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Granite Tile Countertops - Affordable Elegance
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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. 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 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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Source: 中国石材网
