Are you going to renovate the kitchen? Have you already chosen a design, but do not know how to install a tile backsplash? Today we will tell you how to do it yourself.
Why do I need an apron for the kitchen?
A kitchen apron is not just a wall decor above the working surface of the table, but a necessity. After all, it protects the walls from splashes of soot, dirt and grease. And this part of the kitchen is known to get dirty the most and fastest.
Many decades ago, the wall behind the slab was lined with strong material. No wonder. It is this place that is most vulnerable to absorbing everything that boils out of the pans during cooking. Therefore, it is not advisable to plaster or paint the wall behind the slab.
A tile backsplash in the kitchen is ideal for protecting the wall near the work surface. For its installation does not require a lot of materials, money and time. It is worth noting that, if necessary, it can be easily replaced without resorting to repairing the entire kitchen.
And one more important remark. An apron for the kitchen (for tiles or glass - it doesn’t matter) will fit into any interior. You just need to decide on the color and pattern of the coating and complete its installation.
What material can a kitchen apron be made of?
Material on the surface of the wall in the working area of the kitchen should be lightweight and easy to clean. Based on this, experts advise opting for glass or tiles. But many often use laminated and metal panels as an apron.
All these materials have their advantages and disadvantages. So, for example, metal panels are strong, wash well, but only we althy people can afford them. Glass is also great as a backsplash material, but it's not always available at your local hardware store.
Today we will focus on the tile and consider all its advantages.
Tile as the most common backsplash material
Tile or ceramic tile has not lost its popularity throughout its existence. Most housewives prefer this particular finishing material. First, it is very easy to care for him. Secondly, there are so many varieties and color solutions of tiles that everyone can choose a set according to their tastes and capabilities. In addition, as already mentioned, this type of finish will be in harmony with any design. And the last argument in favor of such a material as tiles: an apron for the kitchen (photos of samples can be seen not only in store catalogs, but also in any magazines devoted to the problem of arranging and decorating rooms) can serve you for decades. The only thing neededto provide, so this is a means for puttying the seams. After all, they are an excellent breeding ground for fungi and are subject to rapid pollution. To avoid this, they usually produce a smooth grout or additionally protect the joints with varnish.
How to choose a backsplash tile?
We have already mentioned that before you settle on one or another version of the backsplash tile, you need to have an idea of \u200b\u200bthe design and color scheme of your kitchen. In terms of shade, ceramics can match a kitchen set or wall covering, or differ significantly from them, while focusing all attention on itself. The only rule that cannot be deviated from is that the wall covering must be in harmony with the furniture.
A tile apron in the kitchen is not a simple tile. Today you can buy finishing material made of glass and mirrors. The choice of one or another type depends not only on the design of the kitchen, but also on your financial capabilities. So, for example, glass and mirror tiles are several times more expensive than conventional ceramic tiles. Therefore, the latter is in great demand.
Ceramic tiles
Before tiling the backsplash in the kitchen, let's consider all the advantages of this finishing material.
Ceramic is distinguished not only by its strength and durability, but also by a wide range of colors and designs. Using various textures and shades, you can create a real masterpiece: mosaic, painting, abstraction - work wallsparkle with new colors and cause surprise or even admiration of girlfriends! Anyone who loves everything exclusive can use the service of an individual order for a photo on a tile. In general, there are a lot of options, there would be a desire, fantasy and financial opportunity.
What else is worth paying attention to before finally choosing a material such as ceramic tiles? An apron for the kitchen (a photo of various design solutions is presented in the article), as mentioned above, is not a whim, but a necessity. Its main function is to protect the walls from pollution. Therefore, the surface of the cladding must be smooth. As practice shows, textured tiles, despite all their beauty and originality, are not suitable for such purposes.
Mirror tiles
This wallcovering option is great for small kitchens. After all, mirrors visually expand the space and give a certain lightness to the room. But there is one thing! For all its high cost, this material is terribly impractical. Such a tile apron in the kitchen will have to be wiped very often, and besides, you will have to make a lot of effort to remove traces of grease from it and at the same time not leave streaks.
And one more thing. If you like to put all kinds of jars and pots on the table, then this option is definitely not for you. Mirror tiles will only exacerbate the situation: they will give the impression of clutter. Thus, the wall covering in question above the working area of \u200b\u200bthe table is only suitable for finishingminimalist kitchens.
If you still decide to stop at this option, it is recommended to trust the laying of the "SLR" only to professionals. This is due to the fact that its thickness is half that of ceramics, which means that you need to work with it very carefully, because at any moment it can simply crack.
Glass
Glass tile is another way to lay out an apron for the kitchen in an original way. On its back side there is a drawing, which can be either a complete composition or be part of a large masterpiece, consisting of a certain number of elements.
It has been proven that kitchen tiles (apron) are ideal for the wall above the work surface of the table. Spain is one of the first countries to use this material in such a room. Europeans believe that there is no need to save on the interior. Thus, they also urge us not to skimp on quality materials.
Glass tiles can be of different colors and textures. The one that has special holographic effects is in special demand.
This material wipes well. It is strong and does not fade, in addition, it does not require special skills and abilities for its styling. Thus, glass tiles are an excellent material that will suit any modern kitchen backsplash.
Mosaic
Recently, not only Spanish tiles for kitchen apron are in special demand, butand mosaic. Beautiful texture and play of colors make the wall elegant, the picture fits perfectly into the modern interior of the room.
Mosaic for aprons can be glossy and matte. One or another of its types must be chosen based on the facade of your kitchen set. For wooden arrays, a matte mosaic is ideal, and for glossy - glossy.
This tile looks luxurious. Often mosaics lay out the walls of the kitchen, which is combined with the living room.
The only negative is the high price of this material and the scrupulousness in its installation.
Boar tile
The "boar" tile on the kitchen backsplash is an ordinary ceramic tile, and at the same time not quite ordinary. It is slightly convex, voluminous. In addition, we distinguish it as a separate subspecies due to non-standard sizes. All this gives a completely different look to the wall covering and decor in general. It is worth noting that the "boar" goes well with other decorative elements: panels, borders and pencils. Thus, from your kitchen apron you can make a real work of art.
And one more thing. The boar tile on the kitchen apron is an excellent solution for those who would like to decorate the room in fusion style. As for everything else, this material is as practical as ceramics. Lay it on the same principle as another similar wall covering.
Tile size for backsplash
Styling methodmaterial will depend on its type. If you opted for ceramics, then the best option would be a 10x10 tile (for the kitchen). The apron in this case will look better, despite the fact that its design will take more time and effort. Another common option is 20x20 tiles. These are the most popular parameters of this material, but no one limits you in your search for new solutions.
At what level is it best to lay tiles? Experts say that before you measure the distance from the floor to the bottom of the apron, you need to know the exact height of the furniture (table, sink, all kinds of cabinets that are included in your kitchen set). In this case, the boundaries of the working wall will coincide with the boundaries of the furniture. But, as practice shows, it is very difficult to achieve accuracy in this case. After all, as a rule, they first make repairs and only then put in new furniture. And it is very difficult to predict its height. Therefore, it is better to lay the tiles in such a way that they go a little behind the table and pendant.
We calculate the material
Usually, the height of the apron is from 60 to 90 centimeters. Here you need to take into account some points. Firstly, you need to leave a supply of tiles (5 centimeters above and below), and secondly, pay attention to the height of the pendants, or rather, how convenient it will be for the hostess to use cabinets, shelves, etc.
So, based on the area of the proposed apron, calculate the number of tiles. Don't forget those 10 spare centimeters! The material consumption will also depend on how (diagonally,vertical or horizontal) tiles will be laid in the kitchen. The apron will look different from all occasions.
After you have outlined the boundaries of the working surface of the table and the bottom of the suspension, mark the frame of your future kitchen apron (using a level).
Preparation for installation
First, prepare the wall. To do this, clean it of old coatings: tiles, wallpaper or plaster. After that, apply a primer. It is worth noting that the smoother the wall surface, the less adhesive solution you use to install the tiles. Therefore, if you have bumps on the wall, fix this defect with plaster.
After the solution dries (usually it takes a day or two), it is necessary to prime the surface again. Only after the wall is completely finished and processed, ceramic tiles can be laid in the kitchen. The apron in this case will hold on tight and will not “thump” in the future.
It will take you a maximum of 10 minutes to prepare the tile adhesive. To do this, dilute the mixture with cold water in the proportions indicated on the package, and stir it all with a construction mixer until a homogeneous consistency. Let the solution stand for 5 minutes. Then stir again. Please note that everything must be done according to the instructions. Otherwise, the quality of the glue will deteriorate.
Laying tiles
First, lay out the tiles on the floor - the way it should "sit" on the wall. This will help to lay out the drawing beautifully and correctly and check againHave you calculated the area correctly? The easiest solution is a white tile for the kitchen, the apron from which looks impressive and always fresh. In this case, even if the tile is laid a little incorrectly, the marriage will not be noticeable at all.
So, how to decorate a tile apron in the kitchen? We start work from the corner. It is worth noting that only whole elements must be used here. Only then will the corner look perfect.
The solution is applied simultaneously on the wall (2 mm) and on the material (about 1 cm) with a notched trowel. Lean the tile against a vertical surface and apply some pressure. Use the building level. Correct unevenness with light tapping with a rubber mallet.
After the first row of tiles is level, start laying the second one. Don't forget to use construction crosses - they help to make the seams the same and even.
It is worth noting that cement residues must be removed as the tiles are laid in the kitchen. The apron only in this case will be clean and tidy, not spoiled by the solution frozen on it.
Making the seams
After the tile is well "grabbed" (in a day), it is necessary to remove all the crosses and once again wipe the seams thoroughly. After that, we proceed to their processing.
To do this, prepare the grout mixture. Its shade should not differ much from the color of the tiles and look good in the overall design of the kitchen. So, dilute the grout mixture with water and thoroughlystir to get a homogeneous mass. Stir again after 2 minutes and get to work.
To do this, use a special rubber spatula. You need to move it "herringbone". Only in this case the seams will be sealed evenly. In the same way, use it to remove excess mixture from the ceramic surface.
At the end of the work, wipe the tiles with a damp cloth. Gently do this near the "raw" seams. Otherwise, you will be forced to redo the work.
As you can see, making an apron for the kitchen with your own hands is not so difficult. To do this, you need to choose the right finishing material, be patient and follow our advice. Happy renovation!
