Can Tile Backsplash Be Installed From Top to Bottom?

Size of the Tile

• The size of the tile can dictate whether or not you can install a tile backsplash from top to bottom unaided. While a 4-by-4-inch tile will not be affected by gravity if it is installed with the proper adhesive or thinset, an 18-by-18-inch piece of tumbled marble has enough weight that it will slide down the wall, regardless of the type of adhesive used. As a general rule, you can install up to a 12-by-12-inch tile using the hanging method.

Using Nails

• If you need to work with large-bodied tiles more than 12-by-12 inches in size, or if you are installing sheet tiles such as 12-by-24-inch sheets of 2-by-2-inch tiles, you will need something to help anchor the tiles or sheets, regardless of the type of mastic or thinset used. Nails are a common method for tile installers when hanging tile, as you can install a piece on the wall and then place a couple of nails under the bottom edges to hold it in place until the adhesive dries.

Mastic

• Mastic is the preferred adhesive for wall installations, such as backsplashes. It has enough strength in the adhesive to defy gravity with up to 12-by-12-inch tiles, and in some cases it can also work with larger tiles, so long as they are man-made rather than natural stones. As a general rule, natural stone tiles larger than 12-by-12 inches require the help of nails or other anchoring methods due to their inherent weight, although specialty mastics such as Custom's OmniGrip are rated for up to 16-by-16-inch tiles.

Types of Thinset

• When working with natural stones or large-bodied tiles, specialty thinsets are often needed for installations where the weight of the tiles is a concern. For example, Tec manufactures their Ultimate Large Tile Mortar as one of the highest-rated full-contact specialty mortars for large-bodied tiles, employing special polymers and additives for non-sag performance. However, the cost on such specialty thinsets can be prohibitive for the average homeowner.