Comments on: How to Install a Granite Tile Countertop

By: Ben Erickson

Ben Erickson — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:04:12 +0000

Hi Mike,
If you cut the countertop back on each side, you’ll still have an overhang from the thickness of the cement backer board plus the granite tile (1/2″ + 1/4″ = 3/4″ approximately).
Ben

By: Mike Pederson

Mike Pederson — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:17:37 +0000

Danny, thanks for your help. If I cut the countertop back 1/2″ on each side I won’t have any overhang on the edge. Will this look odd? Rather than running a 1″ strip of mosaic could I run a 1″ strip of same tile down the center instead of one side? Thanks

By: Ben Erickson

Ben Erickson — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:54:58 +0000

Hi Mike,
You could add a 1″ wide mosaic strip down the middle of the top, or trim half an inch off each side of the existing countertop before attaching the backer board. You may also be able to find wider tiles and cut them down to the size you need.

By: Mike Pederson

Mike Pederson — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:19:24 +0000

I am preparing to put granite tile on my counter top. I have a peninsula counter which is 24″ wide. With backer board applied to the edges plus nose tile and grout it becomes about 25″ wide. Question is two tile wide is only 24″ how do I address the remaining 1″? Thanks for your help.

By: Ben Erickson

Ben Erickson — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:17:29 +0000

Roxanne,
Unless you’re using a special stainproof grout, you should grout first, allow the grout to dry thoroughly, then apply sealer to the grout.

By: Roxanne

Roxanne — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:10:00 +0000

Ben,

Thank you. They are getting lighter. One more question, when I grout…should I seal first….or grout and then seal after? I have heard both. Thanks in advance.

By: Ben Erickson

Ben Erickson — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:24:02 +0000

Hi Roxanne,
If the granite tiles were all the same color before you laid them, it’s probably moisture from the thin-set and should go away after a few days or so.

By: Roxanne

Roxanne — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:25:45 +0000

Layed the granite tiles on Sunday. On Monday noticed that several of the tiles are very dark. Is this moisture in the tiles. All the others are pretty good. On this section, we had opened a new tub of the thinset. Could it just be that there was more moisture in that tub? Will this dry and go away or do I have a real problem? I used the exact same stuff for the whole project. Very frustrated.

By: bob

bob — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:27:17 +0000

How do you cut the plug holes in the granite backsplash?

By: peter

peter — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:09:33 +0000

What is the best way to attach crown moulding bull nose to the edge of the kichen counter tops