I tile straight off the worktop.

Jason

i always leave a small gap, 1-2mm for any movement, same as W/S, but also for easier future removal , early this year had to do a replacement of a worktop, due to client putting a (cooling down ) chip pan straight on to the worktop, ooops, and not the heat strips!!!! (said she was flustered and busy!!!) , the gap id left made it soo much easier....

i also find that if a gap is left, then when a sealant is used, it will penetrate into the gap and hold much better (if you theoretically spliced through the sealant, it would be almost "bone shaped!". hence the better hold, there fore a better seal!!!!!

it also allows for a damage free grout area, when some one slams door/drawers, the is no likelyhood of the bottom grout line breaking up through vibration transfer!

well they are my reasons for not tiling straight off the counter tops!

Thanks fellas.