Hi,

I will be installing 17" x 26" porcelain tiles on top of plywood to create my kitchen countertop. The seams will run perpendicular to the counter edge.

My wife wants to have little or no spacing between them. The edges of the tiles are very smooth and straight, and mate up perfectly.

What are the pros and cons of just butting tiles against each other as I set them in thin-set? I don't think food can get between the tiles.

Thanks,

Glenn

Hi Glenn...

Food can't get in between the tiles, but water and other liquids certainly can and you can be sure that it will eventually lead to problems down the road.

In fact, setting the tiles in thinset will, most likely, lead to some of the thinset pushing up and between the tiles so that will definitely lead to some tile separation at the seams.

I would grout the lines with a NON-STAINING EPOXY GROUT such as Laticrete's SPECTRA-LOK grout... stuff dries like steel:

Tile Grout - Bathroom Tile Grout - Glass Tile Grout - Shower Tile Grout - Pool Tile Grout (http://www.laticrete.com/architects/products/grouts/epoxy_grouts.aspx)

I would also recommend that you install a 1/4" cement board on the counter for best results with your job.

Pop back in peridiodically as you can be sure to get a few opinions on this subject, OK?

Glad to discuss more...

Mark