there are several in the finished kitchens blog

Here is a link that might be useful: FKB - Tile counters

Thanks, glad. I've looked in the Finished Kitchens and saw really only one glazed ceramic tiled counter (in white). I am hoping that Bill V or others here might be able to help?

Although solid tops are the most popular, there have been quite a few people on this forum going with tile. Re pix: Ask me in about 6 weeks. We are going with rectified porcelain which means more tile and less grout, thus avoiding a counter that will tip your glass. I hope.

Hi, Sarah! Sorry I don't have pictures to offer, but I'll try to describe this in a way that you can draw a good mental image. Two of my very young/still single sons renovated an old house together. Needless to say, they did it on a shoestring budget and chose many materials for purely economic reasons. However, I will tell you (very proudly!) that the result was a knock-out.

They kept the antique cabinets with full-inset doors which were still in rock-solid condition. They demolished the wall between the postage stamp-sized kitchen and the adjacent dining room, building a dogleg peninsula to separate the two. A wide archway leads from the d.r. to the l.r., so that basically made it an 'open plan' with all three rooms a single living/entertaining space.

After originally planning on a creamy shade like you envision, they eventually decided they needed a little more color. To visually increase the small space, cabinets, walls and woodwork throughout were all painted a FC color called "Plantation Beige", which is a light khaki with a gold tone. (Very neutral, but far from blah.) At that point, they sort of flip-flopped your plan. The countertops are solid, in a shade close to the wall color -- again, in an effort to visually expand the cramped kitchen space. For the peninsula, they did glazed terra cotta tiles. I was very skeptical of their choice at first, because Mexican tile was sooo overdone at one point. But I have to tell you that instead of looking 'dated', it simply looks classic! That's the beauty of natural materials, I think... once you get past the fad stage, they continue to hold up.

One thing, though, that I thought really made the tile a stand-out was that they edged the peninsula top in wood molding. The floors throughout, including the kitchen, are hardwood, so they stained the strip of trim walnut to match. Gave it a very 'finished' look. You couldn't do that on regular countertops, of course.

I've tried to imagine it reversed, with a solid island top and tile counters. To me, it seems the tile works best as more of an 'accent', but that's certainly just a matter of personal opinion. As far as practicality goes, the glazed tiles have been *impervious* to wear. (And this is a batchelor pad, remember. lol) Absolutely no problems either with a wobbly surface where glasses tip over, etc. And as far as cost, you can't beat it!

I definitely agree with your idea that you have to 'tie in'. For instance, terra cotta tiles on the counter would dictate a rusty base for your island. My sons accomplished the tie- in by tiling the floor in the tiny powder room off this space in the same tiles and then also using them for the fireplace hearth and surround in the living room. Whether by using color or repeating materials, you need to create some feel of continuity.

Sorry to run on and on, but I hope this will give you some ideas to think about.

if you havent committed to the tile then read on. i have a 5 year old house with tile. i loved it the first 6 months, i have hated it ever since, we are about to build again, and there will be no tile in my new kitchen. it is hard to clean, the grout stains (regardless of the sealing and resealing which is necessary), it is unsanitary and well, overall it just doesnt weather the way solid surfaces do. if you want it? get it? but be sure sure sure, you do your resealing maintenance. if you dont, the grout will soak up anything oily. i have a spot where i spilled some hair gel that actually permanently stained the grout! and i dont want to mention my backsplash! i have resealed every single year (which is a complete pain). before we sell i am planning to dig out the grout and redo it to get rid of the stains as i have tried bleach, oxyclean and everything else i can think of. good luck to you i wil check for pics! i do love the look i just didnt realize the maintenance and wanted to pass on my thoughts.

Here are a couple photos from a friend's kitchen. He didn't want a slab, so they used granite tiles.

{{!gwi}}


{{!gwi}}

Like marle, I also had tile counters (installed by the previous owner) and we HATED them. In fact, they are probably the single biggest reason we decided to renovate. The grout was just gross, especially around the sink. Not only was it impossible to keep clean, but chunks of it would come out. And many of the tiles cracked and chipped over the years. Never again!

My tile countertops are 20+ years old. I am in the process of updating the kitchen but will be keeping the countertops and adding a backsplash to tie in the floor and window shade colors better, replacing sinks with stainless.

My grout is dark, so I don't have major issues keeping it clean. My tile guy recommended cleaning with some sort of very caustic cleaner that he will use, then putting an epoxy sealer/grout colorant to make it look like new. None of my tiles are cracked. A few show wear (slight abrasion) but this is not noticeable. The color works well for our waterfront home at the coast and granite just doesn't seem like the right look (so we rationalized) ;-)

I occasionally scrub the grout with grout cleaner and it stays looking good for 6 months or so, even without sealing. I love that I can sit hot pans off the stove on the counters with no worries. But this is a very personal choice; there are negatives to all the counter surface choices, IMO.

Good luck with your decision.

My tile kitchen counters
{{!gwi}}

I am going with tile for my countertops because I found a tile I just adore, but to counter the issues raised above, I am going with EPOXY grout (Laticrete from Lowe's) which won't stain, doesn't need sealing and is supposed to be way more durable than normal grout. Of course, I haven't installed it yet, but all the internet chat supports these claims. The downside is it's a bit more difficult to put down than normal grout. Someday when I finish my kitchen I'll post photos. (2010?? :) )
Carla in Sac

Think carefully. Tiles, themselves, are very beautiful. Going into a tile store is like being in an adult penny candy store (yeah, like we wouldn't get the vapors knowing how many pennies these things cost! =o ). But, as others have said, the grout is a nightmare. Just a nightmare.

How about considering them as accents or using them in a bathroom or fireplace surround where they won't constantly be subjected to food stains and debris?

When I started my project I set up various photo files. One is called "What I Hate". Guess what was starring in it? ;>

I love tile. If I can't find a stainless fabricator I like, I'll do tile. I prefer stainless only because I tend to break dishes on hard surfaces. The new grouts are certainly better than the old and if properly done will last longer than 5 years. Maybe not as long as the tile, but a good long time. I still wouldn't get white... :)

I do have 53 year old white grout in my bathroom and it's still holding up. But as messy as we are, we'd really be testing the stain resistance of a white grout in the kitchen.

I do love Native TX's kitchen...unusual pretty tile...and are you keeping those louvered doors? I love them (in your kitchen--I don't want to dust them!).

Um... I'm getting confused. I've had glazed tile in every kitchen I've ever cooked in except the overseas one which had stone. I've never had any trouble keeping tile and grout clean (well, I don't like doing the shower ceiling, but it's easy enough to clean if I get up there, and we're talking about kitchens anyway). And if one is really concerned about contamination one can use chlorine bleach with impunity (well, bad for people and environment, but won't hurt the tile).

In fact, while I'm keeping an open mind regarding surfaces such as resin/quartz (Silestone), metal, and enameled lava rock, all along I've been assuming I'll be getting glazed tile again for its very functionality. You can put hot pots down on it. And never have to seal and reseal it. Never get water spots. Don't have to worry about setting down a greasy spoon or overspraying while squeezing a lemon (no pores or etching). And if there should be a terrible accident where one does break, it's not that big a deal to dig it out and replace it.

Perhaps it's a climate thing? I live in swampy desert.

For those who don't mind saying, will you explain what kind of things exactly are hard to clean from the grout? I thought red paint was going to stain my kitchen grout, but it came right off...

Thanks!

JC

Thank you everyone for your comments.

Native TX, I love your tiles. I was picturing something very similar (maybe in a blue, with blue milk paint on my island).

JC, you have outlined all of the reasons I like the idea of glazed tile next to the sink and stove. Not to mention versatility with the look.

larryinseattle, what is rectified tile? I will definitely ask for pictures!

Welllllllll my mom is a coffee fiend and her coffee area...well, it'd probably take extra bleaching to get that clean. I think you can always sterilize grout. But I've been places where it couldn't be CLEANED. If you've ever had bad grout, where chunks are missing and food bits get into the cracks and you can't get them out, you might think grout was evil. And often tile is done with a drop-in sink. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with a drop-in, but a tiled-in sink will be much much easier to keep clean.

Installation and material choice are very important...

fori -- what's a tile-in sink? I'm hoping to use an apron front single-basin sink. I have a picture from the Crown Point people that was my inspiration (green 4X4 ceramic tiles with a white farm sink and cream painted cabinets), but it's not on their website and I haven't scanned it at home yet.

I have white tile and white grout in the kitchen--six years old now! (Yikes it's been THAT long?) Still going strong. Still like it a lot.

Clorox Clean Up is miracle juice for my white grout....LOL

We looked at the countertop options, but nothing quite seemed right for the Victorian (kinda) kitchen that we were doing.

I can vouch that not all tile grout is a nightmare to clean. I had a tile counter in a previous home and loved it. It was easy to clean: sprinkle a little Comet on it and use a scrub brush. Always came out white. The only area that needed periodic scrubbing was the main prep area. Other than that, the counter was virtually no maintenance. It was 35 years old and still looked fabulous.

Lovely kitchens, vivian31 & nativetexan. Lots of character.

Tile in is basically undermount. You need bullnosed tiles that go around it and cover the edges. Even easier with a farmhouse since you only have 3 sides.

I'm probably using all the incorrect terms.

not to hijack, but vivian31, do you have a link to more pics of your kitchen? thanks!

I have black tile with black grout in my current kitchen, and I do like it a lot. It's one of the few things I really like about this kitchen (I've said many times "what were they thinking?!" about many other features). It is easy to keep the tile and grout clean, and it's been there for about 30 years and has almost no obvious wear. Mine has four inch squares, and I've never had a problem with it at all. If I hadn't found soapstone, I'd probably be going with tile again in the remodel.

i don't have tile counters right now, but considered them pretty seriously...went with butcherblock instead it was cheaper. BUT in the 1990s i lived in an apartment with a 24 inch wide counter (yup that's it for the whole kitchen) that was original 1910's or 1920's. it was made of unglazed porcelain hexagons with gray grout and had been installed so well that running your hand across you could not tell what was grout and what was tile. the tiles were obviously rectified (perfectly 90 angle on the side). essentially the tilers had created a solid surface with tile. the bathroom floor was the same tile, same smoothness. too bad the rest of the apartment was such a dump! i have some experience, if i had unlimited time, i might try to recreate that tiled counter...

vivian31, i love your kitchen light. native tx, very pretty tile, but agreed on the pretty louvers...better you than me! kren

Add me to the "stuck with tile countertops and hate it" club. With dark grout maybe not so bad, but the light tile and light grout has been a NIGHTMARE (I don't think it was sealed either, and I was too new at this to KNOW it should have been sealed when we moved in - it was newly done by the previous owner). Also, the wood frame they mounted around the edge was badly attached and warped at pretty much the first opportunity. Not only tile, but badly done tile ;)

Also, it's a very unforgiving surface. I'm sure that the stones are just as bad, but just to add that in fwiw.

I think that with different grout I wouldn't hate it as much.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

I had an apartment like that, kren pa. (You can still get that tile, in squares at least if not the hex.) It had a decent-sized counter, though, and it was beautifully angled so any water would flow into the sink. It seems like counters nowadays are usually perfectly level instead of sloping to the sink...such a nice feature unless you work with eggs a lot.

My Mom's tile counters are 55 years strong and she just wipes them down with bleach once in a while. Still looks terrific. For those of you with grout that you hate...if you are stuck keeping the tile, why not remove the grout (I know I'm suggesting a huge job) get the color you want and seal it properly. It might make living with it easier.

We were in a rental fixer and the white grout was blackish. Bleach would only do so much. They sell a grout remover tool and with a lot of elbow grease it can come out.

Sarah, I hope you'll post your inspiration picture. Do the tiles you like come in a larger size?

Natesgramma (btw, that's my DS's name), I was looking at 4X4 tiles because I want something that looks like it would have been original to the house (1962 CA ranch with a lot of 1950s charm to it). I know 4X4s were a popular choice at that time and I love the look of the colored glazed tiles. Unfortunately, the previous owners replaced the counters in the kitchen and all the baths sometime in the early 1980s with that plastic fake marble stuff and a counter material that looks like 6X6 tiles, but is actually not tile -- not sure how to describe it -- maybe it's an overlay over the original tiles?

I will scan my inspiration picture tonight.

Rectified tile is nearly always porcelain. It is fired first, then the tiles are cut. That way the angles are perfect right angles and the sides are straight. (Maybe a little bevel on the top edge.) Look at standard ceramic tiles: they have slightly wavy and bulging edges. That is not so good for placing tiles close together. Porcelain is extremely hard and should take years of abuse without chipping. Ceramic, on the other hand, is relatively soft and you may need to take more care with it.

As others have said, grout makes a difference. We are going with SpectraLok Pro, an epoxy. Together with 1/16" grout lines, there is simply not much grout to worry about and it resists stains very well. If you are not doing the work yourself, good luck finding someone who will use SpectraLok. This product used to have a terrible reputation: shrinkage and cleanup problems mostly. It took three times as long to install a tile area compared with regular grout. A couple of years ago the recipe was changed but the name stayed. A lot of the old pros won't touch it, assuming it is the same nightmare.

Regardless of the grout used, another tip is to use grout a shade darker than the tile. It draws attention to the tile and away from the grout.

One more thought: use big tiles for fewer grout lines. But even with smaller tiles, if they are rectified it will look and perform very well for you. A good porcelain or stone tile installation will be very flat with inconsequential grout lines. Look at mariposatraicionera's pictures above. Very nice.

Finally, we have decided to do a drop-in. Although I know there is at least one tiler around this megalopolis that knows how to undermount (tiling over an undermount sink), no one even wants to bid on it. Probably not worth the time, and it does take some effort to shape tile around the sink. A farmsink shouldn't encounter any tiler resistance, though.

Don't worry about tile. Consult with an experienced tiler and if you find something you like, go for it. It can be outstanding and unique.

sarschlos_remodeler: if you like my tile and want blue, take a look at pool tile. The tiles that are used along the top edge of a pool, above the water line, are similar and I've seen some gorgeous blues. Major brands are Master Tile Pool, Noble Tile Supply, NPT Pool Tile, Classic Pool Tile. Most have online catalogs you can browse. Or go to your local pool supply stores to see samples.

sautesmom: our floors were grouted with an epoxy grout, about 14 yrs ago at installation, and they still look like new. I wet mop and that's all. Spills mop up easily; nothing stains. The look is smooth, sort of shiny, instead of the dull, sanded look of standard grout.

fori & others: thanks for the compliments. I'm afraid I'll have to continue cleaning the louvered doors as a major tearout is just not in the cards at this time. The cabinets are freshly painted and are a little easier to clean than before with old paint.

Larryinseattle -- thanks for the info. I will look into the SpectraLok Pro and rectified tiles sound like what I'm looking for.

Native Tx, what a great idea. I don't think I would have thought to look at pool tiles!

As promised, here is my inspiration photo (except, I am currently leaning toward blue and no copper ceiling):

Inspiration picture

Hi there, I'm a S.F. bay area tile contractor for the past 23 years and now I'm slowly remodeling my second house. I totally "get" these issues with tiled countertops. I thought I made the perfect choice on my last house with porcelain 6x6 with epoxy grout, but not so. The new epoxy grout is easier to use than the stuff from long ago, but it's still difficult to get it to turn out just right. I overwashed my counter a bit too much and the epoxy didn't seal as it should have. I always had dirt issues with those joints and when it came time to sell I got the magic cleaning answer from my realtor. Mix liquid Clorox with powdered Tide that has bleach in it, leave it on the joints a half hour and scrub with a toothbrush. It really worked!

I would take a look at Customs Prism grout, which has just come back on the market. This is a grout where they've substituted the sand for glass. You end up with a very dense and tight grout joint that seems to repel dirt very well. So far, I've used it on fireplace hearths, which have got to be the second dirtiest place in a house. I still seal with Miracle brand 511 Impregnator (solvent based). I haven't seen how Prism holds up on a counter because it seems like everyone has switched to slabs.

Just be aware if you're doing it yourself, that Prism grout mixes up a lot differently than normal sand based grout. It won't mix at first and you have to let it slake for quite awhile.

Thanks, greenpurplegirl. I will definitely look into the Customs Prism grout. I have no intention of trying to do the tile myself. I've done DIY tile before and I had a terrible time getting the tiles set evenly and the grout was a nightmare. Never again. There is an artistry to tile work, and while I may have good ideas about how I want it to look, my execution leaves much to be desired.

I'll get some more pics of my kitchen up for you, jessie21. I just have to dig 'em out. LOL Been a LONG time.

thanks vivian31! i am still checking the thread, in case you post pics or a link to pics....

Just a few different views. None very good, I'm afraid. It's a HARD room to photograph! LOL

Hope that helped.

vivian, your kitchen is just lovely! I love the yellow. What is the tall cabinet near your range? Do you use that as a pantry?

Vivian, what a great kitchen! Love how you used things that some would call passe and remind us that they are perfectly gorgeous and can never go out of style (wallpaper! and it's perfect!).

thank you, vivian! your kitchen is so pretty and warm. i really wanted to see those staggered height cabinets... i just love them!

Oh geez, thanks everyone....! My kitchen is six years old at this point. (Been around GW a LONG time..LOL)

That tall cabinet is where the whole remodel started. It came out of a teardown house. It's only about 11" deep and just happened to fit that spot perfectly. There's window casing there that made for a problem and it just worked. Yeah, it has food in it, dishtowels, tablecloths, napkins, etc. Whatever needs stored. I have a LARGE walk-in pantry as well just off the laundry room, so a lot of things go there as well.

I keep toying with the idea of crown molding, but this house is going to be for sale fairly soon, so I think that's out at this point. Maybe if we were staying,...

Again, thanks. Glad I could help.... :)

I am so glad to see this posting! I love tile counter tops, although I don't have them. My in-laws have the original blue and white ones they put in when they built their house 60 years ago, and they are still beautiful, unbroken and unstained after going through 4 kids! If I ever redo my kitchen I will definitely put in tile counters!