How to Tile All of a Kitchen Wall

Ceramic tile is a good choice for kitchen walls because it is easy to clean. When baby discovers that food flies or that mixer inadvertently flings cake mix on the wall, you will be glad you chose tile. A swipe with a damp sponge and the mess is gone. A kitchen wall is typically tiled at most two-thirds of the way up, but with the help of a ladder, you can tile all of a kitchen wall, from floor to ceiling.

Things You'll Need

• Level
• Notched trowel
• Tile cutter
• Rubber float
• Large sponge

Instructions

Before Tiling

1. Measure the height and width of the area to be covered to determine how many tiles you will need to cover the wall. Buy at least 5 percent extra in the event of a mistake in cutting or to replace a damaged tile in the future. If you will be adding a pattern to your tile, like a row of contrasting colored tiles, include that into your tile requirements.

2. Buy enough base tiles to cover the width of the wall. Base tiles have a flared bottom. Though your main tiles of choice can be run to the ceiling, you may prefer to finish the top row with single-edged bullnose tiles.

3. Buy mastic (adhesive) to secure the tile to the wall, grout in a color that goes with your tile, and, for easier application, buy plastic spacers to ensure the tiles are all the same distance apart when applied to the wall.

4. Clean the wall. The wall should also be flat.

5. Decide the pattern you want by laying a portion of the tiles out on the floor.

6. Locate the center of the wall and make a floor-to-ceiling vertical (plumb) line followed by a horizontal (level) line the full width of the wall. These lines mark where you will start your first rows.

Install Tile

1. Start at the center of the wall and in one of the quadrants you drew. Apply adhesive to an area two to three feet square, using the flat edge of the trowel. Be careful not to cover your line. Go back over that same area, using the notched edge of the trowel held at a 45-degree angle to create ridges in the adhesive.

2. Press the first tile, working from the center of the wall. As you are pressing the tile to the wall, twist it slightly left, then right and then back to center to ensure all areas of the tile are covered with adhesive.

3. Continue to apply tile to the wall. Add plastic spacers on all four sides of each tile.

4. Use the tile cutter to cut tiles to fit at the wall corner or wall edge and at the ceiling and floor. Follow the directions that come with the cutter.

5. Allow the adhesive to dry according to the adhesive manufacturer's instructions. Remove the spacers.

Apply Grout

1. Mix the grout according to the manufacturer's instructions.

2. Scoop some grout with the rubber float and apply the grout to the tile while holding the float at a 45-degree angle. Press the grout into the gaps between the tiles. You should move the float vertically, horizontally and diagonally to ensure adequate coverage.

3. Allow the grout to firm up for about 15 minutes and then use the sponge dampened in clean water to wipe off the excess grout. Rinse the sponge frequently.

4. Allow the grout to dry. When a haze appears on the tile (about 30 to 60 minutes after cleaning), use a soft clean rag to go over the tiles to buff off the haze, being careful not to disturb the grout. The grout will take about three days to cure.

5. Apply grout sealer after the grout has cured.

Tips & Warnings

• If applying wall tile in an area that will see moisture, such as over a sink, then green board should be applied to the wall prior to tiling.

References

• How to Install Ceramic Wall Tile
• Installing Kitchen Wall Tile
• Trim Tiles