How to Tile a Backsplash to Drywall

A ceramic tile backsplash beautifies a kitchen or bathroom and allows for easier cleanup of surrounding walls. Ceramic, porcelain and stone tile are suitable materials for installing a backsplash. Install them with a type of adhesive called mastic. Available in 3-gallon buckets, the material comes premixed and applies with a standard V-notch trowel. Plan ahead and carefully lay out the desired pattern so project goes smoothly. Professional installers complete a typical backsplash in a few hours. With adequate understanding of tile installation methods, a homeowner can expect this project to take the bulk of a day.

Instructions

1

Choose a suitable tile for the backsplash area. There are many types and styles available. Choose a tile that complements the decor of the applicable area.

2

Determine the layout of the backsplash area based on the size of the tile and the desired pattern. Take careful measurements with a tape measure to determine the best approach to the layout. Consider a pattern that offers the least amount of cuts and best fits the backsplash area to make installation easier. Often the ends of the backsplash and top row require cut pieces. These areas require bull nose or decorative end caps to provide a finished appearance.

3

Use a 2-foot level and draw a vertical line in the center of the backsplash area. This mark provides a reference point to aid in the layout and installation of the tile.

4

Apply the mastic to the backsplash area using the V-notched trowel. Hold the trowel in a 45-degree angle to ensure an even and consistent coat. Do not spread too much mastic at one time as the mastic will start to dry in about an hour.

5

Set the first row of tile starting at the center line drawn in step 3 and working towards the ends. Place the tile in the applicable location and firmly press it into place. Fill in the remaining rows while saving the cuts for last. If you're using tile larger than 4 inches, put in plastic spacers to prevent the tile from sagging and to maintain proper spacing. Keep a bucket of water and sponge handy to clean excess adhesive during installation. Use the margin trowel to clean excess adhesive from the grout joints. It is easier to remove the adhesive before it has a chance to dry.

6

Mark and cut applicable tile using a tile cutter or the angle grinder. Ceramic tile cuts easily with a standard tile cutter. Cutting stone tiles requires an angle grinder or wet saw. Install the cut tile.

7

Allow the tile to set overnight for best results. Apply the grout with a grout float once the tile is dry. Mix the grout in a clean bucket with a margin trowel following manufacture's instructions. Apply the grout to the tiled surface and work into the grout joints with the grout float. Use a clean, damp sponge in circular motions to smooth the grout joints and remove excess grout.

8

Allow the grout to develop a slight haze, usually in about a half an hour. Gently wipe a 2-foot section with one side of the sponge to remove the haze. Flip the sponge over and repeat. Rinse the sponge in clean water between each pass. Repeat this step over the entire backsplash area.

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How to Create a Nonpermanent Backsplash

The long strip of wall above the sink called the backsplash in a kitchen or bathroom is often a focal point in the room's design. But sometimes someone else's idea of good design is quite different from your own. If you're renting, this can pose an aesthetic problem. Create a nonpermanent backsplash to address boring tile jobs, problematic blank walls or just to add another personal touch to your kitchen or bathroom. Remember that the backsplash should be waterproof; don't put objects that can't withstand moisture in this temporary home.

Instructions

1

Stick temporary "tile tattoos" on ceramic tiles over the sink. Contemporary designs include geometric patterns, flowers and birds. Find them at home renovation centers or online boutiques. Alternatively, look for wall decals that can cover several tiles at once. Trim a large wall decal such as a roaring tiger and adhere small portions of it onto individual tiles to create a one-of-a-kind abstracted design.

2

Hang photos in frames of a uniform size adjacent to one another in a long row along the wall to create a temporary backsplash. Use copies of photos in plexiglass frames to avoid damaging your art. Alternatively, cut a long narrow piece of plexiglass, attach it to the wall with screws just above the countertop and slip a collection of images, such as your postcards of Michael Jackson through the years, behind it.

3

Cut a strip of temporary wallpaper for an elegant look. Measure it precisely. Cut it with a ruler and utility knife. Temporary wallpaper is designed for easy removal and won't harm the wall. Find a design you love and paint the rest of the kitchen or bathroom to complement it.

4

Hang a long narrow strip of tin ceiling tiles on nails behind the sink area to create a reflective and hip backsplash that is especially appropriate in a small apartment. Choose antique tiles with dark red walls and weathered wooden cabinetry to create an Old World effect in a kitchen.

5

Hang a long strip of metal and cover it with magnets to create a rotating display of postcards, laminated photos or artwork. Find fantastical magnets in Chinatown, at carnivals or in specialty home decor boutiques for additional visual interest.

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Creative Kitchen Backsplash Ideas

The purpose of a kitchen backsplash is to protect the walls above your kitchen sink, stove and counter from being damaged by cooking-related activities, as water, grease and food stains can mar the walls. However, backsplashes can serve a decorative purpose as well. Many homeowners use their backsplashes to accent their existing kitchen decor, choosing materials and patterns that highlight and frame their kitchen's architectural features and fixtures. When selecting a backsplash, don't forget its functional purpose--pick one made from durable, stain-resistant materials.

Metal Backsplashes

The traditional choice for professional cooking facilities, metal backsplashes clean easily, resist wear and tear well, effortlessly repel water and look chicly modern. A tin or stainless steel backsplash will last for years. Personalize your metal backsplash by choosing metal tiles that have been stamped or imprinted with a decorative pattern. Metal backsplashes fit naturally in clean white kitchens or colorful Mediterranean-style kitchens; however, they can also provide unexpected distinction to wood-heavy farmhouse kitchens or shabby chic vintage-inspired kitchens.

Tiled Backsplashes

Tiled backsplashes appear in the majority of home kitchens, for good reason. Whether made from glass, ceramic or other materials, glazed backsplash tiles can be maintained and kept immaculate with little effort. They also offer a multitude of design possibilities, as they come in hundreds of colors and can be placed in virtually any pattern. Use your tiled backsplash to tie your kitchen together by choosing colors that pick up on disparate colors from your kitchen's color scheme. Arrange your tiles in checkerboard, mosaic or diamond patterns. You can also add drama to your tiles by painting them--simply choose a kitchen-safe paint and cover with a water-repellant sealant.

Marble Backsplashes

A marble backsplash adds instant elegance to any kitchen. White marble pairs well with white or pale green kitchens; however, marble can be found in many shades. Older marble can be "recycled" for backsplash use; this option works well if you want your kitchen to be ecologically friendly. Since marble can be expensive, a practical option might be to use it only in some areas, using a less expensive stone to cover the rest of your backsplash.

Mirrored Backsplashes

Mirrored backsplashes help small kitchens to look larger, since their reflective surfaces magnify light and give kitchens a "windowed" effect. In addition, dirt and grease wipe off easily. They also coordinate well with virtually any decor, as they will replicate your kitchen's existing colors. Take advantage of your mirrored backsplash by mounting lighting above it in strategic areas, such as the undersides of your cabinets. This will bring even more light into your kitchen.

Bamboo Backsplashes

Bamboo makes an excellent backsplash material, as this wood has exceptional hardness. This material also has ecologically friendly qualities, as bamboo grows very quickly and so is a highly renewable resource. Bamboo backsplashes complement natural or earthy kitchen styles.

Painted Backsplashes

If you can't afford to install a kitchen backsplash yet, you can still create a backsplash effect by painting the backsplash areas of your kitchen. Use acrylic paint, stencil patterns and motifs directly onto your wall and seal with polyurethane. You can also paint tile patterns or fill this area in with a solid accent color. Frame your faux backsplash with thin strips of molding for a polished effect.

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How to Tile a Kitchen Backsplash with Matching Granite Accents

Granite countertops are a favorite amenity in modern kitchens. If you're remodeling the kitchen yourself, then you'll need a backsplash that either matches or augments that granite. Installing a one-piece granite backsplash isn't usually a feasible do-it-yourself project, but there's no reason you can't install granite tile backsplash to complement that countertop. Your tile dealer can bevel some of the granite tiles to fit around the perimeter.

Instructions

1

Mark the space you want for the backsplash with a pencil and level. Calculate the size to encompass all full tiles with no cuts.

2

Apply thin-set mortar over the marked area with a notched trowel.

3

Set the lowest row of standard granite tiles in place in the area, putting spacer between them as you hang them.

4

Hang the next-highest row of tiles to the wall above the first. Repeat and continue, working your way up the wall course by course. Put spacers between all of them. Do the entire marked area.

5

Apply mortar to the back of a beveled granite tile. Set it to the wall along the edge of the tiled area with the finished side facing outward. Repeat for each beveled tile around the perimeter.

6

Let the tiles set for 12 hours. Take out the spacers.

7

Spread unsanded grout over the tiles with a grout float, forcing it into the spaces between the tiles. Don't grout the bottom space between the lowest row of tiles and the countertop. Wipe up the residual grout with a damp sponge.

8

Allow the grout set for 24 hours. Run a caulk line in the space where the bottom row of tiles run along the counter.

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How to Create a Kitchen Backsplash

A backsplash is a covering for your kitchen walls just above the counters. A kitchen backsplash protects the drywall from spills and splashes. The backsplash can be used to cover only a few inches of the wall along the counters, or you may choose to cover the entire wall with the backsplash material. Creating a backsplash can be simple or complicated, depending on the materials you choose, but most home owners can install a backsplash on their own with a few basic tools.

Instructions

1

Choose what type of material you would like to use for your backsplash. A common choice for a kitchen backsplash is ceramic or stone tile because it comes in a variety of colors and patterns, it is durable and long-lasting, and it can be cleaned easily. You can also choose vinyl tiles, glass tiles or smooth-textured wallpaper to protect the walls in your kitchen.

2

Measure the total area of wall you will be covering. Make note of both the length and the height of the wall area. Take your measurements to a home improvement center or hardware store, and purchase enough backsplash material to cover the wall area with several extra feet of material to cover cutting errors and miscalculations in your measurements.

3

Place your backsplash material against the wall to approximate the placement of the tiles or sections of wallpaper. Mark the center of the wall--that is where you will begin placing the backsplash. Use a laser level to draw a straight line across the top of the backsplash placement, and snap a chalkline to use as a guide for this line during installation.

4

Use a tile cutter to cut ceramic and porcelain tile, and use a tile saw to cut stone or granite tiles. Trim vinyl tiles using scissors or shears, and score glass tiles with a scoring tool that allows you to snap the tile into pieces. Arrange the backsplash sections to fit your wall, cutting out spaces for electrical outlets and switches.

5

Apply adhesive to the walls with the flat side of a metal trowel. Adhesives are best to use with vinyl tiles and heavy wallpaper, but some adhesives are made to work with glass and ceramic tile, as well. If you are installing stone tiles, it's best to use thinset mortar and grout. Spread a thin layer on the wall about 3/8 of an inch thick, and apply the same amount to the back of the backsplash tiles. Position the backsplash on the wall, and hold it into place for several seconds until it is secure. Allow the adhesive or thinset to cure at least 24 hours before adding grout or additional details.

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How to Install Backsplash Kitchen Wall Tile

Kitchen designs often focus on one central aspect of the room. One way to shape and control the design and appearance of your kitchen is to choose and install a new tile backsplash. The large variety of colors and designs in tiles allows the installer to customize the pattern and look, establishing a truly unique aesthetic for the room.

Instructions

1

Detach all installations and fixtures from the wall, including outlet and switch covers. If you have any nail holes, dents or divots in the wall, fill in these low areas with filler putty. Allow any repair work to dry completely before continuing with installation.

2

Wrap a piece of 80-grit sandpaper around a sanding block. Sand the entire backsplash wall, roughing up the surface. This will bring any repair work flush with the rest of the surface, and will also make the old paint more accepting of tile adhesive.

3

Measure to the horizontal center of the backsplash area with a measuring tape. Draw a vertical line up from this point to create a guideline to follow during installation.

4

Lay out your tiles in your desired pattern on the floor or countertop next to the backsplash. This will help to ensure you have your desired pattern and will make it easier to install the tiles in the proper order.

5

Mix tile mastic and water in a bucket, following the mastic's product instructions. Some adhesives may require other additives as well, so follow all instructions carefully.

6

Spread the mastic across the bottom of the backsplash wall, holding your mason's trowel at a small angle to achieve an even layer of mastic. Only cover an area large enough to support eight tiles; otherwise, the mastic may dry before you have a chance to lay tiles in the entire area.

7

Set the tiles in the bottom row first, starting at your center guideline. Leave a small gap (1/8 inch to 1/4 inch) between the bottom row of tiles and the top of the counter for later sealing. Press all tiles firmly into place.

8

Cut tiles to fit under a cabinet or against the edge of the backsplash. Measure the full tile and the location it needs to fit, and cut it with a tile cutter.

9

Continue installing tiles, adding more mastic as necessary. If the mastic dries too quickly, scrape off the old layer and apply a completely new layer of adhesive with the flat edge of your trowel. Allow all tile adhesive to dry overnight before grouting.

10

Mix unsanded grout and water in a bucket per product instructions. Spread the grout across the surface with a rubber grout float. Move diagonally across the tiles to pack the grout firmly into the joints.

11

Wipe the tiles clean of excess mortar with a damp sponge. After 30 to 45 minutes, buff the tiles with a clean, dry rag to remove any haze leftover from the grout.

12

Apply a thin bead of silicone caulk into the area between the bottom tiles and the countertop. You may also need to caulk around cabinets or other fixtures, where grout does not fit.

13

Reinstall all fixtures once the grout and caulk dry for at least 24 hours.

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How to Retile a Backsplash

Many kitchen and bathroom tiles now come on pre-spaced mesh sheets. These decorative tile sheets can cover a one foot square area in a fraction of the time it used to take. This makes retiling a backsplash relatively fast and easy. You should be able to accomplish this retile in less than a weekend, depending on the size of your backsplash.

Instructions

1

Cover the counter. Use an old sheet or paint drape to cover the countertop and protect it from adhesive and damage.

2

Remove old tile. If there's any tile currently on your backsplash, carefully remove it with a hammer and chisel. Be careful not to damage the drywall.

3

Draw a guide line. Decide how high you want your backsplash and use a tape measure and level to draw a straight guide line. The top edge of your tile will line up with this line.

4

Measure and do a dry fit. Lay your tile out against the wall to measure out the pattern. Mark on the tile where you'll need to cut for electrical outlets.

5

Lay the tile using a notched trowel and tile adhesive. Begin in the center and work your way out. Apply a thin layer of adhesive to the wall with the notched side of the trowel. Press the tile into the adhesive.

6

Cut and fit tile into small areas. Use a tile saw or tile cutter to cut pieces of tile to fit around electrical outlets and in corners.

7

Clean off any adhesive. Wipe the tile with a clean, damp cloth or sponge.

8

Apply grout. Prepare according to directions and apply at a 45 degree angle with the rubber grout float. Make sure grout is completely packed into the space between tiles.

9

Wipe tiles and smooth grout. When the grout starts to get firm, wipe the tile with a clean damp sponge. Smooth out the grout lines and wipe entire surface with damp sponge. After the grout dries there may be a film on the tile, remove it with a damp cloth.

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