Granite tiles come in a wide range of colors.
Durable and revered for its beauty, granite has become a popular stone used in home decor. Solid granite countertops are typically installed directly onto cabinetry, but they require support. This typically includes a plywood base and an underlayment of cement board. Using proper materials and techniques when adding the underlayment will ensure a professional, long-lasting countertop.
Thickness
Half-inch is the standard thickness for underlayment. This will provide structure and, when combined with a 3/4-inch plywood base, will create an adequate counter thickness.
Attachment to Base
The underlayment needs to be attached to the plywood base with screws as well as thin-set mortar. Thin-set mortar should be applied with a notched trowel so it is roughened for adequate adhesion to the underlayment. If you are replacing a laminate countertop, the underlayment can alternately be applied directly to the old laminate, as long it is in sound condition.
Screw Heads
Protruding screw heads can cause a tile not to lay flat. This can be avoided by dimpling the cement board at the points where the screws will go with a drill bit. Screwing into the dimples will allow you to easily countersink the screws so the tops of the screw heads lie flush with the board.
Alternatives
A viable alternative to cement board is gypsum-based tile backer boards. These have a quality more like drywall and are lightweight and easier to cut than cement boards. For replacing a laminate countertop, some homeowners forgo the cement board and mortar the tile directly to the laminate. In this case, the laminate has to be sanded to create an abraded surface for adequate adhesion of the mortar.
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