*
Home owner has come across rather nice 12″sq granite tiles for there kitchen counter, but that leaves me without any idea on how to trim out the countertop edge. Normally you can purchase trim tiles for such an application but these are floor tiles and therefore have no accessory tile that is meant for this purpose. I suggested a wood trim to cap and butt the tiles, but the homeowner would prefer to not use wood. Should I try to soften the tile edge with pummus and stone so there isn’t a sharp edge to brush up against and then just cut tile strips to create my own edge banding? They are thinking possibly even a stainless steel band, (oh boy!) my assumption is metal shop- small quantity- very expensive- whats the point? Am I wrong, I am looking for any and all suggestions, please humor me. Thanks, Matt
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
The RealTruck AMP Research Bedsteps give you easy access to your truck-bed storage.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
*
Matt,
There's an incredible amount of edge moldings available. They may not match perfectly, but you can find colors that will compliment or accent quiet easily.
The floor tile will be thicker than most moldings but you can install a small wood strip or other buildup around the edge to allow the two products to me at the same elevation.
Gabe
*Matt,For my own kitchen this summer, I came upon marble tiles. A color from the tile was selected and a maple strip was painted in high gloss and applied.It's one option.
*Gabe's got a good point.Do you have a local tile wholesaler? he'll have something that will look good.The metal makes me think they are going for a commercial look? There are metallic tiles available..Bill
*
Ron,
Thank You for the picture, It was excellent - absolutely excellent! Not only for my piece of mind, but I gave the home owners this address and they were more then pleased to not only see an option for edge molding but that they weren't the only ones brave enough to try something different with floor tiles. As I'm sure you might know, long hours and an abundance of everything else can tap you dry of creative ideas, it hadn't occurred to me to suggest painting the molding. I'll let you know what the final outcome is, and thanks again! Oh yeah, if you happen to read this, what was the width of the grout line between the tiles in your kitchen?
*
Try talking to your local cut-stone countertop manufacturer. They should be able to use the same granite used in your tile to come up with a stone edge cap or even use a different color/texture stone to give it that bold contrast as used in Ron's kitchen. (btw- great looking kit. Ron!)
gabe
*One builder I frame for has been using granite floor tile on his counters for a couple of years. After it is laid up the tile company sends a crew over with a type of grinder that rounds over the sharp edges and then they polish it out back to the original gloss. It looks really sharp. Might be worth a question to your favorite tile contractor.
*
Another idea, it would be a lot of cutting but you could band the counter with the same tiles by mitering the edge.
Just a thought.
*
I agree with Marshall. But instead of having a grinding and polishing crew in to make a mess could you plan the layout and take the material to the marble shop for cutting and finishing? Then you, or the tilesetter, put the puzzle together. Also, a contrasting or complimentary piece of real marble could be cut into any edge configuration, polished and installed as the nosing (or did someone already say that).
*Matt,Glad to be of help.I followed another thread on marble tiles and one of the fellas said that zero clearance between tiles was OK. I used 2 part epoxy glue swabbed onto the plywood substrate, pushed the tiles around to make them suck, and then used lacquer thinner to wipe the glue lines clean. Any epoxy missed can be carefully shaved off with a razor blade. I thought that would make a waterproof, plastic base for the pourous marble. So far - it's OK. Difficult to see any dirt and We have to catch stains fast or they become just a part of the marble veining. I figure this is my last kitchen remodel and should last 20 years.
*A friend used 12 x 12 granite for his kitchen counter top and it looks good and is way way cheaper than solid granite. Used a matching grout color and it worked well, but I like the zero grout option. Had the perimeter ground to a bull-nose - I think with a carbide router bit. Granite is a lot easier maintenance than marble - you don't have to worry about heat, oil, stains, etc. -David
*Two more options for you Matt...1) Use a Gibraulter or Corian band for the edge, it machines great.2) I just finished a marble fireplace with 12" tile and a 2" return back to the fireplace box. I used Schleuter metal edging (available at tile suppliers) where the 2 pieces met. I used brass but all colors and finishes are available. The one i used was roundover which made a nice smooth transition
*Out here on the left coast big (16x16) floor tile on the counters is the rage this week. The local tile suppliers stock a big selection of chair rail in more colors than you can imagine. Typically this is 1-2 inches in width, and anywhere from 6-13 inces long. I used some to trim out some 12" marble tile for our vanities, and it was pretty straightforward. Only problem was I had to pull my edge metal after the mortar bed had set and add some strips of hardie to the perimiter so the edge would be out enought not to drip in the drawers. Now that I look back that was probably unnecesary, I don't think enough water collects to worry about runoff.
*When you do the zero clearance method, do you seal the edges of the tiles as you lay them with something so moisture doesn't leak through to the substrate?
*Mark, I was informed that you can use normal mastic for the tiles, but if you are going to be creating zero clearance between the tiles that you need to swab two part epoxy on the sides, this is supposed to prevent any leaks between the tiles. For all those who gave me some advice Thank You, I ended up cutting the stone and then taking it to a tile house to have them cope down all the countertop edge tiles with a diamond router bit. For $6.00 a lineal foot the homeowner thought it was worth it, I'd say it looks great. Now that I've made the installation I would have to say 'its not difficult to see the difference between tiles and a slab, but the overall effect is nearly identical, let alone the reduction in price.' Thanks Again, Matt
*
So glad to find a message board with so many knowledgeable readers. I have an important question about design software. In a 1996 Fine Homebuilding edition, there was a great review of different software programs available for "cad" type design. But I am sure there have been a lot of updates. Can anyone suggest a good mini cad program that will give me good workable drawings for a new house and will not require a masters in cad-ology. I have tried some of the $39 deals but they are just for moving sofas around. Please advise as I am getting ready to design my house and I would like to go to a little higher technology than a pencil this time.
*
Home owner has come across rather nice 12"sq granite tiles for there kitchen counter, but that leaves me without any idea on how to trim out the countertop edge. Normally you can purchase trim tiles for such an application but these are floor tiles and therefore have no accessory tile that is meant for this purpose. I suggested a wood trim to cap and butt the tiles, but the homeowner would prefer to not use wood. Should I try to soften the tile edge with pummus and stone so there isn't a sharp edge to brush up against and then just cut tile strips to create my own edge banding? They are thinking possibly even a stainless steel band, (oh boy!) my assumption is metal shop- small quantity- very expensive- whats the point? Am I wrong, I am looking for any and all suggestions, please humor me. Thanks, Matt
*
Sonya, this topic has been extensively discussed on the board about every two months or less. You can get lots of information by doing a search of the board. Here are just a couple of recent discussions:
http://webx.taunton.com/Webx?128@@.eea3aa8
http://webx.taunton.com/Webx?128@@.ee928db
http://webx.taunton.com/Webx?50@@.eea7d44/0
Be sure to check out the free Intellicad package mentioned by several which is at:
http://www.cadopia.com/