I was wondering if someone could give advice on trim and back splashes around a kitchen counter and island. My counter top is 12″ granite tiles(1/4″ thick) that have been set over two years ago on a 3/4″ plywood top. I have 4/4 red oak milled, but don’t know how wide a strip to cut them in. (3/4″? 1″?) What edge works best? 1/2″ round or 45 chamfer?
As far as the back splash…my builder has left me with a wall that has more waves then Miss Universe. Is there any way to hide the waves and have a straight back splash? What is a good height for a back splash?
Mike
Replies
Greetings mike, as a first time poster Welcome to Breaktime.
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again.
Perhaps it will catch someones attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
SanchoRon the caballero bowed low as he waved his sombrero and said goodbye.
FREE SANCHO!!!
If it were me.....I'd add a 1/4" CBU to straighten the back wall out using thinset behind it.
Go easy on the screw pressure....have a good 6' or better straight edge to see when to stop.
Use CBU screws (or you could use Piffin screws but....they're sorta galvanized....forget it...) CBU screws act at the head like a drill bit (they cut into the board unlike drywall screws) into the cement board so don't be pulling it in harder than you need to. Get it to where you need it and the next day after the thinset is rock hard you can bring the screws in exactly where you need em' to flush em' up.
I've made my own trim edges on a granite 12x12 tile counter I did (on the diagonal)
I cut a piece of cherry like the cab material with an L shape on the backside to wrap around the ply edge and added /glued and clamped and sanded the necessary extra to cover the ply, cbu, and tile.
Then I routed a bullnose on the front top edge.
Have fun
Be well
a...
Be well
a....
The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
Andy,
I don't have a lot of room behind the sink to go with the thinset and 1/4" CBU...then backsplash. Wall is out of straight 3/8" to 1/2" in some spots. With the high point right behind the faucet. Counter length is eleven feet.
If I go with the thinset, then the CBU, will a thin piece of oak with a cap scribed from the wall be a good alternative? Or will it make the wavieness(?) of the wall stand out more? I am obviously a novice at this...but I enjoy the challange. My wife on the other hand wants the job done.
Did you use a 3/8" or 1/2" bullnose?
Thanks for the help!
Mike
Mike,
Welcome to BT.
"My counter top is 12" granite tiles(1/4" thick) that have been set over two years ago on a 3/4" plywood top."........."As far as the back splash...my builder has left me with a wall that has more waves then Miss Universe"
Guess the two go hand in hand.
Like Andy said, find a way to get things straight if at all possible. Few things beat CBU and thinset for tile adhesion....not what you wanted to here?
While not the best way to do it, you have a few options, Given it will be a wet location, I have second thoughts about recommending mastic...but I've done it successfully if you grout the joints as the tiles are laid in with silicone, which basically seals everything in. By that, I mean, caulk the seams of the tile BEFORE it is placed, then wipe everything clean.
If it's not done 100% correct, all bets are off.
You could epoxy everything, but that could turn into a disaster if you're not fast enough...and don't have the right solvents to clean it all.
Anyhow, here are some pics of a back splash I did with mastic and Black RTV as "grout" on a wavy wall (12" granite tiles)...it can be done.
Jon
Edited 2/26/2005 6:35 pm ET by WorkshopJon
hi jon
nice job looks nice and neat ! one suggestion though if you dont mind
i always set my outlet boxes at 45" to the center of the box it seems to work out great for all tile patterns on your tile layout the outlet would have ended up centered on the 45 tile
Crosscutter,
GOOD words of advice. Hard to in my case as the elec. boxes and drywall were already in place. Tile was an after-thought......thanks to my wife's ever changing mind...
Did the best I could to balance it all out.
That's why the Pro's get paid what they do............experience.
But that's why I'm here.......and subscribe to FHB.
Jon
Edited 2/25/2005 11:37 pm ET by WorkshopJon
Jon ...
wow .. very nice.
The jbox layout advice is solid ...
but ...
U did a great job with the given.
I see wayyy too many tile installs where the whole idea of "turning the corner" is disregarded ... and I see mostly "pro" installs. And I'm comparing my "tile sub jobs" to others that are professional tile setters ... tile only guys.
yours is very nice indeed.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
The jbox layout advice is solid ..."
Jeff,
Yeah, I know... I never planned to tile that area, but the wife really wanted diagonal tile after everything else went in (dam that "Inspired House" magazine).
That was a first for me (tiling diagonally), and next time I'll heed your advice....... and make a sketch first.
BTW, the granite for the backsplash came from Ralph Wickland in Jacksonville FL, who had some friends make a side trip, and deliver it for free to me here in Wisconsin, on their way up to Door County.
BTW, I did give some of that Sprecher beer I brought over to Andy C's place for their trouble.....
Jon
BTW, I did give some of that Sprecher beer I brought over to Andy C's place for their trouble>>>>>
I'm still having hot flashs over that brew!!!The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
I remember reading about Ralph sending U some matching tile!
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
beautiful job Jon...well done son!!!
a...The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
Andy,
Thanks,
Read the above to Jeff.
Oh, and BTW, I'll be in NY the 4/21-4/25.
Sooooo....to quote my favorite Dem LOL, Beer is on the way.
Jon
Don't suppose you like smoked meat "products" do ya?....Maybe cheese?
Andy,
Boy you're fast..........didn't even read my post to you LOL, You must be Psychic......guess all that time up on Mead Mountain paid off.
Jon
Jon
I'll ssmoke anything but cigs....oh, you meant eat....sorry.
Yeh, I'll eat every here and there if its special....after all the only BBQ I ver had is/was a smoker.
Ever do that for Thanksgiving? I did it almost every year...Woke up at 4-5 AM got the smoker/steamer cookin' and popped the 20 pounder out...put it on the top grill and the tators on the bottom grill....only takes about 14 hours but damn!!!!! That poor turkey's flesh falls right offa its bones and is as juicy as......uhhhh... : )~The last 15 min. I throw some applewood chips on the coals to smoke the hell outta it....By the time its done I wanna fall asleep....lol.Hmmmm....might need to call David Doud before Cal Fest for some applewood chips.Later bro and....
BE well
a...
PS..Before you come let me know so I can get Shaggy over here to drink and eat with us..MAybe I'll have a new smoker by then and the pool ,,,,well....
Aprils kinda early for the pool.The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.