But then again I have never had one. I just think dust collector when I think of all those grout lines, would love to hear from those who have them.

I'd never do another tile counter because there are other materials that I prefer but my advice would be to use a stronger tile, perhaps a granite tile and I'm sure you could find one that mimics 'old fashioned, glossy porcelain".

My house is from 1931, and I wanted very durable materials,but also wanted it to match the age of the home.

Really like the tile, as you can put hot pans on it, and nothing stains it. We have not had any issues. Our finish is not a shiny one, and the tiles are large so there is not a lot of grout.

It was also flexible in the bump out on our range and sink.

I like having the raised edged tiles for trim to keep water drips from happening. And also have a wood counter area for other uses. Have never had a chipping problem, but it can be an issue.

For grout, the new mix is great and stain/water proof. You can also have smaller seams using this. I didn't put in a tile back splash due to feeling it may be too much. A matte tile works best, the shiny requires too much maintenance to even keep water spots from showing. And tiles with a lot of lot of texture are harder to keep clean.

I know a lot of people here do not like tile on counter tops. It can echo an era once out. Upkeep, grout color, etc. Really depends upon the feeling wanted around you.

The other location is in my kids bathroom put in by the PO just after WWII. The grout is white but like the other bath with the same tile job in the house it still looks like the day it was installed, even the showers. I wish I could meet whoever did the install since it has to be one of the best tile jobs in history. The baths themselves are classic postwar bathrooms (colored fixtures and all) so a tile countertop fits perfectly in the decor.

A lot of people do not like tile countertops but if you scroll down the page in the link it shows one in the bathroom. The designer comments that several houses on Portland Street of Dreams tour had them.

While I agree with Dedtired that grout can be high maintenance, if the countertop area is not massive, I think
it could be an option that's not too crazy-making. You can seal the grout, or use epoxy grout, which is the most durable & stain resistant, (but has more of a learning curve at installation time!). You can also use grout lines that are 1/8" instead of the old 1/4" or wider lines of the past.

I remember Kswl saying on another thread that her First choice for a countertop (if she got another house, I think) would be tile!

One of my favourite kitchens on gardenweb had granite tiles with a wood edge that they did themselves.

My friend has a beautiful white glossy tile countertop in one of her bathrooms, but the heavy edge tile keeps falling off. Otherwise it is wonderful.

If anyone does have any magic solutions, please let me know. The grout cleaner I have isn't that great.

Tile snobs need to look beyond the 80's beige and at the gorgeous art tiles and subtle colors available.

Take a look at some stores to get a feeling for what you like. Make sure whatever tile it is comes with available trim. Some do not and some have a wide variety of possibilities. Mine does have some texture, but not enough to pose a cleaning problem.

The acrylic grout is great for cleaning, easy and doesn't take on stains or water. It sets up a bit faster, you need to sponge off sooner than the norm. You still need to clean, but is whatever you would clean the tile with. Yes to sealing all.

Yes. There ARE times when I would love another type of countertop -- but we have not got the cash at this point ... AND the tiles (and backsplash) always remind me of old old shops back in Scotland ...

I find the counters EASY to keep clean. Spray with bleach. Wipe. Thats it.

Since it's porcelain, it's the same all the way through. The installer had to fabricate the pieces next to the stovetop. Most of the edges, and the main sink use the 12 x 3 bullnose pieces.
For the stovetop pieces (in the earlier post) I believe he wet-cut it from a 12 x 12, and then somehow smoothed it to match the bullnose profile on the other tiles.

In this picture, you can also see how the face piece is a cut out a bit smaller next to the sink to fit in the dishwasher under the counter.

BTW, we did our kitchen about 10 years ago, so it has held up very well.

This was in 1995 and I didn't know anything about grout then, and the crew put down a grout that closely matches it in color. Over the years the grout darkened and showed some stains and I couldn't find anything to clean it. Was thinking of having it professionally cleaned. Then a few months ago I read on the Kitchen Table forum about Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, ordered it, and the only thing to say is OMG, it works! The grout and countertops look like new. When I finished cleaning I had our tile-guy (who is working on our bathroom reno) seal it. If the seal starts to wear off, I'll just get out the Magic Eraser and work it again and do another reseal. It's a brief bit of work for a look that is, in my eyes, so pretty and versatile. Our tile is in between matte and high gloss and does have one or two tiny chips, but that's of no consequence.

IMO you should install what you love because it will make you happy. Just know going in about how to maintain any surface you choose.

Perhaps Lynn in New Mexico will post pictures of her various tile counters - some in the most beautiful Mexican designs!

The steamer made it look BRAND NEW. With nothing but steam, no chemicals at all. No kidding. I had to call my guy at work just to marvel over it.

Of course, it's a big upfront investment at something like $1300 (!!), but I got mine refurbished for half off on eBay (the seller still has some listed if anyone is interested) and it has turned out to be one of the best purchases I've ever made on the home cleaning front. It's got a million nozzles for every conceivable use, including tiny wire and nylon brushes that are perfect for grout.

I don't know about the cheaper brands/models of steamer (they may be just as good?), but this German Karcher DE4002 is just awesome, literally. I've become an insane cleaning-frenzied Hausfrau with the thing -- something of a miracle if you know me. And very timely, since the sellers of our new house had a huge dog plus apparently held regular picnics with no napkins on every floor in the place...

(not my floor, a marketing picture showing some of the tools:)

Resale? Yup, could be a problem. The photos shown on Houzz were definitely installed by professionals and are beautiful. It would be interesting to know why the high end kitchens chose tile shown. I know there are more who dislike it than do. Definitely a personal choice and decor wise I probably color outside of the lines a bit. I do love all the solid tops too and so many options/ideas here.

Alternately, waterproof plaster or even concrete, perhaps, since we plan on casting the tub in place. Regardless, it sorta depends on the look.

For me three years of living with tile in Europe was enough! I had ceramic/stone tiles on every surface in every room that had water. Nine feet of tiling on 10' bathroom walls, as well as tile on kitchen, bathrooms, and maid's room floors. Since we rented I scrubbed every grout line (they *really* needed it initially) and regularly cleaned them so have more than done my share of cleaning tile grout lines. I realize there are sealers but I still think that grout lines may be a good place for bacteria to grow and IMO the majority of people likely don't clean them well enough or often enough from what I read on the net.

Teacats has the best cleaning solution altho I dislike using bleach regularly.

I love the look of art tiles (Moroccan, Spanish, Mexican) altho it's such a unique look it would be a resale challenge.

I love them but my husband doesn't.

One of my favorite kitchens is the old one on Two and a Half Men. Don't care for the remodeling they did. I only watched the show for its set.