DIY Network

Kitchen Makeover Pt. 3: Installing a Brick Backsplash A kitchen gets a fresh look with refinished cabinets, new backsplash and crown molding. From "Sweat Equity" episode DSEQ-201

The finished backsplash

Homeowner Kristen Thomas decides to use a brick for her backsplash as part of her kitchen redesign. At about the price of tile, brick veneer can give your kitchen an original feel for no extra price and is easy to install yourself.

Below is a summary of the basic steps, as well as a list of tools and materials needed, as seen in this DIY project.

Materials:

brick veneer
high strength construction adhesive
caulking gun
wooden dowel
grout
trowel
bucket of warm water
rag or towel
brick sealer
paintbrush

Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses when working with power tools.

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Tip: Use a wooden dowel to create your grout spaces.

Steps: Installing a Brick Backsplash:

• Begin by cleaning the wall where the backsplash is to be installed.

• Lay out a small section of brick to achieve desired pattern (figure A).

• Use a wooden dowel vertically and horizontally as a spacer to get your grout lines (figure B).

  Figure A

  Figure B

  
  

• Apply construction adhesive to brick then place brick on wall in desired location (figure C).

• Work one layer at a time until the wall is full (figure D).

  Figure C

  Figure D

  
  

• Make any cuts of your brick tile with a tile saw (figure E). You can get the look of aged brick by roughing up the edges of your tiles with the edge of a tile saw (figure F).

  Figure E

  Figure F

  
  

• When all brick is secured to the wall and given plenty of time to set, (about a day) mix grout and apply to spaces between bricks using a trowel. When the grout is dry apply sealant.

RESOURCES :

Robinson Brick
www.robinsonbrick.com