Peel and Stick Backsplash

When you're considering renovating your kitchen, sometimes adding a peel and stick backsplash can make the most significant impact to your kitchen decor with the least cost.

Peel and Stick Tile

Many kitchen counters are flush with the drywall that forms the kitchen walls. When this is the case, often the water, grease and other cooking liquids that splash up from the counters onto the walls cause staining and eventually damage to the drywall. By applying an easily washable backsplash of tile on the wall just above the countertops, this damage can be avoided.

The installation of an actual tile backsplash requires much more wall preparation than when you apply vinyl peel and stick backsplash. When you apply tile, you need to sand down the painted wall to roughen the surface, and then apply mastic with a trowel prior to applying the tiles. However, in the case of stick-on tiles, very little preparation is required and the tiles are far less expensive. Additionally, the ease of application makes it possible for any homeowner to complete the project without hiring a professional installer, and most likely in a single weekend.

Tiles with self-adhesive backing are not difficult to install on the wall above your countertops, but there is some preparation required. By following the steps below, you'll increase your chances of a perfect, problem-free backsplash installation.

1. The odds are good that you have some idea what colors you would like for your tile backsplash. Take a preliminary trip to the home improvement store and purchase a few tiles of the colors that you'd like and bring them home.
2. Once you decide on the exact color shades you would like in your tile pattern, take measurements and create a full template of each wall out of craft paper. Make sure to incorporate the size of the tiles (and color of each tile) into the design and determine how many tiles you'll need to cut.
3. With your new template, you'll know about how many tiles you need for your wall, but also take note of the electrical plugs and switches along the wall that you'll need to replace. Consider replacing all plug and switch plates for an even more dramatic effect to your kitchen decor.

When you head to the home improvement store, consider the following list of supplies. Other than the tiles and the outlet and switch covers, if there's anything you don't have, consider either purchasing or renting:

• Craft paper to create a template
• Marker or carpenter's pencil to draw on the drywall
• Tile cutter (may need to rent, or use a utility knife and straight edge)
• Cutting board or a large plank of wood to cut tiles on
• Small carpenter's level
• Rolling pin

Once you've purchased your tiles and other supplies, you're ready to begin your weekend backsplash project! The following steps will guide you through the simple process in a manner that will prevent common mistakes.

1. Using a damp rag, wash down the wall to remove all trace of dirt, dust or other particles. Allow the wall to thoroughly dry, otherwise the adhesive will not work properly. Make sure no trace of water is present when you start.
2. Using a carpenter's pencil or marker, and a straight edge, transfer your template onto the wall so you know exactly where each tile (or partial tile) needs to go. Check each line with a level to be sure that it's straight.
3. Lay your template on the floor and place all of the tiles onto your template in the color pattern that you've planned. Make note of the tiles that run over the edge of the template. These are the tiles you'll need to cut to fit.
4. Make measurements, cut the tile and fit them onto the template with the other tiles.
5. Once all tiles are in place on the template, start applying them, one at a time, to the wall outline. Start at the largest row where most of the tiles are whole.
6. Each time you are ready to apply a tile, remove the backing and as you apply it to the wall, hold a straight edge along one line and use it as a guide to place one edge of the tile so that it won't slip and attaches evenly.
7. Once each tile is attached, take a rolling pin and apply pressure to all parts of the tile - this will help the back of the tile adhere better to the wall.
8. Since you've already cut the tiles to fit on the template, transferring to the wall is a matter of peeling, applying and rolling. Cut all outlet holes carefully with a utility knife, but don't worry about small mistakes because the plate will cover them.

Applying peel and stick backsplash is one of the easiest ways to improve the appearance of your kitchen and the quality of your countertop. Just take the time to carefully take measurements and make a good template, and the entire installation will go smoothly.

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