Tired of plain walls and looking to add visual interest to your kitchen? Tiles are a stylish and affordable way to amp up the look and feel of your space. But they aren’t just a pretty face. A kitchen backsplash tile protects the wall, guarding against everyday splashes and splatters. The best part? You can DIY install a backsplash and achieve a professional finish.
Tiling the backsplash is a quick home improvement project with long-term value. How do you do it you ask? Read on and follow this step-by-step guide for a stunning and practical surface!
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Measure and gather tiling material
First thing first: measure the kitchen backsplash area to find out the number of tiles needed to get the job done. When shopping for tiles, we recommend investing in 10-15% more product to avoid possible setbacks.
Cutting tile can go wrong, cracks can occur, and wastage is unavoidable. So a wise thing to do is to always have extra material. And while at it, ensure you have quality adhesive, grout, and sealant in hand—as well as the right tools like tile cutter, spacers, trowel, and cleaning sponge.
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Prepare and clean the wall
For a long-lasting install, this step is crucial. The surface to be tiled should be clean, smooth, leveled, and dry. This provides a good foundation for a successful application.
It’s never a good idea to tile over bumps, loose paint, or any irregularities as it will lead to tile misalignment. Coat the clean surface with a primer and allow ample drying time to ensure the tiles stay in place for years to come.
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Plan your backsplash layout
Now that you have your wall all prepped up, dry plan the tile layout using tape. Doing this lets you visualize how the tiles will look once adhered to the wall.
Make cuts as needed using a manual tile snap cutter, angled grinder, or wet saw. Allow for a 1/8-inch expansion gap along the countertop. Mark the center point of the wall that best suits your tile selection.
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Spread the adhesive and lay tiles
Scoop the adhesive using a notch trowel and spread it onto the surface. Work in small sections, smoothening it out to avoid air pockets from forming.
Place the tile and use your hands or a rubber mallet to press it down into the adhesive to the correct level. Complete the first raw, using tile spacers in between joints for uniform gaps.
A mistake to avoid is thinking you can eyeball the correct space between tiles. You’ll only end up with a crooked tiled backsplash that’s noticed for the wrong reasons.
Once you’ve laid about half a dozen tiles, use a level to check if the installation is straight. Place the rest of the tiles and allow your new backsplash to dry and cure for at least 24 hours.
If you’re installing natural stone like marble, you’ll need to seal the tiles before grouting. Marble is a porous material that requires this extra step to enhance durability and resistance.
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Fill tile joints with grout
Once the adhesive has set, it’s time to remove the spacers and start grouting. For this process, use a rubber-edged float to fill tile joints with grout.
Allow grout to set for about 10-15 minutes then wipe away excess with a damp sponge before it hardens. Rise the sponge often and repeat this step until the tile surface has been wiped clean.
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Add a sealant to grout lines
Now that the grout has dried, wipe the tile surface with a soft, clean cloth to remove any haze. Seal grout lines for easy cleaning and maintenance down the road.
This will guard against staining, discoloration, and chipping. Add caulk into the joint between the backsplash tile and countertop to seal and complete installation.
