Tiling a Vanity

A tiled vanity gives your bathroom a designer look without completely redesigning the whole room. If you plan to tile a bathroom wall, tiling the vanity will make the vanity and sink an integral part of the space.

Even if your existing base cabinet is in good condition, you'll have to build up the top. Commercial vanity countertops are made to handle less weight. Remove the top and add bracing, a 3/4-inch plywood base, and polyethylene waterproofing membrane.

Buy the tile for all the surfaces you'll be tiling -- vanity tile, wall tile, and bullnose trim. That way you can be more certain of getting tiles of a consistent color throughout the entire project. Make sure the cartons have the same lot number.

Select the right tile to use on your vanity. Use glazed tile 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick. Purchase a sink whose texture matches the glaze -- vitreous china and enameled cast iron are good choices. Self-rimming sinks are easy to install, and the rim will cover the rough edges of the cut tile.

Checklist

Time
Eight to nine hours to build the substrate and lay the tiles; an hour more the next day to grout them

Tools
Circular saw, cordless drill, jigsaw, level, stapler, notched trowel, beater block, straightedge, caulking gun, grout float

Skills
Basic carpentry skills, setting tile, cutting tile, grouting

Prep
Remove existing vanity top or install a new prefab or custom unit

Materials
Drywall screws, 3/4-inch exterior grade plywood, cement backerboard, backerboard screws, tile, thinset mortar, 4-millimeter polyethylene or 15-pound felt, grout