I just did my own backsplash. Marble subways with a marble mosaic mural behind the range.

Let me start by saying that I had never done any tiling or grouting or tile cutting before. First off I had to get over my fear of the 'wet tile saw' which is what you need if you are cutting stone. I had to rent it and it took a lot longer than expected so the cost adds up. Second there are so many outlets these days and you have to cut around those as well as the cabinets, hood, window trim. And clean up is a lot of work because it took me several days and each time I had to dump the unused thinset and clean out the bucket and tools.

It took a lot longer than I thought because there's the cutting, laying, grouting, caulking, sealing and if it's all new to you, then it takes a lot longer than the pros. And don't be fooled by the mosaic mesh type tiles. I don't think they are any easier because you have to be perfect in lining them up and spacing otherwise they will look very unprofessional. Also the stone ones can be quite heavy so the thinset has to be the right consistency or they will move before setting.

I can now look back on it and am proud of what I did but it was hard and my body had aches in places I didn't know existed! But knowing me, I'll probably do it again. It was fun atleast the first couple of days:) I'd say go for it but do a lot of research before through books, forums, internet.

Good luck!

Mastic, baby. :-PPPP One of the only places you can use it.

Revel in it!

;-)

Seriously, if you're not doing anything complicated, it's super easy. Just be careful and take your time to do it right.

The short answer is: it is not a difficult job at all. It is finicky - it is best to approach it in a calm, methodical manner, and take the time to get it right. It's not the type of job that you want to rush to get done by a certain time, for example.

I'll echo the mastic recommendation. I did my first tiling job in the past few weeks - our kitchen backsplash. Total was about 15 square feet, using 1"X2" mini-subways mounted on 1X1 mesh sheets. Prep work took me about 3 hours (I pre-cut a bunch of half-tiles, and built a small jig to hold the tiles). Putting up the tiles (using mastic) took 6, including all outlet and framing cuts, and grouting and cleanup was about another 4 hours.

The mastic is very forgiving - it stays put, and you can work the tiles into position as needed. It is the same consistency as toothpaste. If you mess up, you just scrape it off and apply some more. When I put single or cut pieces on, I "back-buttered" them to ensure adhesion.

Before I started, I did a half sheet as practice on a scrap piece of drywall I had. Also, I dry-sawed all my cut pieces using a circular three-inch diamond blade, so I didn't have to worry about buying or renting and returning a wet saw. Good Luck!

IMO, waiting is a great idea --

And if you treat it as a craft project rather than a construction project, you'll find it fun!

Here's mine --

My husband and I have done all the tiling in our extensive reno project(bathroom floor, walls, shower, woodstove hearth, etc).

I agree with others that a backsplash is very doable on your own as long as you take your time. I doesn't hurt to try tiling some test pieces, as well.

One thing that was very helpful for us was that a friend of ours had a brand new Workforce wet tile saw that he let us use. The thing only cost around $70-$80 to buy and performed very well for everything that we had to cut (porcelain, ceramic, slate, soapstone). We also bought an extra blade.

I don't know what the cost to rent a tile saw is, but if it would be close to a wash to buy something like this than rent, I would buy it so you wouldn't have to worry about getting it returned by a certain date and don't end up rushing, etc.

It was nice for us to have the luxury of working at our own pace...which is slooooooow. ;-)

vate - can you tell me where you got your mini subway tiles from.

Thanks!

bumping this up for vate.

Thanks!

Sweeby, LOVE the leaves!! Are they part of the tile or appliques?

vate - are you still here??

I also did my own backsplash. I had tiled quite a bit in the past, and my recommendation is to buy an inexpensive tile saw. I bought a Harbor Freight cheapie that I have used for several tile jobs. Planning your layout is the most important thing. I would NOT use mastic if you use a natural stone, as the oils in the mastic can stain the stone. Fortunately real thin set is a lot cheaper and is easily mixed with a drill and "egg beater" type of attachment. If you do decide to DIY there is not better place on the web than the John Bridge Tile Forum for advice. Also, don't let the counter top people talk you into putting in the 4" backsplash if you don't like the look. I know that a lot of people tile above the 4" backsplash, but to me it always looks like an afterthought. We lived with our unfinished backsplash for over a year and it wasn't a problem to leave it just painted drywall during that period of time. Actually, to be honest, I still have 2 small areas in the kitchen where I haven't done the backsplash yet, and we've been in the house for almost 5 years, but I don't suggest that you do that!

Here's my tumbled copper slate backsplash:

Awesome! Love the pics of DIY backsplash. Either it is very doable or you all are very talented!

Cawfee --

The leaves are porcelain tiles cut by waterjet laser - NOT by me ;-)
The field tile is 1 x 2 travertine mini-brick, and those were cut by me to accommodate the leaves. A hand-held grinder (Dremel would have been better), tile nippers and files were the tools of choice.

I did my own too. It was easy! I used 4" travertine and a mosaic for accent. I have tiled before, but not anything like a backsplash. Don't stress about it....it is not a hard project at all. Oh also...I used thinset and not mastic.

Mastic, baby. :-PPPP One of the only places you can use it.

ONLY if it's ceramic!

If you ever see me post over on the John BRidge forums, you'll see I have a quote in my signature line that's attributed to Henry Ford. It says "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right." I live by those words.

To give you a little confidence, though, a simple backsplash is one of the most elementary (although time consuming) installations you could possibly do. Even if you get into an intricate pattern or design, it's just a matter of slowing down, and taking your time, and the good thing about DIY is you can take all the time in the world-- the labor's FREE! Additionally, it's not like it would ruin the installation to stop halfway through and clean up for the day so you could cook dinner, and then go back to it the next day.

If I were to suggest ANY tile installation for a first timer, this would be it. Besides-- if you run into a curveball, or need help, I'm here, and there are alot more like me over at John Bridge' forum who will answer any questions you might have.

Here are some backsplashes that I DIY'd. These were all done with girl power. Don't be scared. I must admit the tile saw scared me at first, but just be sure to remember to keep your fingers out of the way, and above all PAY ATTENTION when using the saw. Hope all the above encouragement gives you the confidence to do this really fun project.

My first backsplash for my sister

Backsplash for my kitchen-this one was very time consuming because I had to level and plumb every single tile.

Backsplash for my neighbor's kitchen. Just took 4 days.