How to Put a Wood Edge Around a Tile Counter

Tile countertops make an attractive and economical alternative to granite and a durable alternative to laminate materials. Once the tiles are installed on top of the counter, one of the easiest ways to finish the edge of the counter to hide the edges of the tile and the plywood substrate beneath is to apply a piece of wood. You can use a piece of plain wood or a piece of decorative molding.

• 1

  Measure the distance from the top of the tile to the bottom of the plywood substrate beneath it, using a tape measure. Take several measurements along the length of the counter as the height may vary a little. Add 1/8 inch to this number. This will allow the trim piece to hang down a little below the bottom of the substrate and completely hide it from view.

• 2

  Cut a piece of 3/4-inch-thick wood to the height needed, using a table saw.

• 3

  Start in one corner and check the angle where the trim piece hits the wall. Start with a zero-degree cut on one end of the trim piece. Butt that into the wall, holding it flush with the top of the counter. If there is a gap at one end of the wood between the wood and the wall, adjust the angle of cut on the miter saw and test again.

• 4

  Butt the trim piece against the wall and use a pencil to mark the backside of the trim on the other end. This is easier and more accurate than measuring.

• 5

  Transfer the mark to the top of the wood so that you can see it on the miter saw. To cut the angle for a right, or 90-degree angle, make a miter cut at 45 degrees. For an outside corner, cut to angle away from the back so that the front side is longer than the back side. Reverse that for an inside corner.

• 6

  Cut all of the pieces before you install them.

• 7

  Apply glue to the edge of the plywood underlayment and to any joints where two pieces of wood meet. Do this only for pieces about to be installed and not all of the trim at once.

• 8

  Install the first piece of trim, keeping it flush with the tile. Nail it in place with 2-inch 8d finish nails and a hammer.

• 9

  Install the trim until the counter edge is covered. For straight sections that are longer than the wood you are using, butt the ends together but a stronger joint would be to cut a 45-degree angle on the first board that is the same as the angle cut on an inside corner and then cut a 45-degree angle that is the same as the angle on an outside corner on the next piece. Glue the cuts and overlap the two.

• 10

  Caulk between the wood and the tile, using a caulking specifically designed to match the color of the grout. Wood moves at a different rate than tile and using grout between the two would eventually lead to cracking of the grout. The caulk can flex without cracking and provides a longer-lasting seam filler.

• 11

  Fill the nail holes with a color-matched putty for staining or clear coating or a standard wood filler for painted edges.