SUPPLIES
- Tile
- Mortar
- Wet saw
- Notched trowel
- Smooth trowel
- Bucket
- Sponges
- Spacers
- Level
- Chalk line
- Grout
Overview
A kitchen backsplash, the area between the bottom of your kitchen cabinets and the top of the countertop, can add visual interest, color, focus and ease of cleaning in any kitchen. Installing a kitchen backsplash can be a do-it-yourself project, but it will take planning.
Step 1
Choose the tile you want to install. Subway tiles are a throwback to the 3-by-6-inch tiles originally installed in New York subways. At one time only available in white, subway tiles are now available in a multitude of colors and various materials, such as glass, ceramic and porcelain. Mosaic tile refers to small 2-by-2-inch tiles that are mostly available in glass. You don't have to install each 2-inch tile individually though; they come on 12-by-12-inch netted sheets.
Step 2
Order your tile. Measure your backsplash left to right and the space from the top of your counter to the bottom of your cabinets. Give these measurements to your supplier to calculate the amount of tile required. Tile is priced in square feet. The supplier will add in 10 percent to 20 percent extra for any cuts or possible mistakes.
Step 3
Decide how to install your tile. When using square or rectangular tile, install it in a staggered or brick pattern. Once the first row has been installed, the first tile on the second row will begin at the middle of the first row. Install from the countertop up. Check this out first as a dry fit to see how you'll like it. Use painters tape to place tile on the wall. It's also easiest to begin the installation from an inside corner so that any cuts will be on the ends of the wall, giving you full tiles across the largest part of the wall.
Step 4
Prep the walls. How well you prepare the wall will directly affect how easily the tile installation goes. Remove any light and outlet covers. The walls should be smooth without any holes, so use spackle to fill in imperfections. Tile has to be even, so use a level to get the walls as straight as possible with a minimal amount of bumps. Once holes have been filled in, let the wall and spackle dry, usually overnight. Then use a medium to fine sandpaper to smooth the spackle out. Remove any residual dust. Use a damp sponge to wipe surfaces. Don't use a lot of water; the wall shouldn't be saturated. Let it dry overnight again.
Step 5
Use drop cloths, rags and towels to keep any mess to a minimum. Use the chalk level to create a straight line to serve as a guide for placing the tile.
Step 6
Mix the adhesive. The mortar should be mixed as directed by the manufacturer instructions on the package. The consistency should be easily spreadable but not runny, like toothpaste consistency.
Step 7
Use the notched trowel to apply mortar to the wall. The trowel will put the mortar on the wall with grooves. Work in a small section, only putting as much mortar on a wall that you can cover before it sets. Place the tiles on the wall and wiggle them slightly to allow the mortar to spread and cover the entire back of the tiles. If using mosaic tiles, put them on the wall with the net side out. Once they dry, you'll remove the netting before applying grout. Use the spacers in between the tiles as you place them to keep them straight and even.
Step 8
Continue placing whole tiles. When you need to fit tile, it's best to cut it with a wet saw, which cuts the tiles while using water to keep the blade and tile cool and thus avoid breaking the tile. It also keeps dust down. Measure twice, cut once. If you're using mosaic tile around outlet and switches, cut the netting that holds the individual tiles and remove the extra to fit around the openings. Continue placing tiles and spacers until you've covered the entire area. Remove the spacers before finishing for the day.
Step 9
Let the tile dry 24 hours or according to the manufacturer's directions on the mortar you purchased.
Step 10
Grout the tile. Grout fills in the spaces in between each tile. It comes in different colors, so pick a complimentary color that will go with the tile or a contrasting color that will set the tile off. Mix the grout according to the manufacturer's directions. Apply grout using the smooth trowel. Apply grout over tile with gentle pressure to get in between each tile evenly. Once again, work in a small area but larger than the mortar area. Use a clean sponge and bucket of water to remove excess grout from the surface of the tiles. Be careful not to wipe too hard; you don't want to remove grout from in between the tiles. Create an even line in between tiles. Keep applying grout and wiping the excess until the entire wall is covered.
Step 11
Replace the outlet and light covers and clean up.
