Porcelain tile for Kitchen countertop?

Question

I am thinking of using the large 24 x 24 porcelain tiles with tight grout lines for my kitchen remodel.  Anyone out there done this?  Pros/Cons?  Love it or Hate it?  Easy to install?

Dee · Answer

I have used large procelain tiles. They are hard to set because of the weight. If you use the little level method they will set better. the white plastic X's will not work. The tiles tend to sink into the thin set. I have small grout lines and although I love the finished product we finally went with the experts after replacing the tiles twice. My floor guy told me that these are the hardest tiles for DIYers. Make sure your surface it level and good luck.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Porcelain tile is to soft for counter. I suggest you use this for walls but not for counter. It will dull up fast and will scratch with the slightest movement of a glass dish on its surface.

Dee · Answer

sorry I read your post quickly. I used this for a floor and it was terribly hard to install because of weight and size,if you are doing a countertop go to Lowes, Home Depot, floor and Decor oR floral for living because they are the best. Small grout lines and a great guarantee. I think granite or siltstone or engineered stone would be best for countertop and that you will be happier not cleaning grout on your kitchen counter.

Kim Hall · Answer

I like the idea after seeing one at a local tile store! I would go with marble or granite tiles if price isn't too big of a deterant! You can also butt your tiles one next to the other with very very small grout lines. just make sure to get the best sealer possible from your tile store. the kind you spray on right after grouting is the best! good luck :)

One Man and A Hammer, Inc. · Answer

Libbie, porcelain tiles have a surface that's virtually indestructible. The person that stated the porcelain tile is too soft couldn't be any further from the truth. I have used porcelain for many applications including commercial & industrial areas. It also cleans up easily.
Using marble on a countertop is a HUGE mistake, it's way too porous and requires much maintenance. I have installed thousands of square of tile and I promise you that the porcelain is a great choice. 
Concerning the grout joints, I agree that the large grout joints are installed by hacks - those that pretend to be professionals! For your application, use a 3/16' grout joint and DO NOT use those idiotic spacers! If it looks good to your eye, then it looks good to everyone. Use a grout that has a powdered additive already in the grout. NOTHING is stain-PROOF, NOTHING. the great news is that grout can easily be scraped out and replaced for those areas that get stained.
Lastly, I had tile on my counters for 11 years without any problems. My wife is a bit of a clean freak. Had the counters become a cleaning nightmare I would've have been put out with the garbage. The tiles were porcelain and the grout had a latex additive mixed in - problem solved. Some people post their opinions, not facts, and it irks me. They haven't a clue what really works and what doesn't. BTW... I have porcelain tiles as on of the counters in my showroom AND procelain tile all over the floors.
Feel free to email me if you've any additional questions.

Good luck,
Bob

Darryl & co · Answer

I would use it. This tile is dense and if you are using it on the floor it would be great and if you are using it on your counter it is okay. Take your time and install it the best you can and you will be pleased. Most tiles are able to be used if you install them correctly. Take a breath, do it right and you will be proud of your project. If you like it then it is meant for you. Go for it. It will be alright.

Shari · Answer

Since bathroom fixtures are made out of porcelain, I would agree that it is a tough surface. Look around at all the old toilets available that are decades old.

Small Talk Mama · Answer

I think the tiles will hold up fine on your counters, but the grout lines (no matter the size) will be a pain to keep clean. The tiny food particles and such will suprisingly be difficult to keep out of those lines.

Leona G · Answer

I did a counter top with a mix of 6x6 and 12x12 tiles with a small grout line. The grout that I purchased had a built in sealer which was a big help. The biggest problem that I had was the bull nose on corners. The people at Lowe's were very helpful with answers and advice as this was my first DYI tile counter top. I like my laminate in my kitchen, not sure I would want tile or granite. Good luck, and take the time to make sure your base is square and level to make the installation easier.

Tammy@Deja Vue Designs · Answer

We did this in a kitchen once and were quite happy with it.   I would suggest epoxy grout.  It won't stain and wipes clean very easily.  Small. .. tiny grout lines are the best ina kitchen for sure

Satchmo · Answer

I agree with the others that grout lines are a pain to keep clean of debris and very unsanitary for a kitchen counter.  If your tiles are even slightly beveled on the edges, crumbs and liquids will quickly get into the grout lines.  If your tiles are not beveled, you have small grout lines, and you seal the grout well, it may be worth it.  You may want to consider granite tile, with a very small grout line.  It is somewhat cheaper than going with granite.  Hope this helps.

Nola Zusi · Answer

I used smaller porcelain tiles in a previous home on my kitchen counters and LOVED them. They were very durable, I could put hot pots directly on the tile, they were easy to keep clean. That said - the grout can be harder to keep clean. We used a sandy/grey colored grout (the color of dirt....) and it worked well.

Kimberly Meadows · Answer

I have granite 12x12 tiles on my counter tops and I LOVE them... I can put anything on them straight out of the oven and they clean up great. Make sure you do a butt joint so that you do not have a bunch of grout lines... everyone thinks it is a slab until they get up close then they realize it is tile. Butt joints will give you NO lines and then you seal everything with a sealer and you are good to go.

Tabby · Answer

The larger the tile, the more absolutely FLAT and LEVEL your surface and mortor must be. You have to use cement backer board under the tile -- just using MDF won't work because any speck of moisture that gets through grout will cause the MDF to swell and pop up your tiles. Cement backer board is VERY HEAVY and will add a lot of weight to your counters -- make sure your kitchen floor can handle the weight if you have a 'vintage' home. (So is Granite, etc.) Honestly when I see really large tiles on a counter top, I think the flipper/remodeler just wanted to get it done fast as possible and using large tiles takes less time. But it always looks awkward and 'cheap', in my opinion. [Granite tiles look OK because they are butt jointed and usually the grout lines are 'invisible'.]

Bret M · Answer

Libbie, 
As a professional remodeler, I have seen many different countertops over the years. Everything ranging from laminate, solid surface, tile, synthetic stone, real granite or marble to cement. The only thing constraining you is your desire for a certain aesthetic and your budget. I am personally a fan of granite, but that is just me. Pick what you want and just bear in mind that each surface must be treated in a way that best protects and preserves it. Use the correct cleaning materials and process.

Mikell Paulson · Answer

I would never put marble in a kitchen! Vinegar or anything with vinegar in it can cause it to etch the marble. Be sure to ask an expert or buy a tile and put some vinegar on it or pickle juice on it!

Gail lichtsinn · Answer

I used porcelin tile for a conter top and it was a MISTAKE..It is soft it stains it cracks and the grout even when sealed can mold over night and even with sealer the grout can stain..I took a hammer and now its gone..I too was told it would hold up and was tough enough but it wasnt.

Pat · Answer

I had ceramic tiles with a medium grout spacing in a kitchen. Clean up was not a problem. That wider spacing prevented trapped crumbs. The grout was mixed with a medium dark color (taupe I guess) so staining was not an issue. We just practiced sensible hygiene.

Becca · Answer

We installed 12' porcelain tiles on our countertops & island and edged them with travertine & also a travertine backsplash. After the grout had cured we sealed all the lines as well as the crevices in the travertine. It has been 2 years now & no problems. It is beautiful & the first thing people mention when they come in our kitchen. We especially enjoy it because we did it ourselves!

CapStone Home Renovations · Answer

Use epoxy grout and eliminate the grout issues.

Lornnknaus · Answer

Yes to Above, synthetic epoxy grout, the Grey is my favorite- Porcelain is The way to go for durability, hard stuff to cut as tile goes, Use a new Tile saw Blade.

Libbie B · Answer

Okay, everyone has been mentioning Epoxy grout. My separate question is about my bathtub. In Jan/13 we had our bathroom professionally remodeled. They installed a soaker tub (shown below). The grout line where the wall and the tub deck meet along the front and down the side by the window developed a crack a few months ago. We had them come back in and re-grout it. There is now a hairline crack in it again. Would epoxy grout help this? My fear was the tub needed to be reinforced they insisted it did not. What would be causing this? It was quite expensive and the crack (although small) is driving me crazy.

Cheryl Witte · Answer

Thank you for all the helpful comments.  I have to say we are installing our porcelain tile counter top this weekend.  I have been using one of the tiles as a hotspot by the stove for the last 4 months, while we did the rest of the kitchen work, and it has held up very well--did not stain, scratch or crack.  Some idiot put fake linoleum flooring on my counters, can't wait to get the tiles installed. What I was researching was the grout.  Again thank you for all the comments and information.

Johanne Clerie · Answer

Cheryl, make sure you post pictures so we can admire your new kitchen!

Tile and Stone by Villagio · Answer

I love this, be sure to update us with photos as the remodeling goes on!

Sue Anne · Answer

I used porcelain ceramic floor tiles for a kitchen remodel in 1996. When we went to sell the house in 2012, they looked like new. Easy to clean, very durable. Used a dark grey with a similar grout color. All the realtors recommended updating kitchen to sell the house with of course granite. The house I bought has marble in the kitchen which is terrible!!! I'm ready to use the floor tiles.

PB · Answer

I put porcelain tiles down over old linoleum countertops. I used 6' tiles from my daughter's kitchen redo. I butted the tiles right up against each other as close as possible. Then just spread the grout over the tiles then washed off. Lotsnof washing g and wringing out sponges, but 15 years have gone by and they still look great. I spray them down once a week with a bleach and water mix. In between, I just use a soapy bar rag and rinse them. I think 15 years is a pretty good run, especially for an first time effort.

Libbie B · Answer

I thought I would update this post. We did indeed tile the countertops with the 12 x 24 tile I loved so much (against the advice of some), and 2 years later I ended up replacing the tile with quartz. I hated the grout lines. They were indeed very hard to keep clean even though we butted them as tight as possible and the tile itself chipped anytime something was dropped on it.

Jacquelyn · Answer

I did exactly that.  My area was huge and solid surface would have cost as much as my new cabinets.  So I did LG. Tile.  Turned out fantastic.  Very durable, easy to clean.  I used grout the same color as the tiles, which made the surface look like a solid piece.

Ask34178129 · Answer

I'm looking at using porcelain barnwood style floor tile planks for my kitchen counter. Looks stunning. Manufaturer's sheet says can be used for floor, wall or countertop. I'm hesitating because this style of tile tends to have a slight texture, slight bumpy feel to them. They are glazed & samples we've tried seem to clean ok. I like porcelain tile: I can put hotpots on them, are 30% stronger than granite, low maintenance. But what about the slightly textured ones & matte finish? Any takes/experience on this?

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