- 1). Wipe down the butcher block with a rag dampened in mineral spirits to remove surface dirt, dust, grease and oil. Inspect the clean surface for any cracks, scratches or gouges larger than 1/8 inch wide. If you find any, fill in the damage with wood filler putty. Allow the putty to dry for 24 hours before continuing.
- 2). Run a level across the surface of the butcher block, both front-to-back and side-to-side, to ensure a flat surface. If you find low areas, fill them flush with the rest of the surface with filler putty. For high sections, sand them down to level with 40-to-50-grit sandpaper. Wipe down the surface with a tack cloth if necessary to remove any sanding dust, and allow any filler putty to dry for 24 hours before continuing.
- 3). Cover the butcher block with a layer of 15 pound roofing felt, stapled into the wood with galvanized staples. Make sure the felt extends into all corners and overhangs the edges of the block if you intend to set tile there as well. The felt will protect the wood from the moisture in the tile mortar and grout.
- 4). Install a layer of metal lath over the roofing felt, also stapling this in place with galvanized staples. The lath will provide a rough surface to which the tile adhesive will attach more easily.
- 5). Mix tile thinset and water together until it forms the consistency of peanut butter. Spread an even layer of the thinset over the lath in an area 2 to 3 feet wide and long, that you can easily tile within 10 minutes. Make sure you fill in all of the holes in the lath with thinset to avoid gaps.
- 6). Scrape the notched edge of your trowel back through the thinset to create grooves in the adhesive. Set your tiles into place in the thinset. After you set every two or three, lay a level across them to ensure a flat surface. If necessary, tap the tiles lightly into place with a rubber mallet.
- 7). Space tiles apart by 1/8 to 1/4 inch, maintaining even spacing across the whole surface. If necessary, use plastic spacers to maintain the necessary gap. Continue to spread thinset and set and level tiles in batches across the whole surface.
- 8). Cut tiles as necessary to fit your counter. Depending on the type of tile, you can use a tile cutter or diamond-blade wet saw to cut the pieces. Be sure to wear protective goggles whenever you cut to protect yourself from shrapnel and dust. Once all full and cut tiles are in place, allow the thinset to dry for 24 hours.
- 9). Mix grout and water together per product instructions. Remove all spacers and then spread grout over the counter surface with a grout float. Hold the float at a 45 degree angle so that the edge forces grout into the joints between tiles.
- 10
Wipe excess grout from the surface with a damp sponge. Allow the grout to dry for 24 hours before using the counter.
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