Countertop tile ideas
Various Countertop Tile Ideas
When you are building a home or you are planning to replace a destroyed countertop, you need a few ideas on the changes that you are going to make. First off, you need to know the pattern or the design you want. You may also choose every shade and color that you want for your new kitchen counters.
The size of your countertop may also be a thing to look into. When it comes to countertop tile ideas, there are actually a lot of options which you can choose from. You just need careful planning and pondering on the design that you really want.
Countertop Tile Ideas: Use of Ceramic
One of the most popular countertop materials that are being utilized these days is the ceramic. Ceramic tiling can provide you with various shades, textures, and patterns that make up a bigger picture. It is also a beautiful material which offers much durability. Because of the use of grout to connect each tile, a beautiful mosaic appeal comes out.
If you are saving much on your countertops, then choosing the ceramic tiling can help you save much because it does not require you to hire another person for the job. Generally, it is very easy to maintain and it is not affected by heat and humidity.
Countertop Tile Ideas: Use of Wood
Perhaps one of the best countertop tile ideas would be the use of wood. It has a very natural appeal and it provides a 'homey' feel. Over the years, the use of wood for countertops has maintained its popularity.
Home owners find wood as a perfect natural palette for their kitchen; and they see it as an element of warmth and elegance. The only drawback seen in the use of woods is its vulnerability to moisture and heat. Because of which, irreparable damages can be expected if not cared for properly.
Countertop Tile Ideas: Use of Stone
Countertop tile ideas with regards to the use of stone are the most widely used item these days. Being the most expensive option, it never fails to give you the best quality. The durability and beauty of the stone countertops are truly worth its price. Consumers often have several countertop tile ideas when they decide to use stone because there are a number of varieties which you can choose from.
They may come in the form of marble, granite, or engineered stone. The results can only promise you much functionality and instant sophistication as well. It is often named as the pinnacle of countertops because of its resilience plus its beauty which can actually last for generations.
Countertop supports
Where to Purchase Countertop Supports
If you need to buy countertop supports, which are the beams and other supporting devices that are used to hold the countertops steady and secure, there are a few companies in particular that you are going to want to check out, and which will be discussed to you here in detail.
Kitchen Source
The Kitchen Source is one of the best places to visit if you are looking for countertop supports. They have been in the business for nearly half a century now and time and experience has allowed them to select some of the finest quality merchandise from top manufacturers around the world.
They have employed a highly knowledgeable customer service and sales team, and their product specialists are always around for your convenience to answer any questions that you may have.
Support Brackets
This is another company that you may want to consider if you are looking for countertop supports. They offer not only a great selection of countertop supports but as well various other kitchen remodeling equipment and tools. They are proud to offer high quality cantilever support brackets that will easily support more than 1,000 pounds and they are the perfect solution for creating versatile computer workstations, garage storage shelving and more.
Ikea
If you want some funky, unique countertop supports, Ikea is a great company to check out. Surely you have heard of them before, as they are one of the most popular home hardware retailers in the world. Their prices are also very affordable so you do not have to worry about going broke over countertop supports.
Remodeling your kitchen should not only be considered important, but also a heck of a lot of fun. You should enjoy yourself while you are designing and redoing your kitchen, especially when it comes to your countertops because they are one of the most major focal points of any kitchen.
This is not a decision that you want to rush into, and if you need help, keep in mind that there are many available professionals out there who are going to be more than willing and able to help you out with this and even walk you through the entire process if that is what you need. Take advantage of all the help you can, to ensure that the process goes as smoothly for you as possible and make sure that you choose the right countertop and that it all turns out great for you.
Countertop materials
Countertop Materials of Stone, Wood, and Ceramic
There is such a wide range of Countertop Materials available in the market, that it is difficult to make a choice. However, one has to look at the advantages and disadvantages of the materials and the suitability for your kitchen and your own needs. There are differences in price, durability, and maintenance.
Stone-based
One of the best Countertop Materials is undoubtedly granite, if expense is no concern. It makes your kitchen look elegant and even the most modest kitchen starts looking beautiful with granite. It is heat-resistant and has a range of about three thousand colors, and is durable, trouble-free and maintenance free. But it is expensive and some stones tend to absorb stains.
Engineered Stone is very similar to granite and is also one of the expensive Countertop Materials. It is made up of quartz particles and the color range is larger than granite. It resists scratches and is easy to maintain.
For stone-based Countertop Materials there are soapstone and marble counters as well. Soapstone is very smooth and has a dark gray color. It has a rich, deep color and is stain-resistant, but needs regular maintenance with applications of mineral oil.
Marble is definitely classy, mainly because of its price. . Since it is one of the most luxurious Countertop Materials, it is used just on an island or an inset at a baking center in the kitchen. It is waterproof and heatproof, but it requires constant maintenance.
Ceramic Tile
The most popular of the Countertop Materials is the ceramic tile which is easy to maintain and durable too. For the average home it is the ideal choice, because it is affordable and a very practical choice for countertops as it can take hot pans. Its installation is easy too.
There is a large variety of colors, textures and designs available in ceramic tiles. Custom-designed tiles are expensive, and the counter surface is often uneven. The tiles can crack or chip and the grout lines become stained which makes it look ugly. But it is possible to replace the tiles, which cannot be done for other Countertop Materials.
Wood-based
Laminates are made of plastic-coated synthetics, and are relatively easy to maintain. The surface is smooth, and the pieces can be cut to size and finished on the ends. Laminates are one of the most inexpensive Countertop Materials, and they are quite durable, but not as much as granite or ceramic. There is a vast range of colors and designs available to match your kitchen cabinets. Laminates are prone to scratches and chips, but they are not possible to repair.
Many hardwoods are used as Countertop Materials lending the kitchen a warm and beautiful look. Maple and oak are the commonly used countertop woods. They are easy to clean, but can be easily damaged by water or stains.
Steel and Concrete
Stainless steel is used often as one of the Countertop Materials for big kitchens. The material is heat resistant and very durable. The countertop can be totally seamless, because it is fabricated according to size. Therefore it is expensive and may be noisy too.
Concrete Counters also belong to the high price tag of Countertop Materials, because it is generally cast right in your kitchen. It is resistant to heat and scratch and looks exotic and unusual. But it may not look beautiful, as it has a somewhat industrial look.
Laying granite tile countertop
Tips on Laying Granite Tile Countertop
Just like the ceramic tile, laying granite tile countertop is quite easy, except for the edges. That is why the first decision that you have to make is to decide how the countertop will be finished. There are several options for the edges while laying granite tile countertop. They are the custom made bullnose edge, a polished square edge, wood trim, a complementary ceramic rail or cap or a manufactured metal profile made for tile installations.
Edges
The bullnose edge is normally made by a company which specializes in polishing stone. The tile is first rounded over and then polished, so that it matches the finished side of the tile. A face piece is fixed on the front of the countertop and the countertop looks thick with a polished edge and rounded at the corners.
Another option for the edges before laying granite tile countertop is to use the square polish. The result is similar to the bullnose option, but the edges are square. To finish the countertop edge sometimes wood moldings can be used. You could also have ceramic tiles and have granite tiles installed inside the ceramic pieces. Metal edges are often used to develop to finish tile edges.
Setting Pattern
After the edges have been decided, the actual laying granite tile countertop is considered. Kitchen countertops have a standard depth and all granite tiles are exactly 12 inches by 12 inches and are butted together with a very fine grout seam.
For laying granite tile countertop in a very good kitchen, the tiles will either have a diagonal or a diamond pattern. The cuts at the back are generally small, if the kitchen cabinets are a standard size. If you have the right wood molding or a ceramic rail on the front edge, you do not need the small remainder cut at the back. You could make any other design, by using your imagination and creativity, so that the cut at the back can be spared and yet the beauty of the stone remains.
Underlayment
Once the seal is grouted, you have to look at the underlayment while laying granite tile countertop. This should be made of a quarter-inch cement board which is attached with adhesive and screws to fabricated wood base countertops. The seams in the board should be taped and filled with setting mortar.
Bedding the Tiles
Bedding the tiles is an important part of laying granite tile countertop. Applying the thinset, then creating the mortar bed for the tiles have to be done carefully. Each tile has to be carefully bedded and the alignment has to be perfect.
The calculation of the number of tiles that you need is according to the footage and the width of the tiles. If you have wide peninsulas or islands in the kitchen, they too have to be calculated. Besides, you have to subtract the areas for cook tops, stoves, sinks or other built-ins. Keep some extra tiles on hand, because there may always be some breakage and miscuts during laying granite tile countertop.
Counter top paint
Counter Top Paint: How to Apply it
Counter tops are already a beautiful add on to your kitchen. Aside from its appeal, it gives you the benefit of saving space and of having an area where you could do anything that you need for food preparation. To have better counter top effects, you need to paint it to achieve a more vibrant appeal. The counter top paint can also serve as a protective coat on your counter tops. By painting them with the matching colors that you like, you'll be able to give them a better look plus you can protect it from any unwanted damage.
Counter Top Paint and the Other Things You Need
If you decide to paint your counter top on your own, then you need to get things organized first, the first step would be gathering all the materials you need to avoid any delay in time after you've started the counter top paint job. You need to look for the following items on a hardware store and canvass its prices to make you save more; here are the things you would need: water, ammonia, sandpaper, bonding primer, paint rollers, polyurethane sealer and any choice of color for your perfect counter top paint. If you have everything ready, then you can start beautifying your counter tops right away.
There are measures you need to do before applying your counter top paint. First off, you need to cleanse the counter area with half ammonia and half water solution. You have to rinse it well and let it dry for a couple of hours. After which, you need to sand the surface of the countertop to take the shine off but not the color.
The second step would entail rolling the primer and let it stay overnight if you can. Remember to stay away from the bubbles as it might cause an ugly blemish if you start to paint. Counter top paint can then be applied after a day's wait. You have to apply three full coatings and dry the paint thoroughly after each painting.
The fourth step would be applying the clear polyurethane sealer using two to three coats. Like the counter top paint, you need to dry every after one coat of the sealer. Lastly, you have to wait for a period of twenty-four hours before you can utilize your new counter top area.
Counter Top Paint: Some Tips and Warnings
During the application of a counter top paint, you need to remember a few tips and tricks to guide you in the painting process, and these are: tape off the areas which you wouldn't want to paint on, the kitchen could not be used for a couple of days while you are painting, allow proper ventilation to the area by opening windows, avoid chemical counter top paint reactions by wearing mask, gloves and goggles; and lastly, protect the newly painted area by avoiding scratches and stains.