Tile Backsplash on Kitchen Drywall
We look for more ways to make our kitchen attractive just to have a feel-good feeling when being there. Among the best way to beautify the look for your kitchen is to install a kitchen backsplash. The visual of your entire kitchen will be enhanced and this will add value for your home too. You can have wide choices of porcelain or ceramic tiles, and the advanced technology nowadays will help you install them sooner and faster compared to before. The process is not that difficult, it\’s quite easy if you understand the procedure well. Everyone should be able to install a tile backsplash in their kitchen so here are the steps on how to install them.
You will need:
- Tape measure
- Tile wet saw
- Tile spacers
- Old towel
- Notched trowel
- Pencil
- Tile cutting board
- Mastic adhesive
Steps:
- First, take the tile spacers and put it as a guide between each individual piece of tile. Spread several of them in a row of the countertop.
- Proceed to take the measurements for the distance between the tiles, and check that measurement against the height and the length of the backsplash.
- You can start with a full tile on the outside edges of the kitchen backsplash and also against the bottom where it meets the countertop. Place cuts in the corners and underneath the cabinets.
- You may want to adjust the layout in one direction or another. This will depend on the size of the tiles you are working with and how your measurements compare against the tiles that have been laid out.
- Some will prefer smaller cuts in the corner while others would prefer it bigger so it is your personal choice that will determine whether to start with cuts or full tiles.
- Spread the mastic adhesive on the drywall of the kitchen backsplash with a notched trowel beginning at your starting point.
- If you are still adjusting the speed of your installation, it is safe to spread only enough mastic adhesive and install a few pieces at a time so as not to mess up anything. This will prevent the adhesive to set up and become tacky. You can install it the easier way by starting at the bottom and outside edge, and spread towards the corner. Make sure to install the entire bottom before continuing working your way upwards.
- Take a piece of tile and stick it against the mastic adhesive. Apply pressure to move the title slightly in all directions to make a complete bond between the tiles, adhesive and the drywall.
- Move it to its final position once you have bonded the tile completely. Repeat the process with each individual tile that you place on the wall.
- Use tape measure and pencil to mark any cuts around the electrical outlets or corners of the cabinets and use a tile wet saw to cut.
- Dry off the backs of the cuts with an old clean towel to prevent moisture from penetrating the bond between the adhesive and tiles.
- You can use a tile-cutting board for any cuts against the bottom edge of the countertops. Leave the tiles to dry for a minimum of 24 hours before grouting the kitchen backsplash.
Additional Reading:
http://www.ehow.com/how_6499762_install-tile-backsplash-kitchen-drywall.html
Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/character/4277614108/
