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Alternatives to 12x12 Granite Tile For Countertop?

12 years ago

Slab is out of our budget and I don't like the look of 12x12 tile. I can across this Granite Tilesolution. Has anyone dealt with this type of product? I've spoken to them on the phone and really don't forsee any problems. Thought I'd post up here first to see if anyone else had some thoughts or alternatives.

Thanks,

Jim

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Comments (8)

formerlyflorantha
12 years ago
There are much larger pieces of granite available for countertops. Try Kate-Lo in the Twin Cities--the outlet store has them.

Here is a link that might be useful: 18 x 26
angie_diy
12 years ago
The other common solution is to use 18x18 granite tiles laid on the diagonal. 18"*sqrt(2)=25.4", so you can cover the countertop with a single diagonal tile (plus half-tiles on the next row).
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You'd have to have another grout line on the depth. Just something else to consider (as if you don't have enough!). This is a problem with the 12x12's as well. If you look at the pic I posted up above, you'll see how I solved that problem. I "hid" the piece out front in plain sight. Instead of having the sliver in the back, I made 3" bullnose pieces as a "trim" accent to go all the way around the countertop. it works out well. They are very small. I butted each tile against the other and didn't use spacers. On the part of the counter that I use the most, the grout is always oily looking and wipes out after a few months of cleaning. I have to re-grout that section a couple of times a year. THANK YOU. Those of you who've been here a couple of years and seen me go through the arguments with people about why a small grout joint is needed, and that you can't butt the tiles together, this is the reason why. (or atleast the biggest of the several reasons)
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I think the first question is: do your tiles look dated? Be honest. Unfortunately tile looks don't seem to stand the test of time. We had the 12x12 tile in our kitchen demo-ed. I would say that it is VERY awful...we were moved out while that was going on. The demo-ing only took a couple of days though. In our case the tiles were extremely bonded to a concrete subfloor so I would guess it was worse than usual. OTOH, floors are too often neglected in kitchen renos. It's sad when people spend crazy money on cabinets and appliances yet leave dated floors in place. It's not good when you can *tell* that they left the old floors in place. My flooring budget (replacing the kitchen tile with hardwood and refinishing the hardwood in dining/living/hall areas) ended up being 25% of our kitchen reno budget! It was a huge hassle as we had to move everything out and we are a family of four. We had to find alternative accommodations for a week because the flooring area included our home entrance. But I would say it was a critical element to the kitchen reno and I have no regrets now that I'm on the other side. I don't imagine that grout refreshing will be simple or cheap either. $3000 sounds like a great price to me if it includes demoing the old grout. I would add to that budget the cost of moving items and staying out of the house during the demo part. I do love a white kitchen. Personally I would not choose a white floor to go with that - I agree with comments that a mid-tone would "ground" things better. I think earth coloured ceramic would look great if they were VERY good quality - some are quite vulnerable to chipping. I also love this look: If you're considering resale, do consider alternatives to tile if you do not live in a warm climate.
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If you are doing a 3cm slab, the tile AND ply must go. Pull some drawers out, look at the top of the cab boxes from inside: there should be screws etc. there holding the ply on. Undo them, and the top may come off in a single piece. If you don't see any heads, the ply may have been glued down, which you *may* be able to loosen with a heat gun, but more likely the ply was screwed from above. If so, [you may see protruding screw tips], the tile will have to go first. You'll need to pop them off with a chisel, and scrape back the thinset to reveal the screw heads. Frankly sounds like a nightmare! I'd track down the old contractor, ask him how he attached it...
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ginny20
12 years ago
My friend used 24 x 24" granite tiles, and it was gorgeous. With the bullnose edge trim, just one row makes a 25" counter, so you have very few grout lines. The grout lines are very small, and if you use a darker granite, the grout can be dark. She did mention, though, that the labor to install plus the trim pieces, which are expensive, made this not as much less than slab as you would think.

In my city, most tile stores also carry granite tiles - Tile Shop and Daltile (both national chains, I think) did, and the local guys, too. Tile Shop had installed displays, too.
debrak_2008
12 years ago
I got a price on bessimo(sp?) granite tile system and it was almost twice the cost of a slab.

Even HD now has trim for AB granite tile. If you can DIY it you will really save.

You can use ceramic tile edging to save $ over the granite edging.
kathec
12 years ago
I don't know where you are located, but a company in my area called Floor and Decor has pieces that are 18' x 31" along with the corresponding edges.

Another thing I saw recently is large porcelain tiles, where the color goes all the way through. The ones I saw resembled slate. Unfortunately, I can't remember where I saw it. On those tiles, they even used grinders to create custom bullnose for an undermount sink.

I'll attach a link for a old link from GW about large porcelain tile.

Here is a link that might be useful: porcelain tile counters
gmp3
12 years ago
Smithfarmer, PLEASE post pics if you use the EZ tile, I keep wanting to try it out on a project.
kawh707
12 years ago
my friend used 12X12 granite tiles and i love it. i think that the tiny grout lines bring more warmth to her counter than if it was just a big slab.
kawh
dmarie
12 years ago
The nice thing about the granite EZ Tops from Kate-Lo is that they are 18" wide, which makes it *much* easier if you are installing them yourself. The 24" wide tiles are big, heavy and very difficult to manipulate on a wet saw. I installed the EZ Tops myself in my kitchen and on my bay window in the Tan Brown color. I used black grout and a grout line that is tiny. Plus, I just used their polished squared edges. I didn't use the rounded trim pieces as they get a little fussy looking to me. They look fantastic. I will try to upload some photos later.

-dm

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