If you ever wanted to learn how to install a modern kitchen backsplash and drastically improve the look and feel of your kitchen this is where you will learn the steps to complete the job. We will discuss the tools you need to do the job using a variety of tiles because not all tiles are created equally.
The work can be done by you which can be rewarding as well as save you some coin as well.
Supplies Needed
Manual Porcelain and Ceramic Tile CutterPremium V-Notch Professional Trowel
Tile
Plastic spacers or wedges
Long level
Sanding stone
Powder Tile Adhesive
Utility Knife
Grout Float
Manual Tile Nipper
Wet Saw
Angle Grinder
Angle Bit Blade
Sanded Grout
511 Impregnator Sealer
Sponge
Rubber Grout Float
Surface Guard Sealer
Caulk
Step by Step Instructions
Adding a tile backsplash to your kitchen or bathroom is a great way to spice or modernize the room with character and colour.You can choose between stone, ceramic, porcelain. There are tons of amazing products and styles to choose from.
If you are new to this whole thing starting out with a small area like a backsplash is a great way to get experience along with a great result before going into a bigger project like maybe a shower stall.
The First Step is to lay out the backsplash. Since there are so many styles you can put just about anything on the wall.
Keep in mind the tile you use must fit into your space and so think about “making cuts”. The fewer the better.
Some ceramic or porcelain tiles come with small spacers already attached to the sides which work instead of a separate plastic spacer you would otherwise use. They will make the job go faster and the grout line straighter.
A natural stone however really looks good but has straight edges and so would need plastic spacers or wedges.
Make sure you have the correct spacer before you leave the store.
Wall tiles are usually thinner and lighter than floor tiles and so make sure you use the right tile for what you want to use it for and where you want to put it.
This video focuses on a glass mosaic tile which comes with a mesh backing making the job faster and easier.
This tile has great texture and colour so will add a little attitude to your space which might have been a bit bland before.
If you are lucky you might not have to do any more prep work after removing any old tile from the wall. Just make sure the surface is clean and has no bumps and is smooth.
If tiling on a painted wall first hand sand the wall with a coarse grit sandpaper to give it a rough surface and then wipe off the dust with a damp rag.
Layout of the tiles is your most important job so take some time to get this step right. This will give you a great professional look you will be proud of.
If using a bigger tile like a subway tile there might be some issues that you won’t have with the tile we are using in this video but it is good to know in case of future installations.
You must make sure you start with a level surface so use a level to see if the bottom line where you will start is level. Put the level on top of the line of the counter top or existing counter backsplash to see if level.
If it is not level you want to start tiling from the highest point and then use spacers as you work to the other end to keep it level.
The grout or caulking will fill in the extra space to make it look level and great.
Start with the full tile at the bottom and as you make your way to the top that is where you will need to make a cut for the tile to fit. At the top is under the cupboard so it is out of site and nobody can see the cut piece.
Tile should not sit on another hard surface so use those plastic spacers so you can later fill that space with caulking.
To get it level put the first piece of tile down and then draw a straight line using the level all the way across to where you finish. You now have a straight line to follow and the first row will be level.
To make sure the first row is straight put the adhesive on each single piece of tile and place it on the wall up against the line you drew.
If you want to go for the whole wall right away you will need a laser level to make sure the first row is level because you won’t be able to see the line you drew.
The second part is to make sure you have even cuts on iether sides of the wall you are working on. Measure the entire length of the row and find the center and then work out from there. This will ensure a balanced cut on each end.
You don’t want to start with a full tile on one end and end up with just a little sliver at the other end that doesn't match the first tile.
There might also be other things like a window to go around and it might not be centered either.
Just make sure you look at everything and plan accordingly so the finished product will look spectacular.
For this project we take the mesh tiles and lay them out side by side on the counter working from the edge in.
Mark a plum line on the starting edge so all edges are perfectly aligned.
We will use some of the actual tile as an edging so the final result will look clean with a nice border and hide any cuts we might have made.
It’s also less expensive to use these tiles rather than buy edgers which they charge to much for anyway.
The Second Step is to actually cut your tile. If you have some end cuts to make for a straight edge you can do this ahead of time to save time..
Tiles that have to fit under cabinets or around electrical sockets will have to be done at the time you are ready to install those tiles.
For a straight clean cut on porcelain or ceramic tiles you should use a manual snap cutter.
Just score the tile once and press down to make the cut. Use a sanding stone to smooth over the rough edges.
For glass or larger tiles use a wet saw which will produce smoother more precise cuts. Let the saw do the work so don’t force the tile through. Be careful not to cut yourself.
The Third Step is to Apply the Adhesive. Tile adhesive and trowel size will vary depending on the size and type of tile you are installing.
For this glass tile we are using a 3/16 inch v-notch trowel with an adhesive mixed from powder.
When mixing the powder with water make it the consistency of peanut butter. Place the adhesive on the wall and then while holding the trowel at an 45 degree angle rake over it with the notched side to create ridges that correspond with the depths of the notches.
Press the edge of the trowel right against the wall so the ridges are uniform.
This adhesive dries fairly quickly so just put on enough to attach a few tiles so it won’t get dry on you. Just add more as you go.
Step Four is Installing The Tiles: With small mosaic tiles it often comes on a mesh backing. It’s a common way to buy tiles these days and it makes it easy to take off pieces of tile from the mesh if needed or cut out sections using a utility knife.
Start the installation with your border tile and make sure to add the spacer under the bottom to allow for caulking.
Next comes the seal tile which is attached at the bottom with spacers and line up with the edge piece and the grout line.
Then go over the sheet with a grout float pressing it in to the wall and the adhesive.
In this case the edges have a full tile cut and then a half cut. Cut some small half cut tiles before hand and then just place them in to the spaces so the adhesive does not dry out before you can cut them and place them on.
Going around an electrical outlet means you will need to make some special cuts. It’s easy with the mesh tiles because you can just use your utility knife to cut the tiles that are in the way.
For other smaller cuts on ceramic, porcelain or stone you can use a Manual Tile Nipper which can also make rounded cuts.
Use a Wet Saw for cuts on larger tiles or an angle grinder with a Diamond Grit Blade.
Make sure the adhesive is always wet enough before you apply more tile. Touch it with your finger and if nothing sticks to your finger it is to dry. Take the trowel scrape off the dry adhesive and apply more fresh adhesive.
Because these tiles interlock spacers are not necessary other than the spacers at the bottom. Just fill in spaces with loose single tiles which you have pre-cut in advance.
If you have a tight space to small for the trowel just butter the back of the tile and then attach it directly to the wall.
Remember that your gap on the bottom will get larger as you go along if the counter top in uneven. Just add extra spacers if that happens.
The tile is all on and so you can take a 24 hour break so the adhesive can set up properly.
Step 5 Is Grout The Backsplash and Replace Receptacles. There is a Sanded Grout or a unsanded Grout. It depends on the tile you are using and the size of the grout joint.
The Sanded Grout is a bit more durable and does not shrink as much. You might think sanded grout would scratch the tile but you can use it as long as you are gentle in your application.
You will also need to seal the tile if working with natural stone. With glass this is not necessary.
If you don’t seal there is a haze or sediment that can build up and soak into the tile and actually ruin the tile job you worked so hard to complete.
We are using a powder form of grout but there is a pre-mixed as well. The powdered stuff works great.
Again mix with water to the consistency of peanut butter so it will not run down the wall after applying it.
Once mixed let sit for about ten minutes so it can what’s called “flaking” or activating and then get busy because you might only have 20 to 25 minutes working time to get this on.
Take out all the spacers if you haven’t already and then with a fairly wet sponge wipe down the wall preventing any dust from getting in the way of the grout.
Use a rubber grout float and smear on the grout in a direction that is diagonal to the grout line. At a 45 degree angle work the grout into all of the seams.
Do not grout the bottom seam where the tile meets the counter because here we will add caulking after grouting is finished.
After setting about ten minutes from where you started not finished take a slightly damp sponge and wipe at a 45 degree angle. Rinse the sponge frequently and clean the tile without adding any water to the grout.
Just take off the haze without pulling out any grout.
After drying over night wipe the tile again with a slightly damp sponge giving it a nice clean finish. With these glass tiles they should wipe clean just with a sponge.
After about two days you should apply a sealer which will protect the grout from mold, mildew or stain.
Next go around all the edges with a caulk that matches the tile to give it a clean finished look.
As a finishing touch you might need longer screws to attach the wall plate over the outlet because you now have the tile in place.
That’s it you can be proud because you just gave your kitchen a dramatic upgrade.
The finish is modern and sleek and will last a long time. This will make working on your favourite dish so much more fun.
Call your friends over and have a party.