Backsplashes - How to get started.

Backsplashes are one of the easiest ways to add pizzazz to your kitchen or bathroom, yes I said bathroom, most people don't do this but, if you can afford it do it.  It would make a big impact with buyers, because you don't see it done much.  Kitchens and bathrooms still sell homes, make yours as great as it can be with your budget.  Beware though backsplashes are not that easy to install and can cost you time, frustration and most of all money.  If you aren't very handy but want to try and put up a backsplash, their are new products on the market like Bondera that make the process easier and quicker.  Again planning and research are the first items on your list to tackle.  You first have to take measurements of the area you would like to tile, then choose your tile, decide how you are going to install your tile and choosing a grout colour.

 When taking you measurements be sure to measure the entire surface of the wall that you would like to cover, right up to the bottom of the upper cabinets.  Another area that people have a question about is how far do I install that tile behind the stove.  I suggest that you end the tile between the top height of your countertops backsplash and the stove top surface, this will finish the area so that the untiled area isn't showing.  If you don't have a backsplash attached to your countertop, then just tile from the countertop surface.

 Choosing your tile for your backsplash is the next task, and will probably not be easy due to the selection and types of tile available.  In Peterborough, I can think of at least 10 different places to purchase tile.  So take a good look around, know your budget and stick to it, tile is the one part of the project that you can go overboard.  Obviously you need to think about what type of tile would go well with you decor in your kitchen or bathroom.  Try and bring all the colours in your room together, use those colours to choose your tile.  Remember that the light in the stores will not be the same as at home, purchased some tiles, bring them home and look there.  You don't have to purchased ceramic tiles, there are other options, such as: peel and stick tiles or tiles in a sheet.  These options have their advantages and disadvantages, peel and stick tiles are small and put on individually.  They can give you a different effect but you have to know where you are putting them, they are permanent.  As for the sheet variety, they glue to the wall and you caulk the joints between panels.  These panels don't come in many colours, so look at all the options available to you.

After you purchase your tiles, installing them is the next task.  There are two different methods that are affordable.  The first is the old traditional method of using mastic (adhesive), trowels, grout and a grout float.  The other affordable method is a product system called Bondera.  Its new to the market in Peterborough, its an adhesive backed roll of mastic, comes in different sizes and can be used for backsplahes, countertops or showers. I will go into more detail on both methods in my next blog.

Choosing your grout colour is of the utmost importance, the colour could make or break you tile project.  I suggest to my customers that they choose a colour that complements the tile selection.  Making the tiled area seem more continuous and streamlined, if it was a different colour your focus would be on the grout and not the tile.  Don't forget to budget for grout and tile sealer if necessary, depending on the type of tile it could cost a small sum.

This is only a short guide to the steps of choosing and installing a backsplash, as always if you aren't comfortable with the labour aspect of this project, please seek the help of a professional contractor.  Do your research in all aspects of your projects, not just this one and make sure the contractor knows what he/she is doing, a bad installation makes the project look bad.