tile counter ?, from crazy-can't-pick-a-counter lady, + advice

16 years ago

Happy December, TKO'ers!

Why don't we see counters done out of small mosaic tiles, like the glass mosaic packages we can buy for backsplashes? Durability, cost, grout, fear of the little squares rising in visual rebellion...?

I may now be certifiable, but I'm having sugar-plum visions of making a counter out of these (leaving the backsplash fairly plain, of course).

Also, a point for all pre- or during- construction fellows: Take on one less committment than you know you can handle. We knew we could handle the construction. Knew we could handle guests. 3 sets. In a row. During construction. Over Thanksgiving. Had trouble handling baby getting sick while we had all that, and ending up in the hospital. She's home and her health is under-control now, but my take-away is: Remember to leave room in your life for additional crises, above and beyond the remodeling. Especially as the Christmas season nears. :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Glass mosaic tiles

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Comments (4)

plllog
16 years ago
Cate,

Try running your hand over some installed mosaic. It can feel really rough. I love the look, and have been thinking of it for the floor, but probably won't do it because I have tough feet and even so I notice it when I walk on it.

That's one reason it wouldn't be as great for a counter. It wouldn't be as smooth or flat as other tile, and might be a bit rough, even to the point of catching on your cloth or sponge. Glass mosaics are clipped and have sharp edges.

All that said, it would be functional enough. If you don't like grout you can also pour your own concrete and embed the mosaic in it.
rhome410
16 years ago
Could be pretty...Like a glittering fantasy kitchen from a story book...BUT, flour, grease, and crumbs spread throughout all those little lines of grout? Yikes, not for me. Plus, I like to knead and roll out doughs on the counter. When I want it clean, I like to glide the cloth over a nice, smooth surface and know spills and foreign objects are wiped away. Plllog has some great points.

So glad your baby is well now. Having sick kids is very stressful. I hope you get to enjoy the holidays, crisis free!
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glad
16 years ago
i don't "get" tile counters at all. uneven, grout to get dirty. i didn't even know people used tile til i started watching house hunters! i'm sure it would look pretty, but i don't see it as super-practical.
holligator
16 years ago
We have 4-inch tile counters in our current kitchen, and they are the only thing about the kitchen that I love. We bought the house this way and I probably would never have thought to choose this surface, but it has turned out to be great in the 11 years we have been here. The problems I had imagined with tile countertops (including those mentioned above) never materialized. They are sturdy, easy to keep clean, and provide a surprisingly smooth and level working surface. All that said, I wonder if the smaller tiles might magnify the issues of unevenness and grout to get dirty to the point that the problems that seem invisible to me now would be quite noticeable? I guess I'll never know, since we are going with soapstone in our remodel.

tile counter ?, from crazy-can't-pick-a-counter lady, + advice

Comments (4)

plllog

rhome410

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glad

holligator

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