How to Tile a Kitchen Island
- 1). Line up a piece of ¼- or ½- inch thick cement backer board with the wood top of your island. Use a pencil or a piece of chalk to mark the perimeter of the island on the board.
- 2). Score the board with a carbide-tipped tool along the marked perimeter lines and snap along the scored lines to get the backer board to fit over the plywood.
- 3). Measure the length of each of the four edges of the island. Cut a 2-inch wide piece of backer board to cover each of these edges.
- 4). Screw the backer board into the wood surface so that the screws penetrate the wood by at least 1 inch. The screws should sink below the surface of the cement board so that they do not scratch the underside of your tile. Attach the edge pieces as well.
- 5). Seal all joints between backer board pieces with mesh tape to prevent gaps in the installation.
- 6). Mix thinset adhesive and required additives per specific product instructions. The thinset should have the consistency of thin peanut butter when finished.
- 7). Spread a ¼- to ½- inch thick layer of thinset over the backer board with a notched trowel. Scrape the notched side of the trowel through the thinset to create ridges that will increase adhesion.
- 8). Start on the outside of your backer board and lay full tiles along the perimeter. For the tiles that touch the edges of the island top, extend them over the side by the thickness of a tile so that they will butt firmly against the edge tiles. Butt tiles as firmly together as possible.
- 9). Cut tiles as necessary with a tile cutter or a diamond blade wet saw. The tool necessary for cutting will vary by the material used to make the tiles. Install all top tiles.
- 10
Spread thinset over the edge pieces of back board and set the edge tiles so that they line up firmly with the top tiles. Use a piece of masking tape to attach the edge tiles to the top tiles, holding them in place while the thinset dries. Allow the thinset to cure overnight before continuing. - 11
Mix unsanded tile grout and water per product instructions. The grout will fill the tiny spaces between the tiles and prevent moisture leaking through to the backer board. - 12
Spread the grout across the tile surface (including the edges) with a rubber grout float. When the seams are filled, use a damp sponge to wipe excess grout from the tile surfaces. Allow the grout to dry overnight. If any hazy forms, buff it away with a dry cloth.
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