Countertop Granite Tile Project

We finally finished with our counterop project and awaiting our backsplash Travertine Tile to make it Complete! The COMPLETED Counter is here at the top. Here is our story of the project... and we would not classify this as a beginner project. On a scale from one to ten, I'd say it's a 10.

We had worked with tile before doing our basement bathroom floor, but this is 24X24 and very HEAVY! First, we had to remove the old formica, then plywood, mortar and place hardibacker board on top and screw it every 6 inches. THIS will not be removeable...! Then dry-fit the tiles, cut and make sure they all fit. Then mortar the tile down and try to get it level. This is tricky because it is hard to get the mortar all consistant throughout when you are putting it on the backer board like icing a cake!

We made up our own system of small shims for our spacers and used UNSANDED grout! You don't want sand to scratch the granite! We got all the tile at the Tileshoppe in Castleton and the corner and outside pieces are expensive, but well worth it to get this look! Here is a closeup of the tile... the color is called Jalor Cafe. They gave us Epoxy construction adhesive for the corners and side trim and said to use strong tape to keep them up!!! HAAAAAAAAA...yea right! As soon as you put them up then drop. You want them to meet up with the tile so we came up with this contraption! The books keep the wood pieces level and then you have to clamp the wood where the tiles meet...otherwise it'd be pretty JICK-JACK! The epoxy sets up overnight so the clamps can be You can see me smiling-but that was much closer to the end of the project!!! Oh, I think it was aftre 5pm too...so it was time for a drinky!!! ;)

Along the way we were delayed and had to buy a new dishwasher because ours stopped working and it would be $400 to repair! Hooking up the sink several times and forget to put a washer in the hose to reconnect it...which left a small drip and now I must repair my drywall ceiling in the basement! But my husband ROCKS! He is the best craftsman that I know and I love to help him. We work well together and it took lots of patience, believe me! But I have to thank him for a great kitchen :) and for taking a week off to do this project.

It took us all week + a couple weekends to complete this. We figured about 60 hours, if you figure going to the store and getting clamps several times!!! Granite is great to set HOT things onto. You have to seal it occassionally, I'd say mainly for the grout...but this really makes the kitchen look great. The next challenge will be our backsplash and then when we save enough $ we will put new floor tile and wood flooring in the living and dining room. I can't wait for that!