Tile backsplashes in the kitchen are one of the typical features of all modern residences and living quarters. In fact, kitchens in most contemporary constructions occupy such a central position that they become one of the most frequented areas of your home, a fact that demands the need to keep the kitchen clean, tidy and (if possible) beautified. .
It is precisely for this reason that kitchen backsplash tile becomes just as essential as outfitting the kitchen with useful countertops and cabinets! A tile backsplash in the kitchen helps hide all the mess that comes along with cooking activities. The right choice of kitchen tile backsplash further enhances the aesthetic value of your kitchen in multiple occasions.
– Your Kitchen Tile Backsplash Options –
Kitchen tile backsplash is essentially an eye-catching addition to your home décor, and indeed you will have many choices regarding materials, patterns, and color combinations.
As for the materials, you can choose between ceramic, glass, porcelain, stainless steel and stone.
These days, you get kitchen tiles in countless forms; in terms of colors, with different shades and shades available on the dashboards; you will have enough options to realize your dreams.
The use of designer or decorative tiles, such as accents, ceramic murals and hand-painted tiles, gives a quite artistic look to the culinary area of your residence. You can also try to innovate with colored glass and mirrors.
– Tips for buying kitchen tile backsplashes –
o Although you are offered a plethora of options, you would be better off sticking with baked glazed tiles. You will hardly have stain problems with them. Colors are permanently sealed, will not wash out, and will last a lifetime.
o The best tiles for kitchen backsplash are 4 x 4 or 6 x 6 inch square tiles. You can also opt for 3-by-6-inch subway tiles.
o Lighter shades will better illuminate your kitchen and make it look clean and well-groomed. Dark colors are only suitable for large, open kitchens. Wall murals and decorative mosaics used as backsplash tiles enliven your kitchen, but then you need to put special accents/border tiles etc. to highlight them.
– Kitchen Tile Backsplash Installation –
Kitchen tile backsplash accentuates the beauty of your kitchen hundreds of times. It is not a time-consuming or costly affair. Tile work is actually so interesting that you may be tempted to do it on your own.
A few simple supplies like a tape measure, level, sandpaper, tile cutter, tile saw, notched trowel, putty adhesive, grout, and a little dedication are all you’ll need to get the mosaic job done.
Before proceeding, turn off area power and remove outlet covers. Scrape the wall/surface with the help of sandpaper and dust/wash the area with lukewarm water.
Once the preliminary work is done, spread a thin layer of the mastic adhesive in the center of the backsplash base and lay the first tile. Check the level of accuracy.
Next, place the spacers in the corners after checking and verifying with level and tape measure for flawless tile placement, including cutting the tiles (marking them with a tile cutter and cutting them with a tile saw) to match desired tile level.
With the baseline ready, you will have your reference line ready. You will hardly experience any difficulty in rounding off the tile laying job. Just keep spreading the adhesive, cut the tile to the required shape and size and fix it. Remove any additional traces of adhesive with a damp cloth.
The next step is to apply grout between the tiles. You can apply the grout with a rubber trowel, wiping off excess grout with a damp cloth and smoothing out grout joints with a round stick.
This ends your kitchen backsplash tile program. Take a clean, dry cloth and buff the tiled area to reveal the kitchen tile backsplash in all its glamour.