How to Set a Full Granite Backsplash
A granite backsplash protects the wall behind your sink, while decorating the kitchen with one of the finest materials you can buy. You can buy pre-made single-slab pieces of granite for a backsplash, which are simply mortared to the wall, but a cheaper and often better-looking alternative is to cover it in a grid of cut-granite tiles. This looks good whether it's above a granite countertop, or mixed with any other material that might be on the countertop surface. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Level
- Pencil
- Carpenter's square
- Thinset mortar
- Notched trowel
- Granite tiles
- Tile spacers
- Wetsaw
- Unsanded grout
- Grout float
- Sponge
- Caulk & caulk gun
Instructions
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1
Use your square, pencil and tape measure to mark the area on the wall where you want the backsplash to be. Mark a vertical line through the middle of the area.
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2
Spread thinset mortar over the area, about one-eighth inch thick, with your notched trowel.
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3
Press your bottom row of granite tiles into place, starting at the center line and putting tile spacers between all of them (and underneath the tiles, to form a space between the tiles and the countertop). Cut end pieces as needed on your wetsaw.
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4
Build the rest of the backsplash in a grid, pressing tiles up from the bottom row and across the whole area. Put spacers between all of them. Cut end tiles as needed.
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5
Allow tiles to set overnight. Pull out the spacers.
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6
Apply grout over the backsplash with a grout float (a flat rubber trowel), pressing it into the joints between the tiles. Don't grout the space between the backsplash and the countertop. Take off excess grout with a damp sponge.
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7
Let the grout set overnight. Run a bead of caulk in the space between the backsplash and the countertop.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear goggles when cutting granite.
