Installing a Slate Backsplash - The Easy Way.

Step 13 The Review

It won't take long for the sealant, to dry.

Step back and take a look at the completed project. Good job.

Thank wife and daughter for their help and give praise for job well done.

I myself didn't like the glossy effect of the sealant, however my wife loved it (that's what is really important). I like the over all job and the look and it was easy. This project only took 1 day to accomplish. It adds a lot of character and ups the value of the house because it is considered an upgrade.

Final thoughts
This project was completed in Feb 2007 and I know we need more pictures for the various steps and close ups but i didn't take them at the time so I don't have any to post.

If these tiles are ever removed there will be a lot of patch work to be done because the glue works better than advertised.

I think the total cost for all of the supplies was under $50

Comments

[Scuba3537]

If you really want the kitchen to look nice, put some knobs on those cabinets! Otherwise, great job.

[frydaddy]

What a nice instructable. Yet once again, the common man can have great outcomes in "do it yourself" projects with the help of great instructions on a great site. well done.

[flymom]

Love your instrucatible!  My backsplash is currently contractor off white, 12 years old.  If water were a big problem I am sure I would see the results of such. In other words, the backerboard isn't really needed. I think you should definitely finish the rest the same way!  Why not try to chip out the shape and size of your outlets some of the tiles?  i haven't done this myself, but it may be fun experiment.

[shaunaz]

The backsplash looks really nice....one question about the slate though... Normally slate tiles flake (on the surface), how did you take care of that? Does sealant help with that. I do not want the flakes from the slate backsplash falling on my cooktop. And can we wipe them with wet cloth to clean them regularly?

[Mr. Rig It]

I don't know anything about slate flaking off, but it is encapsulated with sealant and hasn't flaked. yes you can wife a wet clothe on them it's no problem. Thanks for the comments and good luck with your projects. :-)

[laniergardener]

Thank you very much! Ive been the "contractor' on my kitchen to save $, its a total gut job. I have however been without a kitchen for a month and counting...Im about ready for the back splash.. You had some great info and im using same tile as yours if not pretty close. i got a quote from 500 to 300. I was thinking of doing it myself but I think 300 I will let the pro do it. Still, I appreciate what you have done & thank you for the info. . I now know to make sure the guy uses backer board and flat sealer, i dont care for the shiny, and to ask him about thin set. Thanks much, all this was very useful. I do have question re the outlet covers; the tile is thicker than the outlets with covers. Will the tile guy be able to make all of it even/flat so to speak, does this make sense? Thanks again.

[kenn123]

if your contractor is competent enough, they may even be able to use a tile as a face plate for switches and outlets, in which case no need to worry on flatness

[Mr. Rig It]

Thanks for writing. Yes, he should, in most cases, be able to level the outlets to the tile. If you have a wet environment then yes backer board would be required, there are two types of backer board. I'd go with the pressboard style; it is virtually water proof and a whole lot easier and cleaner to work with. Backer board is normally used in tiled shower areas or tiled kitchen counters. It is also used and on floors like in bathrooms or kitchens when you have a plywood based floor. It isn't needed on concrete floors, I just thought I would throw that in there for FYI. Good luck with your project and glad you found some information that would help you.

[toklatkate]

Beautiful girl... ah, beautiful tile job also! I like the "homey" look it gives, but also like the bit of a shine it has. I like it much better than "traditional" kitchen tiles. I only skimmed your directions, but from what I saw, I'd say its a great "ible." I give it a 10. toklatkate

[smith2martin]

Very nice. I've got a tile job coming up myself, and was looking for an easier way to go about it. I'm with your wife, I definitely like the shiny look (and it probably wipes off better as well). Thanks!

[Mr. Rig It]

Thank you. I am glad to hear that this will help you. Also thank you for your input. I have incorporated your suggestions.

[bikr]

Dude, that looks great! One question.. Any reason you didn't take out the backsplash below the tiles and have that wall's splash be continuous? Not a negative persay, just think it'd have been my preference and wanted to know what your thoughts were on it.. I'm getting ready to do this in my new built house, builder wanted way too much for it, but i'm going to use tumble stone tiles at a diagnal.. :) Either way.. great work man!

[Mr. Rig It]

Bikr Thanks for the compliment. To answer your question I didn't remove the back splash because it is part of the counter top, (not removable).That didn't even cross my mind to look to see if I could remove it. But it is something to keep in mind for the future. Tumbled stone on diagonal should look really nice. Love to see some pics of it when you're finished. Thanks again, and good luck with your project.

[jerwhite]

I like the instructable and don't ever comment on these. But having installed tile myself the traditional way, I would have both added a couple of comments(disclaimer rather). This will work but in the event you are installing tile in a wet environment, you should use backer board and also use thinset. The backer board is water resistant and helps the thinset bond better. In any case this installation is a unique approach and probably easier in a dry environment. My last comment is that I would have removed the wall outlets before installing the tile

[Mr. Rig It]

Jerwhite Thank you for your comments. Yes, I agree in a wet environment use backer board. I did this on my bathroom floors upstairs. I am actually working on my floor tile instructable that uses backer board, not sure if or when I will ever finish the instructable though. It is funny how well the thin set sticks to backer board even though its darn near waterproof. As far as the outlet covers I left them on so I could properly measure tile tolerance around them. I took someone elses advice and have so far change a couple of the outlets and covers to brown. I chose brown because they are so much cheaper than the fancy ones and still look ok. I will have to post a pic soon, and get opinions. I have also been considering taking the tile around to the other two adjoining walls. What do you think? Thanks for the comments.