Tile a Bathroom Vanity Top
Adding a tiled counter top to your vanity can change the whole decor of your bathroom. With the hundreds of tile patterns on the market today you can match or create any style you like. You can install a beautiful sea scene or border for your counter top with no more work than plain tile. With so many choices, the hardest part of tiling is picking out the color, design and texture you want. With a little bit of work, you can create a bathroom vanity top that's beautiful and durable.
Instructions
1. Remove the sink and old vanity top if there is one. It is very important that your vanity be level. Using a 4 foot level, check front to back and side to side. Use shims underneath if it is out. Once you have it level measure for your plywood. The top can be the same size as your vanity or an inch larger in the front and on both sides. If you have purchased a new sink it would have come with a pattern to cut the opening. If you are reusing a sink place it upside down on the plywood where it needs to be for the plumbing. Trace around it. Measure from the edge of the sink to the inside. For example, let's say that is 2 inches. Measure 2 inches inside your trace mark and draw the cut out again. This is where you would cut for the sink. Use a drill to make a whole large enough for your jig saw blade to fit in and then cut the opening for your sink with the jig saw.
2. Place a water resistant barrier over the plywood. Trim it to just hang over the edges of the wood, both on the outside and in the opening for the sink. Measure the backerboard to the same size and the plywood. You can cut the backerboard by scoring it with a utility knife and bending it over. Place the backerboard on top of the plywood and go inside the vanity and trace out the sink opening. Depending on the color of your backerboard, you may have to use chalk. Take the piece off and cut the opening for the sink with a utility knife. Put it back on and screw down with cement screws.
3. Check the level again. Sometimes the plywood or backerboard is slightly off and you want to make sure you have it level. The vanity should have pieces of wood to attach the counter top to. Make sure you have the back butting up against the wall tight. Once you have it all level and square, attach the counter top to the vanity. Place some wide painters tape from 1/2 above the counter top up the wall to prevent thin set or grout getting on it.
4. Mix the thin set according to the manufacturers directions. Start at a front corner and work your way back. Place a V-cap tile on the edge to see how far back you need to put the tiles. The V-cap tiles are the tiles that go over the edge and cover the front and sides of the wood and backerboard. Put the thin set on the backerboard and spread with a notched trowel. Don't put on too much at a time or it will dry out before you get to it.
5. Place your tiles and put spacers between the V-caps. 1/8 inch is good for small counters, but you can use larger ones if you want to. Push the tiles down gently and when you get to the third tile, pull up the first and make sure you have at least 80% of the tile covered in thin set. Then just put it back. When you get to the back and around the sink you will have to cut the tile. In the back, measure for the straight cut. When your cutting for the sink opening, turn the tile upside down and trace the opening on it. Then slowly cut the tile with a wet saw. Repeat until you have covered the entire counter. Install the V-cap tiles around the outside. You can use duct tape to hold the tiles in place until the thin set starts to harden by taping to a tile on the top. You can also use a board under the V-cap tiles by clamping it to the vanity. Allow to dry for 24 to 48 hours.
6. Pull out the spacers and mix the grout. It is best to use an unsanded grout on a wet surface. You can buy it premixed or in a powder that you mix with water. It also comes in many colors so you can compliment your tile. Place a small pile of grout on the tiles and using a tile float, push the grout across the joints. Make sure you fill all of the openings between the tiles and the tile and the wall. On a small counter top you should be able to grout the whole thing before you wipe it with the sponge. Use clean water and a large sponge to go over the tile and the grout. This will clean up any excess grout and give you a nice clean grout line. The unsanded grout has a tendency to shrink when it dries and may have to be repeated. Look for tiny cracks or a pulling away from the tile when it is dry. If you see these, put a second coat of grout on. Allow it to dry according to the manufacturers directions. It usually takes about 24 hours to completely dry.
7. Clean off the tile and grout well by using a soft brush and then wiping again with clean water and a sponge. Let it dry for about an hour and apply tile and grout sealer. You can buy a liquid or a spray on sealer. The liquid sealer can be applied with a sponge and you should put on at least 3 coats, allowing it to dry in between. Make sure to get in into all of the grout joints and down the V-cap too.
8. Put in a self rimming sink. Put a bead of caulk down where the rim of the sink will sit. This will prevent water from running down a grout line and into your vanity.
Tags: your vanity, have level, sure have, tile grout, V-cap tiles, according manufacturers