How to install kitchen backsplash tile
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Today I am sharing how to install kitchen backsplash tile. Installing our kitchen backsplash was my very first time working with tile. I think I googled, “how to install a backsplash” for two days before I got up enough nerve to just do it. I figured, what is the worst thing that can happen? Installing a new kitchen kitchen backsplash is an easy way to modernize and update a kitchen.
I purchased the Ryobi $125 wet saw at Home Depot, custom ordered the blue glass subway tile from Dahl Tile along with the thin-set mortar, trowel, spacers and grout. I also decided to make the backsplash removable/modular. Yes, this entire backsplash can be removed with just a few screws which is perfect if you are a renter!
How to install kitchen backsplash tile
Kitchen backsplash installation items needed:
Here is the kitchen before the backsplash was painted drywall.
Why did I install a new tile backsplash? My motivation came from an email and phone call from an editor at Woman’s Day Magazine saying they would be at my house in 3 weeks to photograph our dining room and kitchen makeover.
I almost had a heart attack because while I had never tiled before, I didn’t even know which tile I was going to use. Working under pressure is actually not a bad thing for me, it leaves out the time to procrastinate and over think a project.
I made this kitchen tile backsplash removable. Yes, it’s a removable kitchen backsplash.
I used Hardie Backer Board that I purchased at Home Depot to fit the backsplash area and then screwed it to the wall. This is essentially my “wall” to tile on.
I put the board up in 3′ sections so it’s easier to remove. I wanted to create “tiled backsplash panels”.
I used my skill saw to cut the board (not recommended though) and then screwed the Hardie Backer Board to the wall. I should have used the table saw with a heavy duty blade but I was in a rush and didn’t have time to setup the table saw, hence the skill saw. What a mess! You can see the board below and the dry wall screw. The other white screw is part of the molding under the upper kitchen cabinet. Just ignore that.
You may be asking, how did you tile over the screw? I notched out a spot (with the wet saw) for the screw in the tile. You will see though that the under the cabinet isn’t perfect and that is where I placed a piece of molding (adhered to the existing molding under the cabinet with finish nails) to cover the screws and give the tile a finished look underneath the cabinet.
You will also need to cut out the outlet holes.
Where to start tile backsplash
How to install a backsplash in the kitchen?
I started tiling at one end of the wall and worked my way to the other end. The professionals will most likely tell you to start in the middle and work your way to each side.
I used the “back butter” method (you can see how to do that in our bathroom mosaic tiling tutorial) to apply the thin-set and used my v-notched trowel to remove most of the thin-set.
The directions on the back of the thin-set are very self explanatory. I used the smallest spacers I could find (3/16″) simply because I wanted very small grout lines.
I wanted the subway style look so placed the next level of tiles in the middle of the lower level edge. Don’t forget to use a level on every single tile!
I will not lie, this part was a painful. First I shut off the electrical breaker for these outlets, unscrewed the outlet and gently pulled it out. I then cut the tile to fit around the outlet.
They sell plastic “electrical spacers” if you cannot get the outlet to rest on the tile properly. They are sold in the electrical department of Home Depot or Lowes and they saved me life on 3 outlets.
In the picture below, you will see how I “notched” out a spot for the screws to fasten back to the outlet. I suppose if I wasn’t a rookie at tiling, this process would have went much smoother but this was the hardest part of the project, installing the tiling was easy compared to working around outlets.
You can see below how the tile is installed on top of the Hardie Backer Board (which is screwed to the existing wall). This is where I used a piece of decorative molding to hide my tile cuts and screws on the Hardie Backer Board. The beautiful thing about this is it’s hidden underneath the cabinet so you can’t even see it!
How to install a backsplash
Wipe off any thin-set that you get on your tile. It is difficult to scrub off once it’s dry and where these were glass tiles, I didn’t want to scratch them. Work in small sections and clean as you go.
As you can see below, my tile cuts were not exactly straight. My blade was getting dull and I figured that it would be covered by the decorative molding so I wasn’t to concerned about it.
You can see where I notched out a portion of the tile for the screw. You may be asking, “how is she going to remove this Hardie Backer Board?”
Can you see the little pencil mark on the white existing molding under the white screw? I marked every screw so I knew which tile I would need to pop off in order to remove the entire Hardie Backer Board panel. I am thinking that if I am tired of the blue glass in a couple years, I will simple pop off the tiles where the screws are and remove the entire piece and put it in our pool house.
Remember, I put the Hardie Backer Board up in 3′ sections so they are essentially, tiled panels.
Depending on the light, the glass tile looks aqua and sometimes deep blue. It’s such a fun and bright look!
Blue glass tile isn’t for everyone and it’s more of a trendy color so that is another reason why I went with a “removable backsplash”. It’s now very easy to change out the tile with something new while not losing the blue glass tiles.
Woman’s Day
Here is a full shot.
I love how the small canisters and wooden bread box look against the blue glass tile.
Backsplash installation cost
I used pre-mixed white sandless grout that I purchased at Home Depot and simply used my finger to fill in the grout lines. So easy!
If you are using glass tile, you should consider using sandless grout so you don’t scratch the tile. I am so happy with how the backsplash turned out and do love the color.
Glass tile is becoming very popular in kitchens and it can be pricey so shop around. I spent $320 on the tile, $19 on the Hardie Backer Board and about $50 on thin-set, grout and spacers.
How much would it cost to have a backsplash installed? A backsplash this size would cost about $1200 in labor. Plus the cost of materials.
The best part about this tiling project though is that the entire backsplash is removable. I love that the Hardie Backer Board provides me with the modular tiling panels and the flexibility to change my backsplash in the future. Hopefully this, “how to install a backsplash” tutorial gives you the inspiration to go for it if you are on the fence about your own kitchen backsplash. Be sure to check out our tutorial on how I cut this glass tile as well.
About The Author
What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.
brilliant! love the tile…love that you can remove it when you need too; would of never thought of that!
Thanks Jennifer!
Looks beautiful! Awesome job, I was just thinking of removable backsplash the other day. Thanks for doing the “figure out how to do it” part for me! Love you blog!
Thank you Sandi! I’m loving the fact that it is removable as well. So many things you can do with it after as well. I think it will look great as an accent piece in our pool house 🙂
That is the best Idea. I am one that is always moving furniture and rearranging,changeing color schemes so this is the best idea for someone like myself. Two thumbs up to you. AWESOME
Best regards
Debbie
Thanks Debbie!
You amaze me Jess! Removable! Who would of thought! I love that feature. It looks beautiful, and yes, we will just ignore that stencil job…. heeheehee.
haha thanks Kim. Yes, the stencil job was a disaster. You should have seen me using our outdoor lattice as my template. I thought it was going to be brilliant but no sir ree.:)
Wow Jessica – the backsplash is stunning! And I love that you will be able to remove it so easily someday too! I’m super-impressed with you! Who cares about that silly stencil attempt? It pales in comparison to THIS project anyway! 🙂
Thanks Laura!Yes the stencil job was a disaster but you are right, without that fail this project wouldn’t have happened 🙂 Thanks again!
Nice job thinking outside the box!! I rent, so it would be wonderful to do something simular to this somehow, and be able to remove it when you move out. We’re not suppose to put big holes in the walls-I’ve never heard of this type of board before-is it light weight? They re-did our kitchens here a couple of years ago and I asked for one of the lower cabinets. I had a few Mexican tiles in cobolt blue, white, and yellow. I went out and bought plain cobolt blue and white tiles to go with it. There are 76 tiles (4″ x 4″) all together, but the thing is I still haven’t done it. I think I just need the confidence–haha–I planned to make a bar-and get rid of my kitchen table. I know it’s gonna look good-hey, if you can do it and make it look great–I guess I should get going on mine too. Thanks for sharing this project-I love your tiles-and you were smart to make it so it can be removed sometime down the road when you get tired of the color. Great job!!!
Thanks Robin! Yes get going on your project 🙂 I bet you will LOVE it once it’s finished! Send me some after pictures. I would love to see it!
Using glass tile was so smart – it reflects so much light into your kitchen. Great job!
Thank you Emily. You are right, glass tile is so shimmery and reflects light perfectly 🙂
Thank you Emily!
Jessica, this is brilliant. I love the color and the glass and love that it is removable. Great job and great tutorial!
Thanks Danielle!I love the color as well 🙂
Do you mind sharing where you got your tile? I love the color. We have been looking for something similar and this looks like it matches our paint color in our connected dining space perfectly.
Hi Stacy! The tile is called “blue lagoon” by Daltile. Good luck with your project and thank you for stopping by!
Great job! It looks so bright and cheery!
Thank you Christina!
oh how I wish I could do this in our kitchen!! looks beautiful!
Oh Cheryl I bet you could!!! Just go for it 🙂
bravo! I think you did a wonderful job! and thanks for sharing the how-to!
Thank you Cynthia!
What a genius idea! We’re in the market for a house right now, so I know that if we end up with a less-than-stellar backsplash in our kitchen, it’s an easy fix!
Glad you like it Peggy! Thank you for stopping by 🙂
It looks fabulous!!!
Thank you Kristen!
Your backsplash looks great girl!! I love the color!!
Thank you Tonya!
Jessica, you are brilliant!!!! I have been on the fence about the color of my glass tile. I didn’t want it to be trendy, and I NEVER thought about making it removable!!! So awesome!!!
Thank you for the step by step, it looks wonderful and I think even I could do this. My hubby is not looking forward to re-do my kitchen (30 year argument) so I am taking some of the bull by the horns and trying to do things myself. I can now be a little more adventurous and not feel torn!
Thanks again! Love your tutorials!
Connie
Do you happen to have more detailed pics of where the backer board stops/starts on each wall? With the running bond pattern of the tile, how will you cut them apart to get them off the wall? Did you consider removing the little backsplash base thing and tiling all the way to the counter top? Why didn’t you remove it?
Thank you. I am really inspired!!!
Thank-you so much for sharing this! I live in a rented house and would love to bring some new life into the dated kitchen; this is the perfect way to do that 🙂 I LOVE the glass tiles!
I love the idea of being able to change out back splash colors. You are brave to tackle this! Thanks.
Thanks Terry. Tiling was actually the easy part, the hardibacker board and cutting around the outlets was the torturous part 🙁
Hello – Love this! Just removed old tile and am retiling and was just thinking, “how can I do this so that when the time comes that I want new tile I don’t have to tear it out again” How did you deal with the end of the backsplash? Can you see the hardie board under the tile? Do you need to put molding there as well? Thanks!
Hi, we used trim molding (home depot or lowes) on the end/edges. You can’t see the hardibacker because you cover it with thin set and then grout in between the tiles. I marked on my cabinets where the screws are (you can’t see the mark, it’s underneath the cabinet) on the hardibacker. So when I want to remove, I will have to pop off a few tiles to get at the screw. I also didn’t apply thin set over the screw so that I can remove easily. Once you unscrew the hardibacker from the wall, the entire section of tile on the hardibacker board will come off. (I did the backsplash in sections of hardibacker). Does that make sense? Good luck! 🙂
Hi Jess,
I just found your site and love your ideas! Hoping to learn to be brave like you and tackle some home projects. First on that list is painting and I love the blue green color you have on your walls. The color in your kitchen looks similar to the pool house color? Would you mind sharing the color with me? It looks like a Benjamin Moore color I have been thinking about. I LOVE your kitchen and the way you decorate/organize your home. Beautiful work. Thank you!
Thank you Heidi! It’s Wythe Blue by Benjamin Moore 🙂
Fabulous. I live in an apartment and hate my kitchen. The walls are all a dingy off-white. This will let me update it with some color, while being able to easily revert it once I move out!
That is such a good idea to use the backer board, never have heard of that but yes then you could “easily” change it up. Looks awesome.
Thanks Emmy!
You have inspired me to finally tackle my backsplash! I was wondering if there are any close up shots of the trim you used over the tile edges. Btw, love the tile color!
Thanks Robin and good luck :)! You will love it!
Super pretty! I love the blue and have always loved blue, so I think I would be ok loving it forever, but the way you made it easily removable was super smart! Thanks for all the step by step details!
Thank you !
If you didn’t have to cut out for outlets, do you think you could affix the tile and grout it to the hardiboard THEN glue the board to the wall? I’m doing a tile that is very difficult to grout and it would be so much easier to do it on a flat horizontal surface first!
How do you remove it once you tile over the screws?
I marked with a pencil under the cabinet which tile covers the screw. I will need to pop off that tile to remove the screw.
Thanks!!
This is exactly what I need for my kitchen! We never put up a backsplash when we made are old garage into the kitchen. I have old tiles that are think so probably bathroom tiles that were left over in this house for original construction from back in the 30s. I would like to incorporate them in combination with new tiles fort backsplash in my kitchen. one of the colors of tile is a bit larger than the others and I think I’m just going to go with it and adjust my grout lines accordingly.or else I’m going to cut the edges off to make them even I haven’t decided LOL did you use screws at the bottom or just at the top on the Hardie backer board?
Hi, I used screws at the top and bottom (sparingly and toward corners/edge) in case I needed to remove, I would have a good idea where the screws were. Good luck if you tackle the project 🙂