Tiling a Backsplash DIY
By: Amanda Campbell
Updated: September 6, 2011
Tools:
Mixing bucket
Tile adhesive
Choice of tile
Grout
Float
Notched Trowel
Drop cloth
Tile Spacers
Sandpaper (if you need to rough up the old surface)
Eye protection
Tile saw
Measuring tape
Pencil or marker
Do you want a great do it yourself project that can add an amazing new look and lots of color to your kitchen? Add tile to your backsplash and you'll be amazed at what an amazing new look you can achieve.
Now you can just buy regular decorative tile and put it up. But a custom look can be achieved by breaking the tile into varying sizes and shapes. To do a broken tile backsplash, simply pick out the colors of tile you want and get a large plastic bag.
Take a hammer and break up the pieces. Using a plastic bag to hold the tile will prevent any splinters or shards from flying all over your work area. Once the tiles are broken, you can create any pattern or look that you want.
If you're installing the tile onto a laminate material, use a rotary sander to slightly rough up the surface so the tiles will stick. Then take some mastic or glue and using a notched trowel, apply the mastic to a small area at a time. This way you can mix and match your tile pieces without hurrying before the mastic dries out.
Once you've finished with the pattern, let the mastic dry overnight. Then you can come back in and grout the area in. Once the grout is dry, use a damp sponge to remove all grout from the surface area and you'll be amazed at your new look kitchen!
Not only is this a simple project that takes less than two days, it's also fairly inexpensive (less than 100 dollars) depending on which type of tile you choose.
Mixing bucket
Tile adhesive
Choice of tile
Grout
Float
Notched Trowel
Drop cloth
Tile Spacers
Sandpaper (if you need to rough up the old surface)
Eye protection
Tile saw
Measuring tape
Pencil or marker
Do you want a great do it yourself project that can add an amazing new look and lots of color to your kitchen? Add tile to your backsplash and you'll be amazed at what an amazing new look you can achieve.
Now you can just buy regular decorative tile and put it up. But a custom look can be achieved by breaking the tile into varying sizes and shapes. To do a broken tile backsplash, simply pick out the colors of tile you want and get a large plastic bag.
Take a hammer and break up the pieces. Using a plastic bag to hold the tile will prevent any splinters or shards from flying all over your work area. Once the tiles are broken, you can create any pattern or look that you want.
If you're installing the tile onto a laminate material, use a rotary sander to slightly rough up the surface so the tiles will stick. Then take some mastic or glue and using a notched trowel, apply the mastic to a small area at a time. This way you can mix and match your tile pieces without hurrying before the mastic dries out.
Once you've finished with the pattern, let the mastic dry overnight. Then you can come back in and grout the area in. Once the grout is dry, use a damp sponge to remove all grout from the surface area and you'll be amazed at your new look kitchen!
Not only is this a simple project that takes less than two days, it's also fairly inexpensive (less than 100 dollars) depending on which type of tile you choose.
