate countertop installed in your kitchen, but
you'll get the elegance of granite and earn compliments
from your friends.
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