Replies

1. 
   tfarwell | Jun 17, 2006 08:34pm | #1

   You can lay the tile right up to the green-board.

   I prefer to put 1/4 backer on the wall with thinset, then lay the tile on that. You need to figure out how to cap it off, unless you run it right up under the cabinets.

    

2. 
   andybuildz | Jun 18, 2006 12:44am | #2

   You don't really have to worry about water getting behind most back splashes being it doesn't really get wet so you can use any rock or cbu that makes you feel comfortable.

   If Blodgett says, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!

   TipiFest 06~~> Send me your email addy for a Paypal invoice to the greatest show on earth~~>[email protected]

3. 
   Dave45 | Jun 18, 2006 03:11am | #3

   I would just use mastic on drywall - either green or white.  If you use the 1/4" cementboard, you may need to extend your electrical boxes and find creative ways to hide exposed edges.

4. 
   trout | Jun 18, 2006 05:01am | #4

   I use 1/2" hardibacker screwed directly to the studs, shimmed to the level of the sheetrock if needed for 5/8" sheetrock.  A 2x or 3/4" plywood as a backer at the seam holds the joint between rock and hardi securely.

   While moisture isn't an issue, the thinset/hardibacker combo holds better than mastic and sheetrock, not that backsplashes across the country are falling off sheetrock.

5. 
   WayneL5 | Jun 18, 2006 05:03pm | #5

   Backsplashes don't get soaking wet like showers do.  You can apply the tile right to drywall with mastic and you'll be fine.

   I would not go through the expense and trouble of cement backer board.  You probably have a long, long list of chores with limited time and budget cleaning up after Katrina.  If it were my money and labor, even on a high end job, I would not bother with backer board for a kitchen backsplash.  There are too many other things to spend on.