Tile Options
Ceramic, glass, and stone tiles are the most common for backsplashes. Glass tiles come in variety of sizes and colors. If you’re looking to add a little shimmer or shine to your kitchen, glass tiles are a great option. Stone tile, whether granite, slate, or marble is typically the most expensive. Generally stone tile is going to come in a more neutral color palette, but its natural beauty can make your kitchen stand out. Ceramic tiles are usually the most affordable option and come in every shape, size and color, so they’re very versatile. When picking a color, be sure to match your tile to your fixtures, rather than your appliances. Add in an accent color to make your backsplash really pop.What You’ll Need to Install
• Newspaper• Tile
• Pre-mixed adhesive and trowel
• Sponge
• Spacers
• Pre-mixed grout and float
• Caulk
Installing Your Backsplash
1. After you decide on a tile style, you’ll need to measure your space to see how much you’ll need. In inches, measure from the top of the counter to the underside of the cabinets. Multiply the two numbers together to get the area. Tile is generally sold by square foot, in sheets with an easy to cut mesh backing.2. Once you are ready with your tile, make sure the surface of the wall is clean and dry. Lay down newspaper on the countertops for easier clean up.
3. Load your trowel with the premix adhesive and apply to the wall. Then, using the combed edge of the tool, gently pull through the adhesive to remove excess. It is best to do this in small sections, one section at a time.
4. Apply tile to the wall from the counter up to keep everything even. Once you’ve applied the tile over the adhesive, insert spacers between each square to make sure they stay straight. Continue until you’ve tiled the entire area, then remove spacers.
5. Wait for the tile to set completely (as indicated on the adhesive mix) until you apply the grout. Using a pre-mixed grout is easy. Apply grout to a float and run over tiles, making sure it sticks between the squares. Take a damp sponge to the tiles to clean off any extra grout from the surface.
6. The last thing you’ll want to do is seal the space between the counter and tile with a thin line of caulk.
Once your new backsplash is installed, you can replace the outlet covers that you previously removed. Keep in mind you may need to use longer screws to compensate for the added width from the tile. After your backsplash is complete, consider adding recessed lighting underneath your countertops so your work can shine, or more kitchen remodeling ideas visit Erie Construction.
