DIY: Granite Tiles For a Kitchen Countertop

Clean the counter surface with a countertop cleaner if you are placing the granite over old counters. Dry them off with rags. Spread a laminate adhesive on the counter with a notched trowel and cover it with fiberglass paper. Use a flat edge to smooth it down to the surface and then trim it to fit the counter, using scissors.

Spread tile mortar along the edge of the counter with a notched trowel, then place granite edge pieces on the mortar. Start at one end of the edge and work your way across, spreading only enough mortar to place a few tiles at a time. Butt the tiles up against each other and set the top of the tile even with the top of the counter. Tape them to the top of the counter with masking tape. Leave them to dry for 24 hours.

Spread mortar on the top surface of the counter with a notched trowel. Start along the outer edge of the counter and place the tiles so that they cover the top end of the edge pieces. Put the tiles right up against each other as you go.

Cut granite tiles with a diamond tipped blade on a wet saw. Make the marks and cut slowly to avoid chipping. If you are working with thick tiles, pass over the tile with the blade several times making 1/4 inch depth cuts at a time. Leave tiles overnight to set up.

Spread grout over the surface of the tile. Even though you put the tiles right next to each other, there is a small indented seam between the tiles that needs to be covered. Use a rubber float to spread the grout and wipe off the tiles with a barely damp sponge to remove the excess. Let the grout line dry for a day.

Apply a small bead of sealant over the grout lines. Squeeze the tube as you move along the lines.