Greetings,

I am having granite countertops put in in a remodel of kitchen.....the old are gone and i put down a sub deck of 20/32 b/c fir ext plywood...the granite will go over that ...the old backsplash was formica and it is gone ..the sheet rock is left with a lot of paper gone from the surface...no gyp is exposed though....My question is should i put Cement backer board...CBC... i believe it is called over the sheet rock and if so what thickness....do u float and or seal the seams and what do i fasten with... ring shank nails or screws... if i float the seams what do i use mud or some sort of caulking stuff

The counter tops are going on first flush to the back and then the back splash will go up.

the back splash will be 18" ceramic tile set diagonal with 4 inch buttons of granite tile that match the slabs on the counter on each corner of the diagonal tiles...what should the tiles and buttons be set with and grouted with

Also what are your opinions of needing to seal the granite counter tops...i have heard many stories and much advice on sealing all different...

thanks for any help y'all can give me...

Art.

Hi Art
Just use a quality thinset mortar to install the wall tiles. The mortar will level the rough wallboard at the same time.

Penetrating sealers are used for granite BUT talk to your suppliers first before going ahead with anything.