Tiling a kitchen backsplash
#1
04-09-10, 08:26 AM
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Tiling a kitchen backsplash
I would like to put a tile on my son's kitchen between the countertop and the wall cabinets. It is a fairly smaill area. Both sides of the sink are 4' wide by 18" so it wont take much material. he has picked out a mosaic style in 12 x 12 sheets that are attached to a mesh. There is also going to be a row of decorative border on top of the first row of 12 x 12 sheets. We will be covering a painted plaster wall that is in great shape. My question is, do I have to do anything special to the wall to prep it to be able to hold the tile. It is not practical to put up new drywall or backer board since the cabinets and the countertop are in place. Will the painted plaster board be ok, do I need to prime it, or just clean it. The people at Home Depot told me that I should staple a layer of chicken wire to the wall first. Any help would be appreciated.
#2
04-09-10, 09:07 AM
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No expert...but neither are the people at HD apparently.
The chicken wire is the silliest thing I've heard in a long time. I've NEVER heard that recommended.
Wait for a Pro..but I think in this case all you'd need is to clean and lightly sand the wall, then use a mastic. Since this isn't in a wet area of any sort, mastic should be ok. I think its a bit easier to work with than thinset...at least for a non-pro.
Make sure you use the right notched trowel, you don't want it squeezing up between the tiles.
Oh...are any of these glass (translucent) tiles? Mastic might not be the right choice as it could show through I think.
As I said...wait for an Expert to weigh in before plunging ahead.
The chicken wire is the silliest thing I've heard in a long time. I've NEVER heard that recommended.
Wait for a Pro..but I think in this case all you'd need is to clean and lightly sand the wall, then use a mastic. Since this isn't in a wet area of any sort, mastic should be ok. I think its a bit easier to work with than thinset...at least for a non-pro.
Make sure you use the right notched trowel, you don't want it squeezing up between the tiles.
Oh...are any of these glass (translucent) tiles? Mastic might not be the right choice as it could show through I think.
As I said...wait for an Expert to weigh in before plunging ahead.
#3
04-09-10, 11:04 AM
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My thoughts exactly
That is why I brought it up here as well. I couldn't belive the chicken wire solution either. They are not glass mosaics. In everything that I have read, this was the first time this came up. I have done floor tile, tiled a fireplace and also around a whirlpool tub, but never used the mosaic/mesh sheets, or done anything on a painted plaster wall. I did read somewhere about the paint possibly reacting to the adhesive material. I want to get it right the first time.
#4
04-09-10, 01:08 PM
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Gun guy is correct. A light sanding and clean surface will do the trick.
12 x 12 is not that heavy and will sit fine on clean plaster. I re did my neighbors on drywall with 12 x 12 sheets and a natural brick course in between.
be sure to dampen the wall with a sponge before applying the mastic. May not be necessary but the plaster may suck out the moisture of the mastic lessening its bond over time. Again, may not be needed, but it certainly won't hurt.
I installed this one straight to drywall.
The guy who said chicken wire is a complete idiot.
12 x 12 is not that heavy and will sit fine on clean plaster. I re did my neighbors on drywall with 12 x 12 sheets and a natural brick course in between.
be sure to dampen the wall with a sponge before applying the mastic. May not be necessary but the plaster may suck out the moisture of the mastic lessening its bond over time. Again, may not be needed, but it certainly won't hurt.
I installed this one straight to drywall.
The guy who said chicken wire is a complete idiot.
#5
04-09-10, 01:32 PM
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Thanks for the help
Thanks for the input. I thought, too, couldn't be that much weight. My son even questioned the HD guys advise. I just found this forum today and it is in my favorites.
#6
04-23-10, 08:03 AM
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job complete
I have completed the job, very solid and looks great. No chicken wire by the way.
#8
04-23-10, 10:56 AM
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pics
yeah, I should have taken some pics. He lives a ways away. I spent quite a bit of time remodeling his kitchen so probably will give him a break from invading his house for awhile. Well, now my daughter has some work needed on thier house which is being sold. Nothing major, just some repairs to the garage and a new roof on the garage. They are buying a new house with an unfinished basement. At least the walls will be square. Glad I don't have 6 kids.
