Tiling bathroom countertop with LFT

[makethatkerdistick]

I am back with a new tiling project. I will be finishing two countertop spaces in our master bath of which you will see one area, the bigger one, depicted below.

Countertop 1 (depicted) is 72 in wide by 22 in deep.
Countertop 2 is only 32 in wide by 22 in deep.

I was thinking of adding 1/2 in plywood on top of the existing 3/4 in ply to create a 1 in overhang. The current ply is flush with the vanity as I was originally planning on installing a granite countertop. Then on top of the 1/2 in ply a layer of Ditra plus my tiles. I could probably save some money by using concrete backerboard, assuming that it will be strong enouh to support the overhang. However, I like the plywood plus Ditra combination better.

I was hoping to cut two 2x4 ft LFT pieces into shape to create the countertop, thus only having a tiny section of groutable space in front of the sink.
Schluter has a Schiene step profile with a 1 3/16 in leg in stainless steel.

https://www.schluter.com/schluter-us...P?facets=false

I haven’t decided on the backsplash yet. Either same tile material cut into smaller strips or something else. Not sure yet.

Why am I doing this?
1. I cannot bring myself to spend thousands of dollars for a custom-installed granite slab. I got some quotes, and they are rather obscene. Just don’t think it is a wise investment.

2. We found some porcelain LFTs at the tile store that look really neat and seem very robust. They are $62 per piece. I need a total of three for both countertops.

3. Porcelain is impervious to all sorts of spilled things in the bathroom setting. No sealing and possible staining to worry about.

What do you think? Schluter has some pictures on their website
of tiled countertops, and they look neat. The only downside is that I am out of $62 if I break a tile while making cuts for the sink in the middle.

[cx]

What do I think? I think I'm surprised at your thinking! For a guy we know to be an engineering thinker, I should think the solution to that downside should be quite obvious. Just don't break the tile while cutting for the sink.

[makethatkerdistick]

Those tiles are monsters. I will struggle to cut them with my DeWalt D24000. I might have to do some cutting with my angle grinder. At least the cuts that will be hidden by the sink.

Would you prefer the 1/2 in plywood over existing 3/4 in plywood plus Ditra to create the 1 in overhang?
I assume just using a concrete backerboard to support the 1 in overhang is risky, right?

[John Bridge]

Hi Wolfgang,

Cement board provides zero structural value. Why not just screw and glue a solid wood strip to the edge of your 3/4 ply and put Ditra over the whole thing?

[makethatkerdistick]

Good idea, John. Hadn’t thought about it, but that might be my height saving solution in lieu of another layer of plywood. For sure, I will avoid concrete backerboard. Ditra it is!

[Snets]

If I were doing a cutout for a sink in a tile that size I'd use a portable 4" wet saw like THIS

Much easier than manhandling those tiles in and out of your saw. Put the tile on a piece of plywood and set the depth of the saw to just cut through the tile so that the tile is fully supported.

[makethatkerdistick]

Excellent tip. I didn’t realize these small portable wet saws were that affordable. This won’t break the bank and is better than my angle grinder. My local Home Depot has two in stock. I will check them out.