How To Install Tile Backsplash With Schluter Trim

Yesterday I gave you a bout of our updated kitchen but today I'thousand giving y'all a little peek backside the scenes of our white subway tile backsplash. We actually decided to DIY, our outset ever tile project. Scary? Yes. Totally worth information technology? Bigger aye. The best part? Our friend gave us a practiced lesson on how to install a kitchen backsplash.

One of the reasons I'yard happy nosotros took on this project ourselves (with a bunch of help from our friend Nick) was the cost. We don't have a small-scale kitchen only the entire backsplash price u.s. about $250, and that includes plenty leftovers for our butler'due south pantry. That's a lot of expanse to install a kitchen backsplash on.

Our supply list:

• Lots of white subway tiles  from Lowe's ($163.eighty for all tile including butler's pantry)
• White unsanded grout ($xi.78 per bag, needed i bag)
• Grout boost ($39.98 per jug, needed 1 jug)
• Porcelain tile mortar ($13.98 per back, needed 1 bag)
• Grouting sponge ($2.97)
• Metallic tile trim ($eleven.97 per 8ft)
• Notched ceramic tile trowel ($six.20)
• Grout float ($10.84)
• Spacers  ($3.47)
• Grout haze remover (optional, we ended upwards non using information technology)
• Moisture saw (we had one but you can become this one for only $85!)

To offset accept off all electric outlet covers. Then you'll want to measure the infinite in between your countertops and the bottom of the cabinets. We measured all of the spaces on the wall and marked it with permanent marking (it will be covered upwards by tile in the stop). Then you'll need to trim your metal edging with a pair of strong pair of scissors to fit the pinnacle.

Note: we decided to utilize metallic edging instead of a tile edging for a few reasons. Equally novices, it gave united states of america a nice make clean finished edge to work with. Too fifty-fifty though it's barely noticeable in the end, the slight bit of metal goes nicely with our stainless steel appliances.

Next information technology was fourth dimension to get the mortar ready. We just followed the instructions on the bag for measurements. We used a large mixer and bucket to mix. Just brand sure you don't make besides much mortar at a time. Information technology will beginning to dry every bit soon equally it'south mixed!

We used a trowel at a 45 degree bending to spread the mortar on the wall.

One time yous become a pocket-size section with mortar, go alee and place your metal trim and press into place. Then you can kickoff laying your first gear up of tile flush with the summit of your countertop and flush right with the metal trim.

Then it was fourth dimension to cut the pieces to fill in the gaps. We held up a unmarried slice of white subway tile in place and marked the cut marking with a marker.

Now it was time to start cutting. We had the wet saw gear up outside for this. I have never used a wet saw before but it seemed to get quite easily if you've used a normal table saw earlier (simply wetter, right?). My biggest piece of communication is take it slow. Also you'll need some extra tiles, trust me. Some will chip or your cuts volition just be off. Not a big deal, only plan for it.

Nosotros placed the filler pieces in the gaps and held in identify with spacers. These will exist your best friends. Trust me. Buy lots of them.

Once nosotros got the hang of these steps nosotros really started to move and groove. The biggest pain in the tush was working effectually outlets and the corner windows. We also had to cutting every single tile for the top row directly nether the cabinets since a full slice of tile didn't quite fit.

Behind the stove we as well used the metallic trim. This kept the tile from slipping down once it was set in place. In our final house we used a slice of wood for this instead. Either one works perfectly.

One time all of the tile was in place we had to look 24 hours for the mortar to prepare before nosotros could grout.

At present as mentioned we used Grout Boost instead of water to mix the grout. The reason we decided to spend the extra $forty? With Grout Boost you don't have to seal your backsplash every twelvemonth. Totally worth it in my volume. I'k not the type of girl that remembers to seal my grout every year.

Once you've mixed the unsanded grout with Grout Boost or h2o, allow the mixture correspond five-x minutes, and then re-mix it. As well remember to periodically re-mix the grout to go on it from drying out.

Use the grout mixture with a grout float at a 45 degree angle. Work diagonally. Wipe off any excess grout. This part will not look pretty. Take no fearfulness. It will get there.

And so you lot'll want to wipe abroad the excess grout with a damp sponge. Periodically make clean out your sponge. Repeat this process several times, but kickoff to limit the amount of water you use in the sponge. Allow information technology dry for a couple hours so wipe abroad again with a slightly clammy sponge to remove any haze. Trust me, purchase these sponges before you try to install a kitchen backsplash!

We waited about 24 hours earlier nosotros caulked. You lot'll desire to hit where your new backsplash meets your countertops and where it meets the bottom of the cabinets. I have a little trick on this to get super smooth lines, but I'll look until tomorrow to share. For now, let'southward just take a look at the finished backsplash…

And hither's some detailed photos of the finished edging.

I'm loving the look of the new backsplash so happy nosotros conquered this projection ourselves (with a lot of help from our friend Nick!). That'south how to install a kitchen backsplash!

Full Price ON THIS PROJECT?
$248.46 plus tax
(does not include the wet saw).

A couple of things:

• I'm notwithstanding non confident plenty to apply a wet saw myself. If we didn't take to work around our corner windows, information technology might take been a dissimilar story. I but don't want to give you as well much confidence though that this is a great beginner DIY projection. Dear that nosotros can at present install a kitchen backsplash (still with a little help)!
• Caulking changes everything! There were a couple areas where I was nervous how it would look in the end, but caulk hid pretty much all imperfections. Tin can't install a kitchen backsplash (or whatever backsplash) without it!
• I'yard glad we used the metallic edging. It gives a nice, clean cease and kept our edges level and straight.

So would I do this project ourselves once again?
Aye, in a heartbeat.
I'm already thinking of my next tile project.

Source: https://howtonestforless.com/install-kitchen-backsplash/

Posted by: tanexpon1976.blogspot.com

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