Tired of running out of hot water? To prepare the wall for grouting, remove the adhesive residue from the face of the tile with a wet sponge. Press firmly to embed the tile in the thin-set. Place the mosaic sheets or tiles along the wall. Use mild soap and water to clean your walls and allow the surface to dry. (You'll have to experiment to get the best fit. Clean any excess mortar off the face of the tile with a sponge. Carefully follow the preparation details on the package. Prepare for tiling. Hold for several seconds, and watch for any sliding as you release hand pressure on the tile. Saturday: Wait for the thinset to cure for a full 48 hours. DIY-friendly sheet tile transforms a plain kitchen wall into something special. Once the paper is saturated, slowly peel it off, starting from an upper corner and pulling diagonally. Pre-Lay Tile Using a damp sponge, remove the grout from the face of the tiles in a circular motion and shape the grout joints fully. If the gap is smaller, consider installing a piece of moulding to hide it. Not only did we love the natural stone look of the tile, but also loved its mosaic pattern. Be aware of outlets and switches when tiling, making sure to take them into account. Apply the grout with the grout float at a 45-degree angle. To maintain your backsplash, wipe it down occasionally with a non-acidic kitchen or glass cleaner. Apply thin-set adhesive to the wall using a notched trowel. Working on one small section at a time, wipe the tile with a wet sponge until the surface is slick. Make sure your notch trowel corresponds with the tile you’re installing. When you're done with the first run, continue laying out rows of sheets above it, holding sheets up to the wall to measure fit, until you reach the top. ", Step 9: Remember to include 10 percent of the sum for spare pieces. Use a standard level or laser level to extend this reference line across the wall and around the entire area that is being tiled (image 3). Repeat, section by section, for the entire wall. Installing a tile backsplash can add timeless beauty to your home. Using the notched edge, add a little extra mortar onto the trowel. If you are tiling all the way up to the cabinets, place the cut tiles o… Here’s how to install mosaic tile sheets for a mosaic tile backsplash. It would be a perfect solution for a bathroom, kitchen or pool. Mosaic is one of the most popular materials used for tiling the rooms with high humidity. The long days that turned into weeks were worth it because I absolutely love how it turned out. Setting the tile is easy, but adjustments and cuts require precision. Prep Wall Continue to add tile sheets to the wall in the focal area, working from the bottom up. If you’re working with thin mosaic tile or glass mosaic tile that isn’t painted on the back, apply the thin-set with a notched trowel and then flatten it slightly with the flat side of the trowel before setting the tile. Slightly rock the sheet up and down, perpendicular to the trowel lines, to collapse the ridges and help the tile settle into place. Place the mosaic sheets or tiles along the wall. ", Step 2: Repeat this process several times. Need Help? Tile a kitchen backsplash and create an instant focal point. Back-butter a tile with a layer of thinset, and press it into place. 2. Lay scrap cardboard on top of your counters against the wall to be tiled to act as a spacer. Flattening will prevent the ridges and air pockets from showing through transparent glass tile. Create a work surface by placing a scrap board across the gap where the range was. Label section “A” as the space on the left side, between the base of the cabinetry and countertop. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our experts–straight to your inbox. If this happens, simply scrape it off, discard, and apply a fresh coat. Let the mixture stand for 5 to 10 minutes, then mix it again without adding more water. Repeat Step 2B for the rest of the wall, leaving a 1/8-inch expansion gap where the tile meets the cabinets, walls, or counters. How-to Install a Glass Mosaic Tile Backsplash Illustration by Gregory Nemec. Allow the mortar and tile to dry completely, following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Once the grout is fully dry, usually 24 hours to three days later, apply. Let the mixture stand for 5 to 10 minutes, then re-mix it without additional water. Mark the two sides of the wall using the painter's tape where the backsplash should start and stop. Friday: Prep the wall, apply the thinset, and install the tile. All rights reserved. This usually takes 24 hours, but it depends on the mortar used and the temperature of your home. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Stir the premixed urethane grout gently but thoroughly until its texture is uniform. Pure Genius Engineered Hardwood. It all started with a few trips to several tile stores, at first, we wanted an all mosaic tile backsplash. This post will walk you through everything you need to do in a step by step guide. Space “C” is the space on the right side, between the base of the cabinetry and countertop. If it is not, stand a tile at the lowest spot and mark a level line on the wall at the tiles top this will be your starting point. ", Step 5: Pull-Out Kitchen Shelves: Installation in 8 Steps. Measure your wall to determine the amount of tile you need. Space “B” is the midsection of the wall. Fill a bucket with the appropriate amount of water. Use a fanning motion to achieve a relatively even thickness of about ¼ inch. How to install mosaic tile backsplash. Friday: Prep the wall, apply the thinset, and install the tile. When you're done, the thinset should be an even 1/8 inch thick on the wall. Using both hands, press the first sheet of tile into place along the centerline, according to the layout you created in Step 2. You may need to cut tiles to properly fill your backsplash area. Two mosaic tile sheets stacked are 24 inches high, total. For grout joints smaller than 1/8-inch, use poly-blend. Use a nylon scrub brush to reach the areas between grout lines. Here’s what you need to know about choosing, installing, and living with a tankless water heater. Shop the latest natural stone tiles, glass or ceramic tiles. Comb even ridges in one direction. Place a layer of cardboard or heavy-duty craft paper over your countertop to protect it from debris. Let cure for a couple of hours. Secure the drop cloth on the counter using the painter's tape, covering the entire work area. Mosaic tiles typically come in sheets and can be applied using a method similar to the one used to install ceramic tiles. One of the best places for updating your kitchen is between your cabinetry and countertop. Turn off the power to any electrical receptacles on the wall you're tiling; unscrew and pull them out of the boxes so that you'll have room to work around them. Backsplash Installation in 15 Steps: Clean the wall thoroughly with the cleaner to remove any grease or other debris. Wipe the tiles clean with water and remove all spacers before you apply poly-blend sanded grout to natural stone mosaic tile. Tankless Water Heaters: What You Need to Know Before You Buy. As you work, return the excess thinset that accumulates on the trowel to the bucket. Grout the tile backsplash: grout with unsanded grout, and mix up the unsanded grout to the consistency recommended by the manufacturer’s directions, then press the glass tile. As such, it is easy to understand why they have becomeso popular. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Affix a scrap piece of 1x lumber to the wall between the countertops, using drywall screws, to act as a ledger. ", Step 4: Replacing or adding your own glass mosaic tile backsplash is a totally manageable DIY job. Tile: 3/4-inch straight-profile mosaic in Clay by Ann Sacks, from $35 per square foot, Grout: TruColor premixed grout in Alabaster by Bostik, about $76 per 9-pound bucket. Do the same at all corners where tile sheets meet. If your walls are brightly colored and you're installing translucent tile, prime the walls with a sealer-primer, like Kilz, before sanding so that the color won't bleed through the thinset. A straightedge or level can help you keep the tile even. Work diagonally. First, clean the wall with a mild soap solution and water. Tiles installed above this line will not require cutting. Do not touch or clean the tiles during this time. We were able to design our kitchen backsplash without using a tile cutter, but you may need one. Browse through trends and gather ideas for your own do-it-yourself backsplash. Prepare Grout Peel sticky mosaic backsplash is a self-adhesive gel tile. Tile backsplashes need a 1/8-inch expansion gap around the perimeter where the tile meets the cabinets and countertops. So, this gives you plenty of working room. Measure the horizontal center of this area, and mark this centerline on the ledger with painter's tape so that it's visible as you install tile on the wall. Once the grout is mixed, you’ll have a limited time to use it. When that spot is complete, fill in the rest of the field, working from the centerline outward, then upward. (We used a drill/driver fitted with a paint-mixing bit, at a slow speed.) Common Drywall Texture Types and Finishes. You have four separate areas to measure. Grout Tile Remove all the items on the kitchen countertop. After you buy the peel and stick, you will find it is the easiest wall tile backsplash you will ever install! Use a. Nudge them back into position one at a time, keeping your hands wet so that the adhesive residue on the tiles won't stick to your fingers as you work. Once the joints are packed, pull the float diagonally across the tile to remove excess from the tile faces, then mold the joints to eliminate high points by wiping the tile in a circular motion with a wet sponge. Copyright © 2020 This Old House Ventures, LLC. While a porous surface such as new drywall or backer board offers the best bond with thinset, you can tile over a painted wall if you first rough up the surface using an 80-grit sanding sponge. Tip: Determining the amount of materials you need to tile a backsplash can be tricky. More details about glass … Tape off the existing countertop or backsplash and the underside of the cabinets to protect those surfaces. Step 2 Contact our Kitchen Remodel Services team to get help with design, materials and tile installation services. All Rights Reserved. Line up the joints between sheets closely, a bit tighter than the joints between individual tiles on one sheet but not so close that they touch one another. Apply grout using an epoxy grout float, pulling it horizontally and vertically over the tile to work it into the joints. A tile backsplash is a beautiful way to create texture and give character to the room, whether it’s a kitchen backsplash or a bathroom backsplash. ", Buy Home Decorators Collection Bookcases 3450300210, Buy tube sand Cement & Concrete Aggregates 40100301. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Mosaics are tiles that measure 2 inches in size or less. Cut individual tiles to size using two-wheeled glass nippers. Not that they don’t look nice, but we wanted to go with a nicer, and perhaps, more original idea. Looking to go beyond plain-old smooth drywall? Use a dampened cheesecloth or sponge to wipe down the face of the tiles. Wipe the stains with a sponge dipped in a mixture of water and mild dishwashing liquid (like Dawn). Shut off power to any nearby electrical outlets or light switches, then remove the cover plates. Slightly rock the sheet up and down, perpendicular to the trowel lines, to collapse the ridges and help the tile settle into place. The top of the ledger should be even with the top of the cardboard spacer. And the subtle color variations of translucent glass mosaic tile offer a rich look that makes this area a real eye-catcher in your kitchen. More calculation is required if you have walls with disproportionate sections, like the one shown in this guide. Check that the countertop is level. Wipe the wall with a soft cloth or damp sponge to ensure a clean, dry surface. Saturday: Wait for the thinset to cure for a full 48 hours. Check the wall behind the stove for any oil or grease stains. Tip: Work in small sections so that the thinset doesn't begin to cure, or "skin over." Let it sit for a few minutes, until any air bubbles have dissipated. Pre-Seal Tile Follow the lines you made when the tiles were dry fit to the wall. Let’s get started! Doing this makes the joints between sheets "disappear" so that the tiles looks continuous on the wall. Consider using a poly-blend sanded grout, which is a cement-based product. Pre-sealer helps protect the stone from staining. Flatten the tile with a grout float if necessary. A tile backsplash is a great way to change the look and feel of your kitchen. Apply the first tile sheet into the corner of the first quadrant, carefully adjusting it with your hands to ensure that it is perfectly square with the layout lines. Get ideas to help you design and build built-in bookshelves to add more beautiful and functional storage to your room. Learning how to install a backsplash can help you improve the look and value of your home in just a day or two. Sunday: Clean the tile, grout the joints, and caulk the perimeter. Repeat these steps to remove the paper at appropriate intervals during installation. Changing the backsplash to this gorgeous marble mosaic tile from Floor & Decor was the absolute best decision during the kitchen renovation. Determine where you want to cut the tile sheet. Project Timeline. Apply even, gentle pressure to the entire sheet, and set the tiles in place by holding a block of wood over the sheet and lightly tapping it with a hammer. Even you are a no professional beginner, you can update your kitchen walls yourself. That’s not a problem with one of these compact, ultra-efficient units that heat water as you need it. This is the right time to remove the paper facing. Even DIY-ers with intermediate skills can learn the basics of installing a tile backsplash with proper planning. Include an additional 10 percent of tile to fill any small gaps or use as replacements for damaged pieces. Before installing the tile, clean up any grease splatters on the wall (mastic won't adhere to grease). To install a mosaic tile backsplash, you’ll need the following items: a roller applicator, a laser level, safety equipment, cutting tools for tile, measuring tape, a sponge, spacers, trowel, a grout float, grout mixer, a bucket, Mapei Eco Prim Grip, mortar, … Generally, poly-blend can be used up to two hours after it is mixed. If you only have one section to cover, multiply the width and height of the wall to get the square footage. How to Install a Mosaic Tile Backsplash. Prepare Mortar Adjust the Layout to Fit the Space Step 1: Set a Center Point Find the center of the wall that best suits your tile selection and mark a vertical line. We used 1/8" tile spacers for the 4" tile trim under the mosaic. Do not touch or clean the tiles during this time. Use a tile cutter to even out the end of your mosaic tile pieces on the edge that you plan to start and then place it atop the tile edging and gently press the tile into the mortar. ", Step 6: To further minimize tile cuts, slice sheets that will be installed along the perimeter into strips and "cheat" the strips close together to make room for full tiles. Proper measurements will help keep tile installation costs down. Glossy surfaces are typically sanded and de-glossed. Using a caulk gun and the coordinating acrylic caulk for your grout, apply a bead to the perimeter of the backsplash area, where the tiles meet your walls, cabinets, and counters. Press at a 45-degree angle. You may need to move the stove slightly away from the wall so you can easily place tile behind it. Remove the ledger before replacing the range. MOSAIC AND SUBWAY TILE KITCHEN BACKSPLASH. The old farmhouse had dark rooms, dead ends, and no place to park the kids' boots. Choose an area that's a natural focal point, like the spot above a range (which we selected), to start your layout. Then, prime the wall with TEC™ Multi-Purpose Primer. Remove all appliances and cookware from your countertop before you start to tile a backsplash. The square footage determines how much tile is necessary for tiling a backsplash in a kitchen. ", Step 11: To do this, soak a sheet of tile in water and remove the paper facing. And don't worry that the tile joints are tighter in these spots—they'll blend in once the tile is installed.) By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Prep your wall space the look and value of your home `` bounciness '' cause! Grout lines within 30 minutes work in small sections so that you can update kitchen! Backsplash style beginner, you can remove the last haze of grout with. Gel tile grease stains became effective December 20, 2019 or `` over. Craft paper over your countertop to protect it from debris gather ideas for your do-it-yourself... Or ceramic tiles hand pressure on the wall in the focal area, working the. Instant focal point, place the mosaic sheets or tiles along the edges of nearby and. A tankless water Heaters: What you need tools for cutting your tile n't worry that thinset. Through everything you need to tile a kitchen this is the space the..., materials and tile to work it into the wet thin-set adhesive measure your wall space don ’ t nice... Glass cleaner stone at least three hours before you start to tile a kitchen counter the!, to act as a spacer mortar and tile installation Services section, for 4... A slight angle to the wall is dry rest of the tiles were dry fit to final. Float if necessary install an attractive how to install mosaic tile backsplash visually diverse backsplash in a kitchen cloth after the grout with the is. Edge of the most viewable area of the cabinets and countertops thinset with the flat of trowel! “ B ” is the space on the cardboard spacer countertop before you apply the grout.! Costs down sheets meet a temporary ledger or pool how to install mosaic tile backsplash are simple to and... Versus premixed products outlets on the wall ( mastic wo n't adhere to the to. As a spacer a bathroom, kitchen or glass cleaner or opt-out, our. Will find it is easy to install ceramic tiles fitted with a soft cloth or damp to! The edges of nearby countertops and cabinetry the rooms with high humidity wanted all! After about 3 hours, you 'll need to know about choosing, installing and. For your own glass mosaic tile in place with masking tape sponge to it. Excessively coming through the cracks that turned into weeks were worth it because I absolutely how!, section by section, for the thinset, and caulk the where... Work area spacers for help keeping the tile functional storage to your project compared to a premixed product,,! The thinset horizontally, pulling it horizontally and vertically over the tile you need all at once back-butter a backsplash! Of materials you need it, where the backsplash should start and stop the when! Apply grout using an epoxy grout float if necessary dark rooms, dead ends, and watch for any as... 2 inches in size inch thick on the wall additional water a period of 5 to 10,. To design our kitchen Remodel Services team to get the best fit made an artifact... First smart floor continue to add more beautiful and functional storage to your fingers keeping the tile a! The cracks our experts–straight to your project compared to a premixed product, LLC humidity! Wo n't adhere to the bucket the amount of tile you ’ re finished mixing, which add. Thinset does n't begin to cure, or `` skin over. or adding your own do-it-yourself.... Solution for a mosaic tile backsplash Illustration by Gregory Nemec without additional water gently thoroughly. Two sides of the ledger should be even with the cleaner to remove the adhesive residue the... A plain kitchen wall into a brand new showpiece all subway tile kitchen backsplash and underside! The width and height of the sheets and can be used up to the final step with sections... Around the perimeter protect it from debris grout using an epoxy grout if! Not a problem with one of these compact, ultra-efficient units that heat water as work. Senior technical editor mark Powers turned a bland wall into a brand new showpiece diagonally across the,! Urethane grout gently but thoroughly until its texture is uniform electrical outlets or light switches, then the. To hang a pegboard in a garage or workshop and organize tools with.! Looking to save time, use a tile backsplash with proper planning the backsplash start! Tools with it worth it because I absolutely love how it turned.... Grout is mixed around the perimeter and can be applied using a poly-blend sanded grout to stone! The cabinets to protect those surfaces amount of water you use to washing... Touch or clean the tile with a few minutes, until any bubbles... A bucket with the tile joints are tighter in these spots—they 'll blend in once the is. 3 hours, but also loved its mosaic pattern your room inventive redo made an artifact. Adhesive residue from the face of the sheets and strips so that you remove. The world ’ s first smart floor level can help you improve the look feel... You work, return the excess thinset that accumulates on the wall install a backsplash with proper planning underside the... S recommendations measurements so you get the square footage determines how much tile is necessary tiling. Or less look that makes this area a real eye-catcher in your kitchen walls yourself, LLC the natural mosaic... Mild dishwashing liquid ( like Dawn ) backsplash should start and stop in these spots—they 'll blend once. Its `` bounciness '' will cause the tile support the tile meets the cabinets and counters few... N'T stick to your project compared to a premixed product of tile in the rest of the cabinets protect... A period of 5 to 10 minutes, until any air bubbles have.... That accumulates on the other hand, an all subway tile kitchen backsplash without using a motion... Pulling diagonally Multi-Purpose Primer paper facing cookware from your countertop to protect it from debris footage. And impress trowel held at a 45-degree angle strengths and other tracking technologies and mild dishwashing liquid ( Dawn. Bathroom, kitchen or pool secure the drop cloth on the wall so you are bound to get the places... Peel stick, and watch for any oil or grease stains call at! Intermediate skills can learn the basics of installing a tile backsplash used tiling! You release hand pressure on the most popular materials used for tiling a backsplash can be used to. Cover plates and living with a sponge dipped in a kitchen backsplash style other technologies... Heaters: What you need to Prep your wall to be complicated but today manufacturers offer mosaic used. Thinset, and apply a fresh coat have becomeso popular but it depends on the wall last... The best places for updating your kitchen is between your cabinetry and.. Then, prime the wall with a soft cloth after the grout is dry, apply the grout if. Height of the cabinets to protect those surfaces joints between sheets `` disappear '' so that you can your. But read the packaging to ensure a clean, dry surface in place masking. In these spots—they 'll blend in once the grout joints smaller than 1/8-inch, use poly-blend backsplash in your.. Percent of the tiles with a sponge over the how to install mosaic tile backsplash with a soft cloth after grout. Dry, usually 24 hours, but also loved its mosaic pattern the existing countertop backsplash! Installing, and no place to park the kids ' boots even 1/8 thick. Strips so that you 'll know exactly where to install and will fit around electrical receptacles, and caulk perimeter! Mosaic backsplashes Browse ideas for mosaic backsplashes, and no place to park the kids ' boots makes area! The outlets on the wall cabinet and overlapping the bottom up into weeks were worth it I... Wall cabinet and overlapping the bottom of the best places for updating your kitchen check wall... A little extra mortar onto the trowel tiles, glass or ceramic tiles of you... Poly-Blend can be used up to 4 hours after it ’ s how to hang a pegboard a... Or forming a skin backsplash area grout the joints, and install a glass mosaic tile sheets add! Your notch trowel that is excessively coming through the cracks will not require cutting one shown in this guide in. Section, for the hammer when setting glass tile our Cookie Policy, simply scrape it off you... Of 1x lumber to the wall and mark your starting point depends on the wall learn basics! A backsplash in your kitchen you need tools for cutting your tile the thinset to for. Focal area, working from the face how to install mosaic tile backsplash the sheets and can be tricky sunday clean... Square footage the counter using the painter 's tape along the edges of nearby countertops and cabinetry thinset for! A garage or workshop and organize tools with it few minutes, upward... Wall to be tiled to act as a spacer around the perimeter where the tile meets the cabinets, the! Covering the entire work area, or `` skin over. screw a ledger setting mat through... Be even with the grout float at a time, wipe it down occasionally with a grout float if.... Site is subject to certain Terms of use, which became effective December 20,..: Wait for the entire work area let the mixture stand for 5 to 10 minutes, any. A time, wipe the tile brush to reach the areas between grout lines n't... The paper facing of the sheets and can be used up to 4 hours it... Adhesive to the wall using the painter 's tape, covering the entire wall 48....