How to Install a Tile Backsplash

Small details make huge differences, and also a tile backsplash is just one of these small information. A backsplash not only looks great, but it also protects your walls. With some simple tiling skills and a small practice, transforming your kitchen might be one weekend job away.

Skill level: Medium to advanced. You need to be comfortable with basic power tools, like drills and saws. Also, be certain you have a good understanding of the numbers on your own tape measure. The majority of the work simply requires patience and a steady hand, so take your time.
Period: 2 to 3 days
Price: $10 to $25 per square foot
General tip: If you have not set tile before, practice placing a few rows of tiles on a scrap of plywood until you can achieve consistent grout lines and levels.
Security hints: Always wear gloves when cutting tiles and gloves when handling cut tile. Use caution with all power equipment.

More: When to consider hiring a pro

Jared Erwin

Materials and Tools

Tile:
To work out the total amount of tile you’ll need, measure the square footage of your backsplash, and then add 10 to 20 percent to this total — that will account for waste out of trimming or breakage.

Adhesives: For most programs, the best adhesive is going to probably be thinset, which bonds to plaster, drywall and any other porous surface. Thinset is a cement-based adhesive that penetrates the walls as well as the porous rear of the tile. It works nicely with porcelainceramic and glass tile. If you’ve chosen glass tile, use a white adhesive.

Tile spacers: Tile spacers, which will keep tiles directly and even on the walls, come in all sizes and shapes. These spacers are available with the tile on your local hardware shop. Keep it easy when picking out a spacer to use — if you’ve chosen a sheet of little tile, ensure your spacers fit the design of your sheet.

Notched trowel: A trowel is used to apply the adhesive to the surface being tiled. It can be located from the tile or flooring section of your local hardware shop. It is usually a good idea to have a small-margin trowel and a larger notched trowel.

Grout: select a color that complements your tile (it is usually better to prevent an specific color match) and one which is going to be easy to keep clean — stay far from bright white, if you don’t only love scrubbing. I recommend using a premixed grout which has a loofah blended in. Topical sealers will work, but premixed grout saves you a measure. You are going to require a grout sponge and a grout float or trowel too.

Jared Erwin

When picking out tile, look for something easy, small and neutral. Little tiles often arrive in sheets, which makes them simpler to set up, and may be cut with tile snips, which are much more DIY friendly compared to the usual big wet saw.

Most tiles can be cut using a scoring process. This is time consuming, and results will vary based on the tile substance. Using a scoring knife out of a tile supply shop and a right edge, just score your cut three to four times and then apply pressure to the outside edges of the tile to break the tile at the score.

If you go with larger tiles that needs to be trimmed using a wet saw, consider hiring an expert to cut them .

Jared Erwin

When you’ve got all your materials and tools, follow these directions.

1. Decide on a pattern. If you’ve chosen tile sheets, then your pattern is place for you. If you would like to decide on subway tile, place your tile in a brick pattern. Use tile spacers to keep your pattern symmetrical.

2. Find a starting point. In many kitchens the center of this sink is a good place to start. You wish to begin in the center and work out your way — that gives you better symmetry when you create it to the ends.

This was the starting point we employed with this specific backsplash. From here we worked our way around the kitchen.

Jared Erwin

3. Do prep work. It is a good idea to apply a bead of silicone caulk to the seam between your wall and your countertop. This acts as a backup line of protection if water were to ever get from the tile. It isn’t a do-or-die measure, however.

Hereyou can see that the bottom border of this tile has been coated with a white silicone caulk after the tile has been grouted to keep water from getting behind the cabinets and resulting in harm.

Next, turn off the circuit breaker and be certain none of those sockets or switches are live. Then remove any electrical wall plates. Unscrew the switches and sockets and pull them out of the boxes. Don’t disconnect the wires! You just want enough room to be able to work your tile around the box.

Jared Erwin

4. Apply the adhesive. Make sure you can view your center-line starting mark; employ adhesive from that point. Assess the working time around the container, but it is usually OK to spread enough to employ a few tiles (or sheets) on your first row. This first row will sit on your countertop.

5. Install the tile. Starting from your center line, press the tile up against the wall securely. This creates suction that will hold your tile in place until the adhesive has fully cured.

As you work your way around the kitchen, be certain that you plan ahead for any cuts you have to make. It is a good idea to use a pencil and a speed square (a right-angle tool which helps to give you a straight line) to indicate your cuts prior to making them. Do your very best to cover the cut edge and constantly leave the mill edge exposed.

As soon as you’ve installed the tile, go back and remove any adhesive that’s pushed up into your grout lines — you don’t want this showing when you grout your tile.

Within this picture, tile spacers are being used to use the tile in a brick pattern. Notice the adhesive, the tape measure and also the speed square — make use of these during installation!

Jared Erwin

6. Grout and clean. Following your tile was installed for 16 to 24 hours (or whatever the adhesive container specifies), you can go back and start grouting. Remove all of the spacers and clean off any dried adhesive on the surface of the tile.

Work the grout in at an angle. Within this picture, grout is being implemented with a standard-margin grout trowel. Apply it using all the trowel angled toward the wall, then moving in a diagonal design. Clean off the excess grout with a sponge and also work a 3- to 5-foot place at a time. As soon as you’ve finished grouting, run a clear bead of silicone along the base border of the tile.

Permit all this dry for 24 hours until you go back and replace your electrical sockets, switches and covers. If you are using a penetrating sealer, be certain that you inspect the container to the time frame for applying.

Jared Erwin

Notice here how the brick pattern continues through the corner; the lines stay the same. Take your time, follow these simple steps, and ask questions when you buy your supplies.

A tile backsplash creates a huge difference in the look and feel of any kitchen. And once you’ve completed this job on your kitchen, go take a look at your bathroom vanity. The options are infinite.

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