DIY Network

Kitchen Demolition, Pt. 3: Installing a Backsplash A kitchen overhaul that includes new hardwood flooring, cabinets and backsplash. Check out more home value-enhancing projects from Sweat Equity. From "Sweat Equity" episode DSEQ-206

The kitchen backsplash

With the new cabinets and granite counter installed, the final touch is the backsplash. Having chosen a travertine tile in a French pattern, this backsplash installs very quickly and looks like the work of a professional.

Below is a summary of the basic steps as seen in this Sweat Equity project, as well as a list of materials and tools used and some installation tips.

Materials and tools:

trowel
tile saw
utility knife
ceramic tile adhesive
grout
sealant
rag
wax pencil
plumb leveler
tape and protective paper
spacers and tile shim

Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection and follow proper safety precautions when working with power tools or pneumatic tools.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Installing a Backsplash

Tips:

• The travertine tiles featured in this episode are pre-spaced on mesh sheets, eliminating the need to use spacers between each tile (figure A).

• Use a 1/8" shim or spacers between the bottom tiles and the countertop to allow space for caulk bead.

• Cleaning the face of the tile as you go will save you the stress of trying to get off the dried adhesive.

Steps:

• Cover the counters and any adjacent cabinets with tape and paper to keep them clean.

• Before you start, lay out the tile in the desired pattern (figure B). You can see what cuts you will need to make and where obstacles come up like outlets and windowsills.

• Using a pre mixed tile adhesive makes the job go quicker, very smoothly and with a lot less mess. Apply the adhesive to the wall holding the notched trowel at a 45-degree angle (figure C).

• Firmly press the tile into the adhesive and give it a wiggle to make sure it creates the necessary suction to set properly (figure D).

• Tip: Check for level on the top of the tile or sheet of tile as you go to keep the project as plumb as possible (figure E).

• Continue laying tile, cutting around any obstructions using the tile saw (figure F).

• When finished wait for the adhesive to dry and apply grout and sealant.