10:30 AM
Admin
The kitchen back splash used to simply be a basic metal, stone, tile or plastic layer of protection that was laid only behind kitchen sinks and stove tops to protect walls against permeation and staining by moisture or grease. Typically they measured about 4 inches tall and weren't particularly decorative. This has changed. Today, back splashed have expanded in size and become a major decorative feature of many kitchens -in addition to their protective properties. It's now common to see them cover every wall behind a kitchen counter, often reaching over a dozen inches high or covering all wall space between countertops and the cabinets above them.
These simple but very effective kitchen design features offer a pleasing aesthetic look while also protecting your walls from all kinds of oil stains, food stains and rot. Let's go over how to install a back splash in several easy steps that shouldn't take more than a weekend of work.
Choosing Back Splash Materials
Ideal materials for your back splash include substances like stainless steel, ceramic tile and certain types of stone. Stone will cost you quite a bit more than tile or steel but will probably create the prettiest decorative effect. Furthermore, with stone or tile, you have a range of design patterns to choose from that won't be available with a stone back splash. However, if you're set on stone, be sure to pick a smooth, hard rock like granite (the most ideal) and avoid softer, absorbent rock such as marble; it may look pretty but marble is also super absorbent and will eventually discolor quite badly.
The most maintenance free back splash material will probably be steel, since it can be laid in a single impervious sheet. Tile and granite panels, on the other hand, will have to regularly be resealed every couple of years to prevent moisture from seeping behind them. Tile in particular, although great due to price and diversity of designs, can be burdensome when it comes to reapplying grout between all of the tiles every so often.
When it comes to your material of choice, just keep in mind your budgetary constraints and what fits best with the rest of your kitchen's existing look. The rest is up to your tastes. The rest of our steps here will deal with a tile back splash.
These simple but very effective kitchen design features offer a pleasing aesthetic look while also protecting your walls from all kinds of oil stains, food stains and rot. Let's go over how to install a back splash in several easy steps that shouldn't take more than a weekend of work.
Choosing Back Splash Materials
Ideal materials for your back splash include substances like stainless steel, ceramic tile and certain types of stone. Stone will cost you quite a bit more than tile or steel but will probably create the prettiest decorative effect. Furthermore, with stone or tile, you have a range of design patterns to choose from that won't be available with a stone back splash. However, if you're set on stone, be sure to pick a smooth, hard rock like granite (the most ideal) and avoid softer, absorbent rock such as marble; it may look pretty but marble is also super absorbent and will eventually discolor quite badly.
The most maintenance free back splash material will probably be steel, since it can be laid in a single impervious sheet. Tile and granite panels, on the other hand, will have to regularly be resealed every couple of years to prevent moisture from seeping behind them. Tile in particular, although great due to price and diversity of designs, can be burdensome when it comes to reapplying grout between all of the tiles every so often.
When it comes to your material of choice, just keep in mind your budgetary constraints and what fits best with the rest of your kitchen's existing look. The rest is up to your tastes. The rest of our steps here will deal with a tile back splash.
- Make your Measurements
Once you've chosen your material or tile pattern in this case and decided how much of the kitchen walls behind your counters you want to cover in back splash, measure out the area's dimensions. This is usually a simple process of multiplying the height of the wall area by its width or length. In some cases, you might have to take separate measurements for several separate areas of wall and add them together while subtracting for any large gaps inside the backsplash area (such as those for other hanging cabinets, etc.
Always buy about 5 to 10% extra tile for your project just in case you need it or some ends up breaking.
Additionally, as you measure, you should draw a series of straight horizontal lines with the aid of you level to help align your tiles later as you work. - Prepare your Tools
To install this particular back splash, you're going to need the following: tile float, notched trowel with a smooth side, sponges, bucket, tile cutter, tape measure, a long level, utility knife, water resistant tile adhesive, grout and, of course, your tiles. Have all the tools at hand and ready so you don't waste time as you work. - Apply Adhesive
Stir up your water resistant tile adhesive and scoop out a moderate amount onto your trowel. Apply it evenly, smoothly and to a depth of no more than an 8th of an inch across a small portion of your back splash area using the serrated side of the trowel. Do not over apply the adhesive to a wide area as it will dry out if you take too long to lay tiles over it. - Lay Down your First Tiles
Once a small section of wall has been covered in grout, align your first tiles so that they are straight, and firmly press them into position. If you're using individual large tiles with dimensions of several inches, space them apart with small plastic tile spacers at each joint between two tiles; if you're using sheets of small tiles, the process will go much easier and you only need to worry about making sure they are perfectly horizontal. Check your work frequently with a level as you lay the tiles out to ensure an straightness.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 above completely as you move along, laying out and keeping straight the tiles over small additions of adhesive. This will ensure a more professional looking job and help you avoid messy mistakes. - Apply Grout with a solid foam Grout Trowel
Once your tiles are firmly in place and have been allowed to dry for a few hours, mix up a small quantity of waterproof grout and begin spreading it across them until every single crack between tiles is completely and evenly filled. As you work, keep scraping up excess grout with the trowel edge and applying it to new sections in order to clean up as much of the surface grout as possible and use it thoroughly. Run the trowel over sections of tile firmly at least a couple time to ensure completely filled cracks.
Don't mix too much grout at once, even a fist sized pile will cover a surprisingly large area of laid tiles. - Clean up the Tiles Surface
Once you've inlaid the tile cracks with a full dose of grout, wash off the excess on the surface of the tiles with a moist sponge that you frequently rinse and squeeze out to keep it clean enough not to leave a surface rime on your tiles.
Once you've washed your entire back splash surface with the sponge, run a damp towel over it carefully a couple of times to get rid of any remaining grout stains and rime. Fold the towel over several times so that you can do each pass with a clean side. - Finishing Touches
Apply a bead of water resistant silicone caulk to the top and bottom edges of your tile surface for added protection; smooth the caulk out with your thumb so that its even and smooth.
