Uploaded August 2020 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
Materials List:
-Float
-Notched Trowel
-Mastic
-Grout
-Tile
-End caps (if necessary)
-Tile Cutter or saw
-Bucket
-Sponge
For Build Out (if necessary)
-Wood pieces for building out
-Drill or screwdrivers
-Screws
In many island kitchens, the center island is covered in a laminate.
A good do it yourself project is to cover that laminate with decorative tile. It will add color and style to your kitchen.
After picking out your tile, the first step is to do a dry fit. Simply lay out the tile on the top of the island to see if it will fit.
If there’s an overhang you have two choices: cutting the tile to fit and disturbing the decorative pattern or building out the corners to allow the tile to fit without cutting.
Depending on how much your tile overhangs the island, cut some one by two boards to make the extension.
For example, if there is a two inch overhang, you want to cut the boards a little bit longer so that there will be a little space between the tiles for the grout line.
Once your borders are cut and screwed into the island, use a rotary sander to rough up the laminate so that the tile will stick to the surface.
Use a notched trowel to spread the mastic or glue to the island’s surface.
Then simply lay the tile leaving a 1/8” grout line between each tile.
In addition, you’ll be able to use specially made border tiles to finish the edge of the area.
After the mastic dries, it’s time to grout in the tile.
You can buy grout in a variety of colors to match whatever project you’re working on.
Just use a float and spread the grout all over the surface of the tile making sure that the grout fills in all the lines around the tile.
The grout will dry in a very short period of time. Once it is dry, take a damp sponge and rub all the excess grout from the surface.
Now what you’re left with is a sealed counter top that looks really nice.
MORE FROM YOUR NEW HOUSE
Featured videos:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2eiqktEDbaQunVDuiTidxPxd
Great DIY Projects from Your New House:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ejNSy9ywo1mKiGaSXuTsEgE
Quick Tips - easy tips to make your projects (and life) better:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2eh4zI-dJCevBTEdY5ioSAPQ
Gardening and Landscaping:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ejdcWzNkAARBzUQDvT3W1ME
Adventures in Homebuilding - Home info with a smile:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ehA9bTrvQ58AHfE_utaBCLc
Choosing and Using Tools with Carmen Ciricillo:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2eisLdRjyue3eVZT-qjM9B6I
Factory Tours and Product Testing:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ej6wLU1NAVlWhcvVWL1ynJQ
Materials List:
-Float
-Notched Trowel
-Mastic
-Grout
-Tile
-End caps (if necessary)
-Tile Cutter or saw
-Bucket
-Sponge
For Build Out (if necessary)
-Wood pieces for building out
-Drill or screwdrivers
-Screws
In many island kitchens, the center island is covered in a laminate.
A good do it yourself project is to cover that laminate with decorative tile. It will add color and style to your kitchen.
After picking out your tile, the first step is to do a dry fit. Simply lay out the tile on the top of the island to see if it will fit.
If there’s an overhang you have two choices: cutting the tile to fit and disturbing the decorative pattern or building out the corners to allow the tile to fit without cutting.
Depending on how much your tile overhangs the island, cut some one by two boards to make the extension.
For example, if there is a two inch overhang, you want to cut the boards a little bit longer so that there will be a little space between the tiles for the grout line.
Once your borders are cut and screwed into the island, use a rotary sander to rough up the laminate so that the tile will stick to the surface.
Use a notched trowel to spread the mastic or glue to the island’s surface.
Then simply lay the tile leaving a 1/8” grout line between each tile.
In addition, you’ll be able to use specially made border tiles to finish the edge of the area.
After the mastic dries, it’s time to grout in the tile.
You can buy grout in a variety of colors to match whatever project you’re working on.
Just use a float and spread the grout all over the surface of the tile making sure that the grout fills in all the lines around the tile.
The grout will dry in a very short period of time. Once it is dry, take a damp sponge and rub all the excess grout from the surface.
Now what you’re left with is a sealed counter top that looks really nice.
MORE FROM YOUR NEW HOUSE
Featured videos:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2eiqktEDbaQunVDuiTidxPxd
Great DIY Projects from Your New House:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ejNSy9ywo1mKiGaSXuTsEgE
Quick Tips - easy tips to make your projects (and life) better:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2eh4zI-dJCevBTEdY5ioSAPQ
Gardening and Landscaping:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ejdcWzNkAARBzUQDvT3W1ME
Adventures in Homebuilding - Home info with a smile:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ehA9bTrvQ58AHfE_utaBCLc
Choosing and Using Tools with Carmen Ciricillo:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2eisLdRjyue3eVZT-qjM9B6I
Factory Tours and Product Testing:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTMbsoHW2ej6wLU1NAVlWhcvVWL1ynJQ
