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Letter to the editor

A tile backsplash can be a thing of beauty

By Tim Carter, Special to the Times
Published October 13, 2007

A: Backsplashes in bathrooms or kitchens are a great idea. They are almost entirely waterproof. Because tiles come in many textures and colors, a tile backsplash can be a dramatic focal point.

Special tile is not required for this job, but you may want to consider it. Regular flat tile that is common in many bathrooms will work, but you have to make sure you buy a tile with a finished edge, or one that comes with special trim tile. Because ceramic tile is often 1/4 inch thick, the transition from tile to the wall surface must be made with trim tiles that have a finished edge on at least one side. These are frequently referred to as bullnose tiles. They have a soft rounded edge.

Before you choose your tile, think about the look you want to have for years. Ceramic tile is not a short-term decorating choice. Tile is often expensive and requires a significant amount of work to install. High-quality tile can last for 50 or 100 years.

Recently I installed a stunning decorative tile back-splash on a granite top. Before I started, I caulked the joint where the granite met the wall. After the caulk was dry, I sealed the granite well, especially the small area where the tile would overlap the granite.

You want a 1/16-inch space between the bottom of the tile and the countertop. This gap should be filled with a caulk that matches the color of the grout. You can find these specialty caulks at stores that sell only ceramic tile.

I prefer to grout the backsplash tile first. If any grout gets into the gap between the tile and countertop, remove it immediately with a toothpick. If you wait until the grout hardens, removing it is risky. One slip of the tool and you could scratch the tile or countertop.

Most tile backsplashes can be installed with a minimum of tools. Regular tile can be scored and cut with a tile snapper. Fancy tiles must be cut with a wet diamond-blade saw. Miter joints for inside corners are best cut with this same saw.

Installing tile requires attention to detail and precise measuring ability. Tile grout joints for backsplashes vary from 1/16 inch up to and including 1/4 inch. When a cut tile is too short, the resulting fatter grout line is very visible.

If the tile backsplash is for a freestanding vanity - neither side of the counter top touches a side wall - make sure the tile is centered on the countertop. There are two ways to center a tile backsplash. Once you mark the exact center line of the countertop, lay the end of one tile on the center line mark and place other tiles next to it with the proper spacing for the grout lines as you work just one direction towards the edge.

If the last piece of tile needs to be cut and it is less than 1/2 inch wide, then adjust where the first tile starts. Instead of placing the end of the tile on the center line, place the center the first tile directly over the center line of the countertop. This will allow you to have a much larger piece of tile when you get to the edge of the countertop.

Tim Carter is a licensed contractor. To view previous columns or tap into his archive of information and sources of building materials, visit Ask the Builder at www.askthebuilder.com. You can write to Tim Carter at P.O. Box 36352, Cincinnati, OH 45236-0352.

[Last modified October 11, 2007, 16:45:54]