How to Install a Diagonal Backsplash Tile
A tile backsplash can spruce up any kitchen, and using a diagonal pattern is sure to create an appeal that draws attention to your taste and to the artistic undertaking that only the brave dare achieve. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Grease pencil
- Tile spacers
- Margin trowel
- 3/8" notched trowel
- Mastic
- Tile wet saw
- Carpenter's square
- Grout float
- Tile sponge
- 2 buckets (3 gallon or larger)
Instructions
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Layout and preperation
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1
Remove all electrical boxes and check that the power is turned off.
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2
Lay out several pieces of tile on the floor, using the spacers to achieve your desired grout joint width.
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3
Using your carpenter's square and grease pencil, draw a line at a 45-degree angle from the point of one piece across to the other point.
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4
Measure the distance from the countertop to the bottom of the cabinets. Check the measurement against your laid-out pieces. The idea is to start with a full diagonal cut against the countertop and have a decent sized cut at the bottom of the cabinet.
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5
Measure the length of your backsplash. With the wet saw cut your tile point-to-point and make as many full half diagonal pieces as you will need for the area against the countertop.
Installation
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6
Using your 3/8" notched trowel, spread mastic on the wall. Apply evenly, avoiding excess amounts as this will cause uneven tile installation.
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7
Start with a diagonal half against the countertop. Set several of them in a row. Then, using your tile spacers, work your way up.
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8
Use your tape measure, carpenter's square and grease pencil to mark any electrical boxes and cut them on the wet saw. Be sure to dry the backs of the tile completely after cutting them, otherwise the mastic will not stick to the tile.
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9
When you reach the bottom of the cabinet, you will likely be faced with two different sized cuts (unless you are lucky and end up with full diagonal tiles, which is rare given the average height of cabinets from the surface of the countertop). One will be a full piece of tile with a corner cut off, and the other will be a smaller cut that will be upside down. Measure your larger cut first, and mark the tile with your grease pencil. Use the carpenter's square to help you draw the lines. Set your gauge on the wet saw and make the cut. Check the cut against the areas along the underside of the cabinets. If the cut fits roughly the same in all areas, simply use your gauge and make all that you need to finish the installation. You can repeat the process for the smaller cut. If for some reason the cabinets are out of square, you might have to make the cuts larger or smaller.
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10
Let dry for at least 24 hours before grouting.
Grouting
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11
Remove the spacers from the tile surface.
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12
Using your margin trowel, mix the grout in one of your buckets according to the instructions on the package.
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13
Using your grout float, force grout into the joints between the tiles.
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14
Fill the other bucket with water. After about 20 minutes, check to see if the grout is ready to be cleaned. If it sticks to your finger in the grout joint, it is too wet If it does not stick you can begin to clean. Take your sponge, dampen it and wring it out. Using a circular motion, remove the excess grout from the surface of the tile and smooth the grout joints. Wring out your sponge frequently. Use only light pressure to avoid pulling the grout out of the joint, and don't worry about getting the surface of the tiles 100 percent clean at this point.
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15
Let the grout dry for 30 to 45 minutes. Then, using your damp sponge again, wipe diagonally across the grout joints, cleaning any residual grout haze from the surface. Use only light pressure and avoid wiping with the joints, as you will pull out the grout.
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16
Let dry for 24 hours before allowing any moisture.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Working on a diagonal is simply a matter of geometry. Everything is on a 45-degree angle, and using a carpenter's square allows you to quickly and easily make marks on the tile to cut around electrical boxes and against the cabinets. All your supplies can be purchased at Home Depot or Lowe's, and you can rent a tile saw at Home Depot.
Always wear eye and ear protection when working with a tile wet saw.
