How to Install Bullnose Tile Countertops

If you've decided to lay tile over a countertop surface, the first issue you'll have to deal with is how to border the front corner; otherwise, you'll be looking at that unfinished edges of the tiles. That's where bullnose tile comes in. Bullnose tiles are curved and finished along one side, so they can be lined up to form the border. You can get bullnose in the same color and style as the standard tiles that will be used on the rest of the countertop, or you can make the bullnose an accent color.

• 1

  Sand the existing surface of the countertop with a power sander to take off any gloss or other surface material that will interfere with the adhesion of the tile. Wipe off the dust with a tackcloth.

• 2

  Measure across the length of the countertop, using a tape measure. Mark the middle. Use your square and a pencil to draw a line from front to the back at the middle.

• 3

  Spread tile adhesive along the front half of the countertop, from end to end.

• 4

  Press your first two bullnose tiles in place on the surface of the countertop, on either side of the center line, with the finished edges of the tiles lined up on the front edge, facing outward. The nubs on the sides of the tiles will properly space them from one another.

• 5

  Press the rest of the bullnose tiles in place, off to the sides of the first two, building across the whole length of the countertop. The finished front edges of the tiles should line up to form a "soft" front edge to the countertop. Cut the tiles at the ends of the rows on your tile cutter.

• 6

  Press a row of standard tiles just behind the row of bullnose, starting at the center line and building to the sides. Cut the tiles at the ends as needed. Repeat and continue, laying additional rows of standard tiles, working your way back row by row. Spread more adhesive as needed. Cover the whole top and let the tiles set overnight.

• 7

  Grout the whole countertop, spreading the grout over it with a grout trowel, forcing the grout into the spaces and squeezing it off the surface. Use a damp sponge to wipe up the excess grout.