How difficult is it to tile a kitchen backsplash or firplace?

Question

Should I leave it to a professional?

Answer 1

if you are very good at craft's and thing's like that,and could do very clean and neat work... then it will be a piece  of cake for you,...if you are unsure about your self,get a professional...but I did mine by my self,and now I get lot's of compliment's from everyone....only you can't use the kitchen for 24 hours after that ,..so it will dry well...women are good at doing these things for themself,because they know what they want....go for it...

Answer 2

It's not that hard if you have spacers and the time to do it without running out of patience. The backsplash would be easier to do than a fireplace.

Answer 3

I've done both and neither is that difficult.  If you go onto the HGTV or DIY websites they have instructional videos which tell you in detail the steps to take to do both.

Answer 4

Not too difficult - you do have to know what you are doing.

A complete layout needs to happen before any installation happens. I have a couple tile pictures you might be interested in viewing directly related.

Tiled Back Splash Picture :-) with the top of my son's head.

http://www.brandsconstruction.com/Copper...

Tiled Fire Place Picture

http://www.brandsconstruction.com/Copper...

Tiled Base Cabinet

http://www.brandsconstruction.com/Copper...

You can do it - take your time - plan ahead knowing each step and completely design your tile layout.

Professional tile installers do know the tricks and often - leaving it to them is a good choice unless you plan to do a bit more tile work in the future. Little tool items often total to be higher than installer fees. A pro will also do a nice job with cutting around outlets, et.

If you like a challenge, and understand each step you will take - You can also have great satisfaction with installing your own tile... It is not real difficult.

Wishing You the Best!

Answer 5

It isn't all that difficult.  you just have to a good starting surface and the right materials.

For the backsplash, make sure you are starting with a good backer board substrate (you shouldn't go over paint or old laminate it is better to strip everyhting back to basic)  if you are using a 4x4, 6x6 basic tile then mastic as your setting material is fine, if you are using glass, BE SURE to follow the maker's required installation instruction, If you are using a heavy tile, you'll want to use thinset.

For your fireplace--you should be able to go directly over what is existing.  Only thing to bear in mind, if it is brick, you want to skim coat the bricks 1st so you fill in all the grooves.

Materials you will need for either job

Tile

Wet Saw/hand cutter (depends on how heavy duty the tile is)

5 gallon buckets (1 for thinset. 1 for grout, 1 for water)

thinset/mastic

grout

trowels (size depends upon size of tile & material used)

float

spacers

sealer

sponges

shop towels

That pretty much covers it   ENJOY