How to layout tile in a kitchen backsplash

[Pirate]

Is 1/4" Hardibacker OK for a kitchen backsplash?

It will be 1-2' high using 4" tiles. I've heard it recommended that 1/2" cement board be used for walls, but I figured that since it will only be 1-2' above a granite countertop, 1/4" should be adequate.

[Kman]

It's the space between the studs that would be the problem. 1/4" backer isn't sturdy enough for that.

In a kitchen backsplash, you could use regular drywall. If that makes you uneasy, use 1/2" CBU. If it's going to butt up to drywall, I would recommend something other than Hardibacker, as it is slightly thinner than drywall, and will cause you to have an uneven transition.

[Tool Guy - Kg]

Hey Randy, where you planning on putting the Hardi over the existing drywall, or attach to studs like Kevin is thinking? Is there drywall in the backsplash area now? If so, do you have anything against using it directly? What condition is it in?

[Pirate]

There is an existing tile backsplash and it looks like it is 1/2" cement board over drywall. It spans 8" up the wall from the existing counters and sticks out 1/2" (not counting the tile thickness) from the wall surface. That's why I figured I could put cement board over the drywall and wondered if 1/4" would be adequate. I'll have to do some demolition work to be sure what's there.

[tileguynky]

Randy, unless you need the build out, you can tile to the drywall on the back splash. Once you tear out the tile and cbu, you might find it easier to patch up any damage to the drywall and set the tile directly to the drywall. Now, if you damage a lot of the drywall while removing the cbu, it might still be easier and less expensive to finish tearing out the drywall and put new drywall in. Would only need to finish the areas of drywall that are next to painted walls.

A picture would help to make sure all of us are on the same page.

[Pirate]

Greg, I understand what you are saying. What's interesting, is that in one bathroom I have, there is a small backsplash above the counter, with what looks like tile laid directly on the drywall. While my other bathroom has a backsplash like the kitchen, in other words, it's sticking out 1/2".

[bbcamp]

There may be a reason for that, then again, there may not. It just illustrates once again, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

[Pirate]

I'm tiling a backsplash for my kitchen, which has granite countertops. I'm using 4" tiles. Should I tile the area behind the refridgerator? My refridgerator covers almost the entire area, leaving just a narrow strip around the edges. The granite countertop is the black area in the lower left of the picture. On the other side of the refridgerator is an adjacent cabinet, that looks the same as the part of the cabinet showing in the picture.

I think I have three options:

1. Leave the refridgerator area as is, with the painted wall showing. Tile down from the edge of the cabinet to the edge of the countertop.

2. Tile the whole area behind the refridgerator that is above the countertop. Leave the lower area behind the refridgerator as painted wall.

3. Only tile a strip around the edges of the refridgerator, above the countertop. In simpler terms, I would tile an upsidedown "U" and leave the middle part empty. Even if you were looking at it from the side, I don't think you could see the empty area. I could either tile all the way down to the floor, or leave the lower part below the countertop as the painted wall. Would this option be a crazy idea?

[Muddman]

If the people have the budget I usually suggest tiling the whole area above cabinet level, then a strip on either side of the fridge below cabinet level, not that that always happens. I usually end up doing option 1 or 3, I do not like the look of 2, unless the fridge fits really snug against the cabinets. Some may frown on option 3, but unless you remodel, there will always be a fridge there, and if you do remodel, you will probably replace the backsplash anyway.

I would go for option 3 myself if I have to choose between those three.

[Pirate]

I'm tiling a kitchen backsplash with 4" tiles. Which would be best in these pictures? This part of the cabinet extends out from the wall and also needs a backsplash. I know the cabinets need some work, so don't be distracted by their appearance.

Should I tile all the way to the front of the countertop, or should it be recessed back like I've shown in the other picture?

[Brian in San Diego]

Randy,

I have merged your three threads for this same project. Please do not start new threads for questions on the same project. Please add this thread to your favorites and ask all questions for this project on this thread.

Brian

[Pirate]

I'm giving this a bump, since the mods may have confused people with their move/merge routine on this thread. My current questions have nothing to do with 1/4" Hardibacker.

I'd welcome comments on the two above posts with the pictures. I have two different questions regarding tile layout on my kitchen backsplash.

[Tool Guy - Kg]

While you're latest layout question may not have anything directly to do with the 1/4" Hardibacker question you asked earlier, that background info will directly lead to this comment/question you're probably already aware of: You can't tile directly to the wood. Please tell us if that's paneling, solid wood, or...???? We look out for the best interest of all our members and the background info is helpful in ways many folks don't realize. So do please keep all your questions on this one project together. Thanks.

As far as your layout of tiling of this most recent picture, I'd likely tile over to the left end of the granite countertop. But I'd like to see the rest of the kitchen to see if extending the tile out to the side of the countertop could be consistent with the rest of the kitchen.

As far as tiling behind the fridge...is it easy or difficult to view behind the fridge from a shallow angle? For example, if the wall is an interior partition wall and there's a walkway perpendicular to it....or if the fridge can't be pushed back reasonably tight to the wall, it's easy to see behind. In that case, I'd favor tiling behind it and at least a couple rows down from the countertop. But if the fridge is tight to the back wall/difficult to see behind, tiling a couple rows in from the side would suffice.

[bbcamp]

Randy, we can change the thread title to anything you want. Ask any mod.

[Dave Taylor]

How bout' I change the name of your thread to "Randy's Incredible Backsplash".... or sumpin' like that?

Oops' whut' injunear' Bob done said. He' quick.... or I'm slow.