Granite tile countertop installation

[Brandon Whitmore]

Are there any standards requiring the installation of a backer board material to the plywood prior to setting tile on countertops? (ceramic, granite, etc.)

The one year old home I inspected today had a granite tile directly secured to the plywood. (some of the edge tiles fell off about a week ago according to the owner).

Just does not seem right to me.

[chicago]

They can do it any way they like as far as I know and will stick my neck on the chopping block to see if I am wrong.

Now common sense is another story as they may have done a poor job.

Backer board is kind of a new concept.

[Jim Katen]

Originally posted by Brandon Whitmore

Are there any standards requiring the installation of a backer board material to the plywood prior to setting tile on countertops? (ceramic, granite, etc.)

The one year old home I inspected today had a granite tile directly secured to the plywood. (some of the edge tiles fell off about a week ago according to the owner).

Just does not seem right to me.

http://www.tileusa.com/publication_main.htm

I've successfully used the standards published by the Tile Council of North America. It's good for tile, it doesn't address granite.

For tile countertops, it shows three different methods: mortar bed over solid wood; thinset over a double layer of plywood; and backer board over plywood.

Check out the website and buy the 2007 handbood and the ANSI standards.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Brandon Whitmore]

Thanks guys