I haven't seen a tile counter in decades, only old ones that people are tearing out. Furthermore, as you've said, the tile size you are looking at is not suitable to fit a counter. Use that tile elsewhere in your home (not as a counter), or sell it on Craig's List, or donate it to Habitat for Humanity. Look for a counter either in butcher block or in the laminate that Scylla mentioned above.

Tile is absolutely suitable for kitchen counters. But 12"x24" tile not so much for the reasons you've found. :)

I agree with girlfriend that a wood edging isn't ideal. I think it would be better to find a different tile, possibly one that actually has trim pieces available.

A great place for tile-specific advice is the john bridge tile forum--the good people there might have some ideas to make your tile work.

If you're using tile, change to a larger format one and check out Schluter Rondec Step or similar versions for the edges.

Well, there are tile counters, and there are tile counters. The owner of Fireclay Tile installed these beauties in his kitchen. But then, this is absolutely not a budget option. His tiles look like they are 6” x 24” bullnose tile with minimal overhang made of trim. You need to consider something similar, perhaps a 24” deep counter with a 0.5” trim edge.

Then maybe go for laminate counters.

I ripped out tile counters from 5 bathrooms when I remodeled. Years ago you didn't have that many choices for countertops, but that isn't the case these days. Tile would be the last material I would choose for a counter.

tile counters w/a wood trim? like from 30 years ago?

Why? why not use an actual, solid countertop? You can buy a Pre-fab granite countertop for $400. If you can DIY, you can cut it and install it yourself.

Why not try finding a 30x30 porcelain tile? one with a bullnose ? this way you'll have a finished edge, and you only have to cut it on the back end.

or do natural stone and polish the front edge.

If you want tile counters then do it old school w/a mortar base and 4x4 tiles.

or, 12x12 stone tiles.

(check into this type of metal edging for your countertop)

this one is a 12x12 granite tile on the diagonal w/a wood edging, stained dark. This isn't bad. I mean, it's 1999 looking, but it's better than some of the others I've seen.

if cost is an issue, get the laminate. Or, do a cement counter.

or, do a wood butcher block. (you can even make your own)

But doing those floor tiles on the counter w/a wood edging is ugly.

you could check and see if that tile has a bullnose or chair rail edging. (if not, find a tile that has a bullnose option)

another option... mosaic tiles on the edge. I would take this over wood

I personally love tile counter tops. But only certain ones, like the old school Mexican or Talavera tile ones. The tile that looks like you just put floor tile on the counter because you had left over is awful. And I don't like the large format tiles on counters. I know everyone says they are impossible to keep clean, but that wasn't my experience at all. But I did not prep food directly on them; I used cutting boards. And the clean look of the grout depends on the color you use. Certainly don't use white grout.

I've done two stone tile counters, with stone edges. The tiles were inexpensive, sold as marble (Lowes), but a geologist who is a regular contributor to GW-Houzz has said they are limestone. Either way, I like the stone tile edge. Both are in-progress pics in a 1920s bungalow. The long counter replaced the counter you see in the background in the second pic.

I used 12x12 tile for the last counter I built. I did add a wood trim to the front edge, and if I remember correctly I cut the tile for a backsplash that covered whatever gap was left at the wall.

I found matching cabinets, redid the kitchen with the tile counters, sold the house and the new buyers ripped it all out and put in new everything. In a $150,000 house on a busy highway! To each his own.

What sizes are available for the tile - do you have pictures of it? How are you treating the edge? Is there a bullnose available? There's always a way to figure it out - just need all the info first

This is all glorious information! I am down to tile, price-wise and panicking! I am now searching for the $400. pre-fab granite countertop mentioned above, I love the metal edging on the black countertop and Oh, that Montrose County kitchen counter! Fabulous! I think I need to take up day-drinking lol.