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Installing Tile Countertops (page 2 of 3)

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Steps 1 - 8

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1. Measure your cabinets from the wall to the front edge of the face frame, then measure left and right. Install support cleats along unsupported edges.

2. Cut your plywood and screw it to the tops of the cabinet with 1-5/8 in. screws. Keep the front edge even with the face frame.

3. Glue and staple another layer of plywood (1/4 in.) over the 3/4-in. plywood if necessary to build up the thickness to match the edge tile.

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4. Center the sink in the sink base cabinet and trace the perimeter. Draw another mark 1/2 in. inside this mark, radius the corners and cut it out with a jigsaw.

5. Set the cement board onto the plywood and trace the shapes with a fine-tip marker or carpenter’s pencil.

6. Cut the cement board with your jigsaw outfitted with an abrasive-cutting blade.

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7. Spread a thin layer of thin-set mortar over the plywood with a 1/4-in. notched trowel. Embed the cement board into the mortar and screw it to the plywood with cement board screws.

8. Score and snap thin strips of cement board and embed them into thin-set mortar along the edges. Nail the strips with 1-1/4 in. galvanized nails.

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