A ceramic tile backsplash is one of the most beautiful components that you can add to a kitchen in order to breathe some new life into it.
There are some beautiful tile designs out there, and installing a new backsplash is much easier than most people expect. It can be done over a weekend, you don’t need any expensive materials, and there is a huge range of tiles that fit every budget and decor requirement.
In this guide, we’ll be giving you a simple step-by-step guide on how to install a new ceramic tile backsplash in your kitchen.
1. Gathering your materials
To start, let’s put together a list of materials that you will need for the job.
- Tiles – You may want to take a look at different tiles to ensure that you have tiles that fit the rest of your decor. Prices can vary greatly depending on the brand you purchase.
- Grout – You’ll be filling in the spaces between your tiles with grout to cement them in place.
- Caulk – Used to seal the gap between the tiles and your countertops.
- Tile adhesive – Used to stick the tiles to your wall.
The type of tile you use will greatly change the appearance of your backsplash. You may also want to pick a different grout colour to match your tiles.
Ceramic is often the tile of choice. They are easier to maintain and some people prefer the overall aesthetics.
However, glass tiles reflect light and can make your kitchen appear a little larger and brighter than usual. They can resist stains better than ceramic tiles and they’re great to fend off mould and mildew.
However, glass tiles can get more expensive especially if you’re not using recycled glass tiles. They’re more prone to scratches and you’ll need to grout your tiles correctly for it to look as amazing as ceramic.
Next, you’ll need to gather a few tools.
- Notched trowel – Used to apply the adhesive to the wall
- Grout float – For applying grout towards the end of the project
- Sponge – To clean the grout off tiles
- Two buckets – Use one to mix your grout and the other to hold water so you can clean the grout from your tiles
- Tape measure – For measuring the backsplash so we know how much to cut tiles
- Spirit level – To ensure that our tiles are installed straight
- Utility knife – Useful for cutting existing caulking
- Screwdriver – For removing outlet plates from the wall
- Pencil – To help mark tiles and draw templates
- Scraper – Used to get rid of any existing tile and adhesive on your wall
- Spacers – Can be used to maintain uniform grout joints
- Tile cutter – You’ll likely need to cut certain tiles to fit around corners or if they extend past a wall
- Contour gauge – If you have a window sill with a complicated pattern, a contour gauge can be useful to cut your tiles to match the shape
These are the basic tools and materials that you’ll need to install a ceramic tile backsplash. These tools won’t cost too much and can be reused if cleaned and stored well.
You’ll likely have a lot of leftover adhesive and grout, but you can keep it stored for future use. You may want to measure your wall before you purchase tiles to ensure you don’t buy too much, but it’s never a bad idea to have some spare in case you make a mistake.
Alternatively, you can use vinyl tiles. These typically stick onto the wall with an adhesive that is already on the vinyl tile itself. While the cost is comparable to ceramic or glass tiles, you won’t need to pay for grout or adhesive. You also won’t need many of the tools such as spacers, tile cutters or a trowel, thus saving you money.
2. Preparing your wall
For the adhesive to stick to your wall securely, you’ll need to clean up any existing adhesive and bits of tile.
Use your scraper to remove any extra debris. It doesn’t need to be extremely smooth, but you want to remove any bits that are sticking out.
Wipe them with a cloth to ensure they are not damp and they are free of dust.
This is also a good time to remove any electrical outlet plates from your walls.
The alternative is to install your ceramic tiles onto existing ceramic tiles. This is can be an option if you don’t mind the tiles protruding out from the wall a little more than usual and if your existing tiles have no obvious spaces in the grout. This can save you a lot of time cleaning up and removing existing tiles.
Remember to line your countertops with something like a sheet of paper or newspaper to prevent your countertops getting too dirty.
3. Measuring your walls
Use your tape measure to work out how many tiles you’ll need for your backsplash. A good idea is to measure the entire length of your wall and then use the midpoint as a starting point for your tiles. This is to ensure that both ends of the wall will look the same when you need to cut the tiles.
Make use of the spirit level and mark lines to use as guides when installing your tiles. Depending on your kitchen, you may need to measure awkward areas such as below window sills or around kitchen stovetops.
4. Cut your tiles if needed
After measuring, use your tile cutter to cut out certain shapes and pieces of tile depending on your needs. For instance, you may need to cut tiles to fit around electrical outlets, or you might have to cut end tile pieces depending on the pattern you use.
Use your electrical outlet plates as a guide when cutting tiles that fit around the outlets. Use your contour gauge if you have complicated window sill patterns to help you cut out intricate shapes from your tiles.
If you find that your tiles are too hard to cut with tile nippers, then you may need to hire a tile saw.
5. Applying tile adhesive
Tile adhesive will typically dry in around 20 to 30 minutes depending on the conditions in your kitchen. As such, if you’re working alone, you’ll want to apply the adhesive on small areas and work slowly instead of applying it to your entire wall.
Always start applying tiles from the bottom, making use of spacers to leave a gap for your caulk.
Use the trowel to smooth out the tile adhesive. Hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle and use the toothed edges to spread it evenly across your wall.
If you have awkward sections where your trowel cannot reach, you can spread the adhesive on your tiles instead and slot them in.
6. Attach the tiles
Once you’ve applied some adhesive (remember to work in small sections if you’re working alone) you can start adding the tiles to the wall. Push them firmly against the adhesive and use your spirit level to make sure they are straight.
If your tiles do not have built-in spacers, use your spacers to make sure the gaps between them are uniform.
As mentioned before, you may want to apply the adhesive to the back of small tile pieces if you can’t get the adhesive onto the wall with a trowel.
Once the tiles have been applied, leave it overnight to let the adhesive dry properly. This is why the project should be done over the weekend. You’ll want to leave the tiles for a minimum of 12 hours if you’re in a hurry, but waiting overnight is ideal.
7. Apply the grout
Once your wall is completely covered with tiles and has been left to dry overnight, you can now apply the grout. Mix the grout in one bucket according to the instructions (it should have the consistency of smooth toothpaste) and fill another bucket with water to use for cleaning.
First, remove your spacers if they are still between the tiles. Next, scoop the grout onto your float and apply it to your tiles. You should be moving your grout float at several different angles to ensure you are filling the gaps with grout and not pushing it out of the gaps.
If you are still working alone, work in small sections and clean the grout with your sponge as you go along. Again, make sure you work at different angles with your sponge so that you’re not pushing the grout out of the gaps.
Change the water regularly so that you always have a clean sponge to work with. Make sure the grout is applied consistently into the grooves. If you find there are some sections with less grout, don’t be afraid to scoop more with your float and fill in the grooves.
8. Finishing touches
The project is nearly finished! Now you’ll want to apply some finishing touches to complete the installation.
First, give your tiles another clean once the grout has dried. This should take another 12 to 24 hours. Use a clean cloth and wipe it down to remove any dirt or grime that has accumulated or any dried grout that has been left on.
Next, screw the outlets back on. You may need to cut tiles if they are preventing you from installing the plates again.
Finally, use your caulk to seal the bottom edge of your tiles where they meat with the countertops. Simply use your utility knife to cut out any existing caulk and scrape it away.
Next, use the same knife to cut a small opening at the end of your caulking gun at a 45-degree angle. Place this side flat against the small edge and gently apply it while running the gun along the edge.
Use a wet cloth or your finger to run along the caulk and remove any excess. This is to seal out any water and also prevent mould and mildew growth.
Project finished
And that’s all! Adding a ceramic tile backsplash to your kitchen is simple, inexpensive and can easily be done over a weekend when including drying time.
It’s always best to work together with others, but it’s absolutely fine to do this project on your own as long as you work in small sections.
Need help instead?
If you need any help with your ceramic tile backsplash fitting in commercial properties in London, Essex, Kent or Suffolk, why not give J&A Brickslips and Pointing a call today at 01702 233003 (CLICK TO CALL) or simply fill in our contact form and we’ll get back to you in no time.