Install a ceramic tile backsplash

Do you feel confident that you can take on a project like this? You know we love to hear from you. Comment below and share your thoughts. That completes week 6 of the One Room Challenge. Certainly, I am loving the way my laundry room is coming together. And installing this tile backsplash has transformed the room. Click on the link and get inspired!

We love having new readers and friends! You can learn more about us here. Be sure to follow us on Pinterest for even more home decor and DIY ideas.

You can also find our video tutorials on our YouTube channel. Enjoyed the project? Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post! Published January 9th, PM. Popular Project Book.

View Project Book. Popular DIY Questions. How to fix a crack in a door frame? How to caulk baseboard gaps? How to remove popcorn ceiling with asbestos? Related DIY Projects. DIY Giant Nutcracker. Recreated Designs.

Pottery Barn Inspired Pedestal Bowl. The following will walk you through the four stages of installing a tile backsplash: 1 prepping the wall, 2 creating a layout, 3 attaching the tiles, and then 4 applying the grout and finishing the project.

The same process can be used to install tile in other areas, including countertops and shower walls. Repair the drywall by smoothing on a thin coat of drywall compound with a drywall taping knife.

Let the compound dry completely before proceeding. If there is no existing backsplash, you can skip this step. If the wall is already fairly clean, wiping it down with a damp sponge will suffice.

Determine the dimensions of your desired tile backsplash and snap a chalk line on the wall to indicate the top edge and side edges. Create your desired tile pattern on the countertop directly below where it will be installed. Carefully measure the wall dimensions and make sure the dimensions of the dry-set layout are identical. At this point, you may need to cut some tiles with a tile saw or a tile cutter to fit around outlets or switch boxes.

This means that tiny cracks develop in the glaze. Some glazes are designed to craze, which is a crackle finish. Crackle finishes need to be sealed to prevent staining. They come in many colors, but your choices may be limited with machine-made tiles rather than handmade tiles.

Handmade crackle tiles also vary in color. Many handmade ceramic tiles can also be hand-painted with decorative designs and images. Some may have 3D images embossed on the tile, and these are painted by hand to bring out the details. Others may be flat tiles painted to create a mural that you piece together. You can choose the exact colors you want to use since hand-painted tiles are made to order. If you are creating a Tuscan kitchen and want 3D tiles of grapes in several colors, you can order hand-painted tiles.

Many ceramic tiles come with a metallic glaze. This gives the tiles the appearance of different metals, including steel, copper, and bronze. Depending on the manufacturer, some of these glazes may contain actual metal like copper. When using these on your backsplash, keep in mind that copper is reactive with lemon and other acids. If you accidentally splash your backsplash with lemon juice or tomato sauce, it discolors.

While not as common as porcelain, large format ceramic tile exists. This means it can be difficult to cut and install. Large format ceramic tiles are only available machine made. Mosaics are tiles measuring 2 inches or smaller. There are many mosaic ceramic tiles. Some can be one color, others a blend, pattern, or small handmade decorative tiles. Mosaic tiles come mounted on a sheet, with most ceramic tiles netted on the back. This makes for an easier installation.

You can also cut the sheet into strips to use for borders. Some companies allow you to choose the color blends for a mosaic sheet. If you want a special and unique backsplash, consider getting inlaid ceramic tile. This is a handmade tile with sections carved from the wet clay. These sections are added back with a different colored clay. Then, the entire tile is given a clear glaze so that the colorful patterns show through.

The effect is full of depth and dimension and can give you a backsplash with personality. Get free estimates from trusted ceramic tile backsplash installation companies Get Free Estimates. Ceramic tile is great for its range of shapes and sizes and can be installed in countless patterns.

However, there are several common sizes, shapes, and patterns that most people use. Always have a few extra tiles left over for future repairs:. Subway patterns are one of the most popular patterns for backsplashes. The tiles are installed off-set from one another by half a tile. The straight-set pattern is the least expensive.

You can use square or rectangular tiles for this pattern and a single color or blend of colors. You can also use two or more colors to create a color pattern within the shape pattern, such as a checkerboard or using rows of tile to create stripes. Many people also like to install backsplash tiles diagonally. This gives the backsplash a more decorative look than a straight-set square tile.

Depending on how the installer starts the pattern, there may be cuts around the entire perimeter. You pay considerably more money for this installation, and you need considerably more material to account for the cuts. The herringbone pattern is made out of rectangular tiles. The tiles are installed set at degree angles, with the short ends abutting the long ends. This creates movement in the backsplash. It is most common to see this pattern installed behind the cooktop, with a subway pattern on the countertops.

A chair rail tile or a border tile can be used as a picture frame around the herringbone to set the two apart. A cut-corner pattern is not as common on the backsplash as on the floor, but it is still used sometimes, particularly in tone-on-tone patterns. For example, if you use two sizes of white tile, the pattern creates a subtle dimension.

In this pattern, the larger tile corners are cut, and the smaller tile is set in that place. An octagon-and-dot pattern is an example of a cut corner pattern, but not all corners need to be cut. The pattern can also be created by cutting just one corner of each tile and aligning the cut corners. This pattern takes a lot of time to properly put together, with the necessary cuts.

For this reason, these patterns cost more. Step patterns combine two sizes of tile in a backsplash without all the cuts. This is a more modern way of mixing sizes than the cut-corner pattern and works better in contemporary settings. This pattern is made with two sizes of square tiles. The smaller tile is installed at the top, side corner of the larger tile.

If you want to make the pattern interesting, substitute the smaller ceramic tile for a glass tile to pop out against the larger ceramic tile. Ceramic tiles come in many sizes. Most backsplashes are made of tiles ranging from 1 to 4 inches. You can also blend the tiles in different sizes to create a unique look.

Below are some of the average cost ranges for the most common sizes:. Ceramic tiles come in several sizes and shapes. Many companies make their tiles in several shapes to mix and match to create different patterns. Square tiles are the most common.

They come in the most colors and the most sizes in some cases. They can be installed straight, offset in a running bond, or turned on the diagonal. They can be laid in a single color or in a mixture of colors to create a unique backsplash. If your backsplash covers the area above your stove, you may need to avoid using it until the tiles have set into place.

Part 3. Smear tiling grout diagonally over the tiles. Use a grout float to scoop up some tile grout and begin smearing it over the tiles. Move the float diagonally, so as to push the grout into all of the spaces between your tiles.

Work across the entire backsplash until all of the gaps between tiles are filled with grout. Grout on the tiles will easily wash away, where the grout between should set in place. Grout should be available from your local hardware store, either premixed or as a powder. Follow the instructions on the powdered grout to hydrate it, generally by pouring it into a clean bucket and adding water until it reaches the consistency of mashed potatoes or peanut butter.

Grout floats are tools designed specifically for spreading grout and should be available from your local hardware store. Wipe away the excess grout after 10 minutes. Slightly dampen a sponge and wring out as much water as you can.

Working in diagonal strokes, wipe away the grout sitting on the face of the tiles. Clean the sponge regularly as you go to prevent grout from spreading over the tiles. You only need to wipe away the grout from the face of your tiles before it completely solidifies.

Let the grout dry for a further 45 minutes. As with the mastic, the grout will need more time to set up and solidify completely. Leave it for 45 minutes to an hour to completely set up, avoiding touching the tiles or grout while it dries. Line the edges of your backsplash with caulk. Caulk is a sealant that will help stop water or moisture from getting behind your tiles and damaging the mastic. Use a caulk gun or caulk pen to trace around all edges of your backsplash, sealing the tiles completely.

Run a wet finger over the caulk to smooth it, before leaving it to dry. Give the tiles plenty of time dry, ideally overnight. Once your tiling is finished and sealed, leave it for a further 24 hours to ensure that the mastic, grout, and caulk, are all given plenty of time to dry before you interact with them.

This will ensure that your tiling sets and that it will last for years to come. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow. Art Fricke. Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Tile cutters and wet tile saws can be rented at many home improvement stores at a daily rate.

If you anticipate future tiling projects, however, it may be more economical to purchase one yourself. Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0.