Tiling an Island

Materials List:
Float
Notched Trowel
Mastic
Grout
Tile
End caps (if necessary)
Tile Cutter or saw
Bucket
Sponge

For Build Out (if necessary):
Wood pieces for building out
Drill or screwdrivers
Screws

In many island kitchens, the center island is covered in a laminate.

A good do it yourself project is to cover that laminate with decorative tile. It will add color and style to your kitchen. After picking out your tile, the first step is to do a dry fit. Simply lay out the tile on the top of the island to see if it will fit.

If there’s an overhang you have two choices: cutting the tile to fit and disturbing the decorative pattern or building out the corners to allow the tile to fit without cutting.  Depending on how much your tile overhangs the island, cut some one by two boards to make the extension. For example, if there is a two inch overhang, you want to cut the boards a little bit longer so that there will be a little space between the tiles for the grout line.

Once your borders are cut and screwed into the island, use a rotary sander to rough up the laminate so that the tile will stick to the surface. Use a notched trowel to spread the mastic or glue to the island’s surface. Then simply lay the tile leaving a 1/8” grout line between each tile.

In addition, you’ll be able to use specially made border tiles to finish the edge of the area.   After the mastic dries, it’s time to grout in the tile. You can buy grout in a variety of colors to match whatever project you’re working on. Just use a float and spread the grout all over the surface of the tile making sure that the grout fills in all the lines around the tile.

The grout will dry in a very short period of time. Once it is dry, take a damp sponge and rub all the excess grout from the surface. Now what you’re left with is a sealed counter top that looks really nice.