Do-It-Yourself Backsplashes

Tile Backsplash

• 1

  Clean the wall where the backsplash will go, and let it dry.

• 2

  Spread thinset mortar with a notched trowel. Spread on just enough for a few tiles at a time, and place the tiles along the wall. Use spacers to keep them at least one-eighth inch apart. Let this dry overnight. If you need to cut a tile, measure and mark the cut; then, use a blade with a carbide tip to saw through the tiles.

• 3

  Apply grout to the tile with a float. Wipe off the tiles as you go with a damp sponge. Let the grout dry for a day.

• 4

  Seal the grout with a tube of grout sealer. Squeeze the tube as you move along the lines.

Three-D Laminate Backsplash

• 5

  Cut a piece of a 1-by-4 board o the length of the counter for a 3-D laminate backsplash.

• 6

  Cut laminate pieces to the dimensions of the board, including the 1-inch edges. Make the 1-inch edges 1/8 of an inch wider so that they stick out over the sides. This will give the 4-inch sides something to butt up against, creating sharp corners.

• 7

  Spread adhesive to the board, and place the laminate pieces on top. Smooth it down with your hands, and let it dry.

• 8

  Glue the backsplash to the wall with construction adhesive. Squirt the glue from the tube in a zigzag pattern on the back of the backsplash, and then press it to the wall. While it is still wet, use a level to ensure that it is correctly placed.

• 9

  Squirt a bead of caulk to the bottom of the backsplash where it meets the counter. Smooth it flat with your finger.

Flat Laminate Backsplash

• 10

  Cut a piece of laminate to the dimensions you want behind the counter. Make the cut with a fine-toothed carbide tip blade.

• 11

  Spread the laminate adhesive on the back wall with a notched trowel.

• 12

  Place the laminate to the wall. Press it down with your hand to ensure that it is attached all over. This will give you a thin backsplash that is flush to the wall. It is a good wall cover for places such as behind a stove.