skip to main content

Order backsplash tile with mesh or no mesh?

9 years ago

My mom is ordering a beautiful handmade tile for her backsplash from a small company in Oregon. They are 2 x 4 in. tiles in five different textures and colors. The difference in cost is significant between ordering them individually vs meshed: Individual around $35 sq foot; with mesh around $55 sq ft.

She wants the grout lines to be straight and nice looking. What are the pros and cons of ordering mesh vs individual tiles? She will be hiring someone to do the installation for her. No DIY here!

Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

christina222_gw
9 years ago
Since there are multiple colors and textures I'd rather have unmeshed. If they come on mesh she has to either accept their layout or cut them apart anyway. As long as she hires a good tile person and approves the layout she should be fine with unmeshed.
pprioroh
9 years ago
labor costs may be higher, reducing your savings. DIY user would obviously have a higher chance of a quality look afterwards.

If not meshed, then you're also relying on the pro's decision of color layouts which may vary from what you would ideally chose or the manufacturer would choose.

Given all that if you approve the layout before it's up, and a pro is doing it, I agree with Christina, save the money.
Related Discussions
Glass tile backsplash with plastic sheets, not mesh?
Q
Comments (8)
Whoever came up with the idea of replacing the sturdy glued and back mounted mesh on glass mosaic tiles with flimsy plastic or paper on the front that lets them fall all over the place and pulls them off the wall when you peel it, is an absolute !@$#! moron. How in the world did this become a trend for glass mosaic?
...See More
Help Please... Iridescent Tile Backsplash
Q
Comments (8)
Thank you everyone for the suggestions! I am sorry that I have not responded- we just moved back into our (almost!) remodeled house on Monday March 31, and finally got our internet service up and running today. I have now ordered some samples based on the recommendations, and will double check with Daltile. fran1523- your backsplash is georgeous! It goes so nicely with your granite. That is just the kind of look we are trying to acheive.
...See More
tile mesh backing won't stick
Q
Comments (12)
Chispa...really....that's not helpful. If you had a similar situation, what did you actually do? He's trying to have the lines be straight and spacing even, which is what created the question about a way to keep the mesh in place. It seems lines up well on the mesh, so the manufacturer seems to have done that fine, it's just the glue doesn't work. The idea about something on the front is what we're going to try. Something waterproof but later releasable.
...See More
Kitchen backsplash - mesh-mounted or field tile backsplash?
Q
Comments (12)
lmao. what Jan said! Although, I had to help out my guys who did my herringbone wood floor. it's the starting point where everyone gets messed up. after that, it's simple. Look up how to properly start a herringbone layout and read it. you need to use a speed square at the end of your tile in order to get the proper middle starting point. much easier to illustrate than trying to write it out here. This is how I showed my guys how to start it. see the blue tape w/the two lines? you have to start on the middle after you mark your corner. that's the only way you will get perfect even cuts on both ends. this is how most do it, and it's not correct IF you want perfectly symmetrical left/right borders. All he's done is set the corner of the tile on the line. doing it like this will leave you w/one side smaller than the other: see how the sides of the window don't match? this is what you don't want. your tile guy should be doing a dry layout in order to determine where he starts so he doesn't get this look or these tiny triangles. Again,,,see how the ends don't match below? the right has longer tiles than the left edge. that's because of the way he started his first tile. And don't do these vertical tiles for your edging. get proper bullnose tiles, pencil liner or a Schluter edge. This is a layout board of my herringbone for my shower. took a few hours in order to get this almost perfect. since this was an odd size, and the tiles were even at 3x12, it couldn't be perfect. the right bottom corner triangle is the only portion that doesn't match. luckily, it's not readily visible! Even the subway tiles are perfectly matched. this layout took hours to get exact, even around the niche. 2x6your 3x9 will be 1/3 larger. 3x9 is a good size for a backsplash. this is a regular 3x6. again, a 3x9 will give you 1/3 longer.
...See More
jellytoast
9 years ago
Mulitple textures and colors, small tiles ... installation and layout will be more difficult for the installer. Savings on the tile will be lost on labor. Make sure the installer knows what he's working with before he gives you his bid.
Carrie B
9 years ago
My sister did a clever thing with her bathroom - don't know if it would work for you, but it worked well for her...

She used a board (I think it was actually styrofoam) and she glued ornamental glass "stones" of various colors & sizes to the foam in a pattern she liked. She then had her contractor secure them to the wall/grout them.

It turned out great, and I've thought that if I end up going with any kind of "random" (or not so random) pattern that I might do that myself.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:2135336}}
crl_
9 years ago
Has she hired someone for the job? If so, I'd ask the tile setter.
amberm145_gw
9 years ago
Since it's not the tile setter paying for it, he'd definitely say get the meshed. So my question would be "How much to do this job with meshed tile? How much to do it without meshed tile?"

Then figure out if it's worth the savings to get it unmeshed.

Having it meshed doesn't guarantee perfectly straight grout lines. There is a bit of play in the mesh.
jellytoast
9 years ago
Laying out multi-textured and multi-colored tiles into an aesthetically pleasing pattern takes time, so there is more to it then simply installing meshed vs. unmeshed tile. Someone is going to pay for that extra time, and there is a chance that the setter's layout and mix of colors/textures may still not please the homeowner. Something to consider.

This post was edited by jellytoast on Tue, Jan 20, 15 at 13:29

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN 8 Top Tile Types for Your Kitchen Backsplash

By The Inman Company

Backsplash designs don't have to be set in stone; glass, mirror and mosaic tiles can create kitchen beauty in a range of styles

TILE 5 Head-Turning Tile Styles for Backsplashes and More

By Karen Egly-Thompson

If plain subway tile would derail your bold decorating vision, these dashing tiles can help you arrive at a brilliant solution

KITCHEN DESIGN 5 Stunning Alternatives to the Tile Backsplash

By KitchenLab Interiors

Try Stone Slab, Glass, Steel, Concrete or Beadboard Above the Kitchen Counter

DECORATING GUIDES Bling Where It’s Least Expected

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Give your interior some sparkle and shine with metal tiles on a backsplash, shower or floor

REMODELING GUIDES Past Squares with Present in Spanish Tile

By Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS, MCCWC

Historic styles got modern updates at the 2012 Cevisama tile expo in Spain. Let your floors, walls and backsplashes reap the results

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Color: 15 Ravishing Red Backsplashes

By Jennifer Ott Design

Bring some zing to your kitchen with a backsplash of ruby-colored tiles or back-painted glass

BATHROOM DESIGN 'Weave' Stone Tile for an Elegant Bath

By Debbie Snider

Basketweave Mosaics Add Style and Dimension to a Tile Floor

MATERIALS Kitchen Ideas: How to Choose the Perfect Backsplash

By Sophie Baylis

Backsplashes not only protect your walls, they also add color, pattern and texture. Find out which material is right for you

KITCHEN DESIGN Houzz Quiz: Which Kitchen Backsplash Material Is Right for You?

By Jennifer Ott Design

With so many options available, see if we can help you narrow down the selection

REMODELING GUIDES Contractor Tips: How to Install Tile

By Buckminster Green LLC

Before you pick up a single tile, pull from these tips for expert results

Sponsored

More Discussions

Before and after

9

Shiloh rift sawn white oak cabinets in Straw

5

hello , what are your thoughts on two tone countertops?

5

Do workstation sinks and marble countertops mix

2

kitchen countertops

2