Enhance you Kitchen by Installing a Backsplash !

When my girlfriend Angela asked me to help her install
her backsplash, I was delighted !
Angela is very much a "Do it Herselfer" ! 

Because I have done this a few times, and teach
"how to install a backsplash" at Mohawk College,
I was able to give her some hands on tips !

She chose a lovely subway style pattern for her tumbled marble tile - Beautiful !
Her cabinets are cherry and counter-top is a granite looking laminate !

Picking the right tile for your kitchen can be daunting !  If you are unsure stay on the plain (safe) side, or send me an email with pics - I will help you ! pamelastiles@me.com
It's not just about colours that co-ordinate - it's about harmony & balance as well !
A good rule of thumb is,
If you have a busy counter-top pick a plain backsplash !
If you have a plain counter-top you can choose a louder backsplash !

Measure your area (length x width) to determin square footage - this will tell you how many tiles to buy. If you need help, take the measurements to the store & the sales people will do it for you !
Always buy more than you need, consider cutting & breakage. Be careful if the tiles are on sale or clearance - you don't want to run out ! I always buy way more than I need & return the leftovers.

Laying your tiles on the counter-top to position them correctly is something I strongly recommend.
This really helps:

•  for placement of the tiles around the outlets & switches, for less cutting.
•  to determine where you will start and finish
•  for spacing between tiles - to minimize cutting
•  to have the best tiles positioned for optimum view.

 

Tools needed for this project are:

wet saw (for marble) - measuring tape - nippers - level - chalk line - tile float - notched trowel - sponge - utility knife - tiles sanding block - bucket - safety glasses - tile spacers

Materials needed are:
Your selected tiles, ( keep in mind - the smaller the tile the less cutting) - adhesive (dry or pre-mixed) - grout (dry or pre-mixed)- sealant
This is tile edge trim - If you have a wall that continues into another space, this can go on the end of the wall so the edge of the tiles & adhesive will be covered.

Make a chalk line to be sure all the tiles are straight.

Use paint sticks for spacing the first row from the counter-top,, as seen in the above pic.

Spacers will help keep the lines uniform.

You can apply the adhesive, with the notched trowel, directly onto the wall or on the back of each tile, this is called buttering the tile. Here Ang had decided to butter the tile backs to maintain her chalk lines and have more control over excess adhesive.

Once the installation is complete and the adhesive is dry, following manufacturers instructions, it's time to grout ! Using the appropriate grout, sanded or non-sanded and the grout float, apply the grout to tile surface using a sweeping pattern on a 45 degree angle to fill joints all over the tiles. Try not to leave too much grout on the tiles as it will be more work to get it off after.
I had a client that used green painters tape to cover the top of each tile then grout - big job but it would save a lot of cleaning later.
Along the bottom edge of the tiles against the counter-top and in the corner area, I use a caulking that is a combination of grout & calking sealant in a tube, this will not crack as grout will when your house moves (all houses move).
All the tiles need to be washed off using a tiling sponge and water. This is a very important step !
Be sure to submerse the sponge into the water then ring it out so that it feels only damp and can't drip. You do not want to add any more water to your grout ! Wipe in a circular motion and rinse the sponge &  change the water often.

Once you are happy with your work and it is completely dry, apply the sealant ( follow manufacturer's instructions) to protect your natural stone tiles and grout.

Great Job Angie !!!

Let me know if you liked this blog !