Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - How to build countertops?
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omahan
03-06-05, 10:01 AM
I am going to use marble tile for my countertops but am not sure how to build them. Is 1/2 inch plywood OK or should I use 3/4 inch? Also how thick should the dura-rock be and how is it adhered to the plywood? If I have a seam should it meet over a place where 2 cabinets but up or? Anything I forgot to ask??
Tileguybob
03-06-05, 12:07 PM
Stone needs a more stable substrate than if using ceramic tile so I would put two layers of BC grade 3/4" plywood, first layer screwed into braces and cabinet supports, second layer into the first, then 1/4" cement board set in thinset and screwed or nailed (with 1 &1/4" galvanized roofing nails, hot dipped if you can find them) into the second plywood layer. Put a coating of liquid waterproofing membrane over the exposed edges of the plywood in the sink cutout. Tape the seams of the cement board with mesh tape and flash with white modified thinset. Set the marble in the same thinset. If covering the exposed edges of the plywood and cement board with marble then cut strips of the cement board to width, predrill the screw holes and set in place with screws and thinset. If you can get back with the name of the marble someone will get back to you with the proper method of polishing the edges if you want to go that route.
Sawdustguy
03-06-05, 12:14 PM
[/B]Stone needs a more stable substrate than if using ceramic tile so I would put two layers of BC grade 3/4" plywood, first layer screwed into braces and cabinet supports, second layer into the first, then 1/4" cement board set in thinset and screwed or nailed (with 1 &1/4" galvanized roofing nails, hot dipped if you can find them) into the second plywood layer. [/B]
What would happen if the person wanted to remove the tops in a few years because they wern't functional? How would you get them off, if you're screwing into the supports, unless you're talking about the first layer should be screwed from the inside.
I would be hesitant upon using BC ply, as it's not a flat surface. You'd be better off using MDF and then attaching your cement board to that, as MDF is a lot straighter/flatter substraight.
I would put a nice solid wood edge on the face and set the solid wood high enough that when you put the tiles on, it comes flush with it. Then you can grout up to the solid wood.
What would happen if the person wanted to remove the tops in a few years because they wern't functional? How would you get them off, if you're screwing into the supports, unless you're talking about the first layer should be screwed from the inside.
I would be hesitant upon using BC ply, as it's not a flat surface. You'd be better off using MDF and then attaching your cement board to that, as MDF is a lot straighter/flatter substraight.
I would put a nice solid wood edge on the face and set the solid wood high enough that when you put the tiles on, it comes flush with it. Then you can grout up to the solid wood.
omahan
03-07-05, 11:38 AM
Thanks for the insights. I have three more questions.
1) I will tile the ends so is the cement board and tile enough of an overhang or should the plywood/MDF base overhang too. If so, how much?
2) When I tape and thinset the seams since its the same thinset as used for laying the tiles, can I lay the tiles before it dries? In other words can it all be done as one step?
3) Should my plywood seam be at a place where the cabinets butt up to each other or can it be anywhere it falls? I have a 2 foot base, an 18 inch base, then a 3 foot sink base and then a 2 foot dishwasher opening.
1) I will tile the ends so is the cement board and tile enough of an overhang or should the plywood/MDF base overhang too. If so, how much?
2) When I tape and thinset the seams since its the same thinset as used for laying the tiles, can I lay the tiles before it dries? In other words can it all be done as one step?
3) Should my plywood seam be at a place where the cabinets butt up to each other or can it be anywhere it falls? I have a 2 foot base, an 18 inch base, then a 3 foot sink base and then a 2 foot dishwasher opening.