Tiling a Backsplash with a Decorative Border

To prepare for an efficient installation, make sure you have all of your materials at hand 1. If you had to repair the wall to prep it for tile, spread the thinset carefully to avoid stripping off the fiberglass mesh tape 2. Take care to comb the thinset thoroughly in one direction for better tile adhesion 3.

Press the first row of tile in place, aligning the grout joints with the countertop tiles, if necessary. Level the row, adjusting individual tile height with wedges 4. If your design includes decorative border tiles, set them in place carefully 5, using wedges to adjust the tiles for even spacing and to create a properly sized grout joint between the border and the row of tiles below it 6. Continue setting the remaining rows of field tiles above the border, pressing them firmly into the thinset 7.

Cut and set tiles around electrical outlets and switches as necessary, leaving enough clearance for mounting screws and to allow for the metal ears of the switch or receptacle to rest on the tile. Cut the tiles for the backsplash’s top row as needed and set them in place.

Because tumbled stone tiles like the ones used in this example often don’t have available edge trim, you need to make your own trim tiles for the finished edges of the splash. After cutting edge tiles to size, round over and rough up the outside edge of each, using a pair of tile nippers 8. The idea is to make the cut edge look similar to a bullnose edge 9. The decorative border adds an interesting focal point in the finished backsplash 10.

	1.  Having all backsplash tiling materials close by makes for an easier installation.
	2.  Apply thinset carefully over any repaired and taped area of a wall.
	3.  Comb thinset on the wall in one direction, for best adhesion.
	4.  After setting the first row of tiles, use a level to check for straightness. Add wedges to adjust tile height as necessary.
	5.  A decorative strip of tiles is set above the first row of tile, and below the level of electrical boxes.
	6.  Insert wedges to help maintain an even grout joint.
	7.  Press each tile firmly into the wet thinset on the wall.
	8.  Use a pair of tile nippers to shape and rough up the otherwise sharp cut edge of a tumbled tile.
	9.  Round the edge of tumbled stone field tiles to make a nice clean finished edge.
	10.  The finished installation with geometric stone border tiles.

Excerpted from Tiling Complete, 2nd Edition by Robin Nicholas and Michael Schweit.

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