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Replacing a tile backsplash?

15 years ago

Hi everyone I haven't been here in almost a year. When we were building, I picked out a tile backsplash in a rush using what was available at the tile shop. It wasn't my first choice and I am now wondering how hard and expensive it would be to replace?

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Comments (8)

cheri127
15 years ago
just trying to get *dont post new thread* post back to the top.
bill_vincent
15 years ago
mom, it all depends on how well it was installed. Only one way to find out!

*cringing* :-)
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$20-$30 a square foot for labor is the current going rate in my low cost labor area for a backsplash. (If you're having a floor done, the setters usually give you a break on the combination.) Do it yourself. Save yourself several hundred dollars of labor, especially if all you want is something simple. Labor is usually the biggest component in a tile backsplash because it's a small job that's a PIA with all of the bending over and cutting that can occur. It's not that hard (with a back brace and a tile saw) if all you're going for is a simple look. If you have to rip out the drywall because the current tile is too well attached, then it's easier to just go back with cement backerboard than new drywall. Then you can tile right on top of that easy peasy. Or the tile may just pop right off. You never know until you give it a go! Get yourself a flat bladed scraper and start removing the tile now. At least you'll have the project started and won't have to pay for the demo!
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I would consider what the rentals in the neighborhood are like and only do improvements if it will help you rent the property faster. Hardware is a functional must to protect your cabinets. Aside form that, the light is a candidate, but you need to select carefully as there does not seem to be adequate light. The countertop, if it needs to be replaced at all, should focus on replacing the trim strip where there is mold and pretty heavy wear at the sink/dw. It may begin to degrade further. A new laminate with a continuous edge would be the only upgrade I would consider, but then you get into issues with the backsplash and you are quickly escalating in cost, if you are not experienced at doing your own tile. Similarly, I would not paint the cabinets but I might consider brightening and modernizing the color of the walls. It is not doing the BSor soffit any favors. And if you do not have the doors any longer, that refrigerator cabinet would show better with a quick lick of paint on the inside or some other solution. Right now, from a distance, it looks like damage with the salmon colored backing.
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depends what the granite will be if it will work with existing backsplash i see no reason to change the backsplash if it will clash then change by all means one needs to see the materials and the kitchen to answer properly. it should all work together and make sense within the context of your house and you should't overdo it for people whose tastes you don't know. neither should you underdo it just because the listing would mention "granite countertops". Frankly, I never liked this kind of backsplash yet I'd never rip it out upon buying a house if it makes sense with the general color scheme etc, until I decide to remodel for example-which might be years down the road. Neither I'd expect for the house to cost less because it has backsplash that I'm not mad about. If buyers will be bugged by it so much well they'll redo it themselves when they can. Your concern is to make it a cohesive kitchen while preparing it for sale.
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Agree that the grey tiles to mimic wall would look great as well. I also agree with gyr_falcon regarding the corner of the grey paneling. I would remove the white trim you added and paint the seam dark to match the grout color. Just go to a craft store and buy a small bottle of black and white paint. Mix until you match the color then paint it. (Removing the corner trim will bring the gap size closer to the grout line size. If you feel you need trim there before painting, you could use a piece of 1/4 round trim instead, or a similarly narrow trim.) It make a more cohesive look. As with everyone else, Great Job!
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xoxosmom
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for replying Bill V. They probably used thinset(?is that what it is called?) directly to the wall.

Does your *cringe* suggest I keep what I have?
logic
15 years ago
We replaced the backsplash behind our range. It was applied directly to the wall. Hubby just cut out the drywall, installed new drywall, taped, spackled and sanded...and applied the new tiles. It helps of course that he is very talented at doing these things, so for him, it really wasn't as much of a PITA as it sounds. It went very smoothly.
howling_angel
15 years ago
i just recently painted over my backsplash tiles instead of ripping out the old ones and replacing them. i love how it turned out, plus it was super easy and cheap. i don't know what kind of tiles you have, but i just did a couple coats of bonding primer on the tile and the paint stuck to it beautifully.

{{!gwi}}
bill_vincent
15 years ago
Mom-- Unless it's really offensive to you, you might want to consider living with it. You may be opening a real can of worms, if that tile was set well, including tearing out the sheetrock and replacing it, along with the possibility of having to patch it past where the tile stops at the end of the counter, finish it and paint it to match the rest of your kitchen, and there's no way to tell until you start the demo. So you may just have to take the tile down and scrape some old thinset, or you may have to go for the full monty, so to speak. Before you take that first swing of the hammer, you need to be prepared to do either.
xoxosmom
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks everyone. I think I will let it be for now.
59 Dodge
15 years ago
What is surprising to me, is so many people have gorgeous granite, but then they install a tile backsplash. We used the same granite as the countertops and are really happy with the result. The granite is Arandis Gold and has a lot of movement---kinda looks like mountains. The thing I like about it, is I can be sitting in the family room and enjoy the granite, with it only on the coutertops you either havta be cooking or standing over it to see it, maybe you could install granite over that "not so much to your taste backsplash"?

Gary

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