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Question for those that have OTR microwaves and tile backsplash

mountaineergirl

14 years ago

I'm planning on doing plain white subway tile for a backsplash after getting new granite countertops. We currently have an OTR microwave and when it goes bad we'll switch it out for another. So how far up do we tile? do we removed the microwave and tile behind it? I'm worried that a different model may be slightly shorter or longer and wouldn't work. Maybe I should just go with a hood and put the MW on the counter but reeeeealy don't want to do that.

Help!

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Comments (6)

gwentm
14 years ago
My backsplash was put in after the mircowave. I have extra tile left over so if I ever need to patch it won't be a problem.
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dianalo
14 years ago
I would guess to tile either below where this or a replacement micro would be, so that you have a finished top edge.
Or, you could tile up behind where the micro will go a bit in case of a size difference if you replace it. It would then have matching grout with the lower part and you would not be bringing someone back in to retrofit for such a simple change.
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On the idea of a sheet of stainless over the section. That is a nice idea. But, a couple of questions. The backsplash is tile so where the drywall is above it, you can see where the backsplash "sticks out" so to speak. That is, it isn't flush with the wall. The sheet of stainless won't be as thick as the tile. Will that look strange? Also, who would I have to do this? That is, we aren't redoing our kitchen so we don't have a kitchen contractor. We would just need to hire someone to do this. What type of contractor would we look for? Would this need to be done before the new hood is put in? I realize these sound like dumb questions, but I'm trying to figure out the mechanics of how we find someone to do this and what we are wanting them to do.
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weissman
14 years ago
Actually, a hood is a better choice for a lot of reasons.
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everyrose
14 years ago
I replaced my OTR and the new one had the same dimensions as the old one--so no problem. They seem to be pretty much standardized. There are a few high end ones that are bigger than the others though. Most of them hang down a little lower in the front anyway, so you won't see a less than perfect fit. Also, caulk can fill in any gaps. You might shop around and compare dimensions with your old OTR just to make sure.
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mountaineergirl
Original Author
14 years ago
THanks for your replies. I guess we'll just tile up to it and keep extra tile in case we ever do away with the OTR microwave. Thing is, it is an inch lower than the cabs. So we'd have to cut tile or put a 1-inch border on the top of the tile everywhere else but there. The cabs are exactly 18" from the top of the counter, and I am using 3X6 subway tiles. So actually I'm going to have to cut some tile anyway to fit, because I have to allow for the spacing there will be between tiles for the grout. Therefore every piece (either on top or bottom) will have to be cut some.

which leads me to another question - do you start the tile at the bottom or top? I'm thinking the bottom, the cut to fit right under the cabs? My head is starting to hurt.
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mountaineergirl
Original Author
14 years ago
OK I misspoke on that last post. I realize you have to start actual tiling at the bottom, but as far as appearance - should the cut piece be at the bottom or the top?

Another question - if the last piece of tile needs to be only say, 2" should I buy 2X6 tiles for that or cut the 3X6? Does the top piece of tile need to be bull-nose or can it be unfinished?

Also I read that I do not need to put up special board over the wall - just take sandpaper to it to rough it up?
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