Can backsplash be installed BEFORE counters??

14 years ago

I'm in a constant state of confusion about the order in which things need to be done. Thought I would install my bead board - 3/4" thick and then have countertop butt up to it, then caulk.

Have read a zillion posts about 'kitchen finished except for backsplash'. Please tell me if putting it in first breaks all kinds of important rules.

Thanks much, Rosie the Dim

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Comments (8)

brickeyee
14 years ago
You are going to need a lot of caulk to fill the gaps between the counter and the breadboard at the grooves.

If you install the counter first the bead board will sit on top and there may be few or no gaps beyond the thin bead needed to seal the bottom of the bead board (even in the grooves) to the counter.
Fori
14 years ago
It does break all the rules but I can't think of any reason it wouldn't work with beadboard.
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jrueter
14 years ago
I think the backsplash is usually after counters because even with templating and scribing the walls there can be some small gaps which are covered by the backsplash. (and certainly sometimes if not done well the gaps can be much larger) If you put in the backsplash first, the granite will have to be a perfect fit.
bill_vincent
14 years ago
It does break all the rules but I can't think of any reason it wouldn't work with beadboard.

I can. It would be much easier if the caulking begins to peel, for liquid to get down behind the countertop if the countertop butts up to the backsplash, rather than the other way around.
igloochic
14 years ago
GMTA Bill I thought the same thing :) It can be done...but it's never a good idea.
ccoombs1
14 years ago
I have another reason why it shouldn't be done that way. what if you get tired of the bead board in 10 years and want to put up tile? You can't tile over bead board and you won't be able to remove it.
rosiew
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks to all of you for your thoughts to date. Many good points. I will wait.

My reno can't move forward. Friend/neighbor who is helping me is spending almost all his time at the hospital with his wife - nearly five weeks now. It's been horrible. She's in ICU and has been all but two days in all that time. Another neighbor gave me pieces of her old counters and I've put them over the new run of drawers. Right now Dee's care is the only important thing.

Rosie
amberley
14 years ago
Hi rosie- so sorry to hear about your neighbor's health. Hope it turns around soon.

I think I can help! I just installed my beadboard backsplash (3/4") BEFORE the counter. I didn't want to lose the 3/4" space on my counters. The way to make this look clean and neat is after you have your counters installed, install a small piece of trim molding (I am using something really small and thin) just to finish it off. It is essentially the same idea as base molding. You can then add a straight bead of silicone across.

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Can backsplash be installed BEFORE counters??

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brickeyee

Fori

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bill_vincent

igloochic

ccoombs1

rosiew
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Can backsplash be installed BEFORE counters??

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brickeyee

Fori

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jrueter

bill_vincent

igloochic

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rosiewOriginal Author

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