How to Tile a Kitchen Backsplash for First Timers
- 1). Place a row of tiles along the bottom of the backsplash with tile spacers in between them. If the tiles don't fill the width of your backsplash entirely, decide which side is less visible. You'll place the cut tiles on the less visible side of the backsplash.
- 2). Mark the wall in between each tile in pencil. Measure the distance between two of these marks. Make pencil marks along the top of the backsplash at intervals that match this distance.
- 3). Hold a tile against the wall with two tile spacers between the tile and the counter. Mark the top of the tile. Set the tiles and tile spacers aside. Measure the height of this mark, and mark the wall in intervals equal to this distance up to the top of your backsplash. Repeat this for the other side of the backsplash.
- 4). Snap a chalk line against the backsplash between opposite marks, creating a chalk grid that you will follow when placing the tiles.
- 5). Spread thinset mortar on the wall with a notched trowel, keeping inside the bottom row of your chalk grid. Scrape the edge of the trowel over the mortar, creating grooves that will help the tiles adhere to the mortar.
- 6). Press the first row of tiles into the mortar. Place two tile spacers between each tile and the counter. Place two tile spacers on each of the remaining three sides of each tile. If you will have to place partial tiles on one side of the backsplash, start at the more visible side and leave a space for the partial tile.
- 7). Repeat Step 5 and Step 6 until you have reached the top of the backsplash.
- 8). Cut tiles to fit the less visible side of the backsplash. Hold a tile against the wall, overlapping the adjacent tile. Mark the tile in pencil on either side where it meets the tile spacers next to the adjacent tile. Lay the tile in a snap cutter, aligning the pencil marks with the cut line. Lift the snap cutter's cutting blade and drop it on the tile. Repeat for as many tiles as you need to fill in all the rows of your backsplash.
- 9). Place the cut tile on the backsplash the same way as you did the other tiles. Skip this step if your tiles completely fill your backsplash.
- 10
Allow the thinset mortar to dry overnight. Take the tile spacers from between the tiles. - 11
Spread grout over the tiles with a grout float, pushing grout into the spaces between the tiles. Scrape the excess grout from the tiles with the side of your grout float, held at a 45 degree angle to the tiles. Don't put any grout between the backsplash and the counter. - 12
Let the grout dry for a few minutes, until you cannot pull the grout from between the tiles with a damp sponge. Wipe the tiles with a wet sponge, removing the grout residue before it hardens. - 13
Drag the corner of a damp sponge along the grout lines, starting with the vertical lines and then finishing with the horizontal lines. This creates an even depth and consistent appearance for your grout lines. - 14
Fill the space between the counter and the bottom row of tiles with caulk. Let the grout and caulk dry overnight.