Using tiles as a worktop? Have they solved the grout issue yet?

[KatyMac]

Can't find the colour worktop I want so tiles could be good but I remember horrid grout lines from the 80s

Is there a solution to this yet?

Using dark grey grout maybe? Won't work with every tile but if it goes with your colour choice, it'll hide manky lines.

I'd rather it was sealed somehow - hiding the look of them wouldn't be very hygienic

Dark grout may hide it but the dirt / germs would still be there. Think it's a really bad idea aesthetically and from a hygiene point of view. I may however be biased. Our countertop was tiled when we moved into this house, thick black (presume it was once white) grout. It lasted about 18 hours before it was removed.

What types of worktop have you been looking at prior to thinking about tiles? We have Corian and there was a huge range of colour choices (all across the rainbow too, not just the usual worktop colours) so that could be an option. I think tiles would be unhygienic and a pain to keep looking good.

Is corian very expensive?

Worktops should be grouted with an epoxy grout. Regular grout is unhygienic. I'd get a tiler in, epoxy is a swine to use.

If this is true its a non starter

Depends what your budget is really and how much you need (as it comes in sheets and you have to pay for the full sheet even if you only need a bit of it). It's more expensive than laminate or wood, but it's really hard wearing and lasts for ages. My parents' is almost 15 years old and still looks good as new.

Just seen your table - not sure about the specifics, but that's a reasonable ball park I would have thought. It was £2.5k for our kitchen 6 years ago (two long runs and an island).

Have a look at recycled glass worktops, some of those are lovely.

Yes, my best friend has it and I'm very jealous.

There's an alternative to Corian called Encore. Pretty much the same but cheaper.

Recycled glass is to die for

But we are choosing between £75 a meter and £110 for 3m

So neither that nor encore will fit the budget

Can you use as large tiles as possible to reduce gaps? You can die epoxy (that's basically glue) in any colour to match the tile to make it look seamless (almost). Some bloggers have made creating polished concrete worktops as a DIY job look easy. Wouldn't dare try this, but if you are brave ...

I was wondering about large tiles

Just go for a laminate worktop with your budget. Tiles are disgusting and so unhygienic.

We have just had a new kitchen and the budget had to be strict so we have had laminate worktops. If in a few years we can afford we will upgrade them then, but we love the laminate We have got now.

royalestones.co.uk/calacatta-gold-large-format-wall-floor-tiles-1000x1000mm.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Onyx_and_Designer_tiles&gclid=CjwKCAiAwomeBhBWEiwAM43YIDMDnFAYzlcF6AgiiGJgGwyWkSycEnIiiGFp04XHoofirvlU-XLcHxoCgFYQAvD_BwE

You coukd use 1m long marble look tiles. With 2 part white epoxy grout, it would be the cheapest way to get the current white quartz look. Get a good mould spray (HG) to keep the few grout lines clean. There are also grout pens that you can use to cover any discolouration.

Tiles are very common on worktops in French/Mediterranean kitchen. They can look lovely and high end (depending on the overall design) and I wouldn't worry too much that they are especially unhygienic, as you would cut food on a cutting board anyhow.

Provincial style with tiles - just gorgeous

I am off down a rabbit hole - some tiles are 600 by 1200 which is amazing

That Mediterranean kitchen is - not nice! Tiles that are big are not very robust. You also need to frame them. Tiles are much thinner than laminate. They are not really made for worktops. I would avoid. Laminates are just great these days. Vast ranges to choose from.

Don’t do it! When we moved into our house the worktops were tiled, they were a pain in the arse. Constantly needed scrubbing and couldn’t roll out pastry as it would go in the gaps, so annoying!

My sister has tile worktops. Apparently you need to choose tiles that have minimal bevel edges, so the grout lines can be very thin. She likes hers. But is oblivious to hygiene.

They’re not my taste - Id go for a laminate if budget is the issue.

Honestly go for laminate.

I was thinking about the 'marble' porcelain concrete type floor tiles with no bevel and a min of 600mm in size

Epoxy grout is very hygienic and is developed to be used in restaurants and public canteens. I personally don't like laminate and would prefer tiles to laminate. Everyone has different taste and preferences, in the end, it's just a worktop, so I'd just do what you prefer, even if others disagree.