I’m going to be using a tumbled travertine marble backsplash in my kitchen, and I am curious if the substrate needs to be cement board or some other tile backer, or can it be the drywall already in place? The drywall, BTW, is blueboard.
I’m going to be using a tumbled travertine marble backsplash in my kitchen, and I am curious if the substrate needs to be cement board or some other tile backer, or can it be the drywall already in place? The drywall, BTW, is blueboard.
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Replies
The tiles will stick just fine to your drywall as long as its in good shape but be sure to grout and seal. If you anticipate alot of water around the sink you can piece in some cement board, Hardiebacker works nicely.
Drywall is fine.
You may want to prime it first with paint.
You don't need cement board hardibacker stainless steel screws.................
Put the tile up and enjoy it.
Eric
It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been
[email protected]
Caulk the intersection with the counter. Grout can/will crack at such a seam.
Caulk it with a grout-caulk in a matching color, either sanded or unsanded to match the main caulk.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Exactly what is in "grout-caulk"?
Most of the grout manufacturers make sanded and unsanded caulking in colors that match their regular grout products. You'll probably need to go to a real tile store for it, though. I haven't seen it at a big box.
Yea - I've seen my tile guys using it but haven't seen it at the home centers - etc. So, is it a latex based product or what?
Lowes carries about 4 colors: white, ivory, x, y. Yes, it is latex based. My guess is it's very similar to Alex Plus caulk, color matched to the grout names, and available with sand.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I'm pretty sure it's latex based. I recently did a big tile job and got it when I bought the grout at a tile store. I think I may have part of a tube in the shop and will look for it.
You definitely want to caulk (rather than grout) between the counter and backsplash. Normal expansion and contraction will wreck grouted joints.
I just found the tube and it's made by "CeramaSeal". According to the info on the tube, it's;
a "One Part, Siliconized, Acrylic Latex Caulk "
"Available in all Hydroment & Durabond Standard and Designer Colors"
Edited 11/5/2005 1:43 pm by Dave45
Can these sanded caulkings be used on exteriors?
Do they make caulking to match the color of mortar?
The stuff I have isn't for exterior use. The tube says it's for residential or light commercial use only. There are some specific words about not using it in restaurants, etc.
I use Accucolour.Since it is a latex, it can be use exterioror but it must be above freezing
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Will look into that, have to find a place that sells the stuff. Thanks.
Yeah, it's going to freeze pretty soon, I am bracing myself. :(
They have about 50-60 colours that match their grouts
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
i just did our backsplash w/ tumbled travertine. The first lesson i learned was... The tiles are not the exact same size, so layout has to be sort of freehanded. i had up to a 5/32" difference in size between tiles. so, i couldn't rely on precise measurements or layout lines. other than that, i went straight on the drywall with a premixed mastic, and so far, so good. it was my first backsplash, and i'm pretty happy with the results. (our tile people wanted $25 sq/ft for installation only.)
here are some pics of it.
have fun,
-mike.
Nice job, Michael. What are the accent pieces?
I did a tile counter and backsplash early this year and seriously considered taking up strong drink by the time it was over - lol. Between the owners accent pieces and the receptacles, almost every tile needed a cut of some kind. The area behind the stove was an absolute joy - I got to set 10-12 tiles without cutting one. - lol
the accent pieces are the same granite as the counters. i must say, they were a little more work than i expected, mostly because of the irregular tile sizes. each one had to be custom cut, so their is a slight varriance in size... but i'm the only spaz that notices.
hope that wasn't copyrighted ...
'cause I just stole yer pictures!
always looking for good detailed shots to give customers ideas.
Yours looks great ... nice job.
Jeff
btw ... I'm a huge "backerboard thinsetted down" guy .... except for backsplashes.
drywall and mastic are just fine for a backsplash.
I do like to suggest epoxy grout if the splash is gonna get heavily splashed or lotsa cooking grease and oils.
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
While we're at it then.............
Got one with SS and glass coming up, I'll be sure to post pics.
Eric
ps. good to see you here once in a while!It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been
[email protected]
just send me pictures of any backsplashes that were inspired by mine.-mike.
Nice work, Mike.
Did you seal the stone? If so with what?
I am planning on doing a slate backsplash and I am worry about the grease and water staining.
The accent pieces, are they from the same slab as the countertop? How did you slice them to the same thickness as the travertine?
i sealed it with a stone sealer from HD. i can't remember the name, but it was a green bottle, w/ teflon and cost about $15. it has a 20yr warranty... way more than i plan to have the backsplash... or house.the accents were 12x12 granite tiles, not from the same slab, but the same type. they varry just a hair from the countertop, but its the same type "tropic brown". i thought about using a spare piece of my slab to make them, but then i would have had to build up the backsplash with hardibacker... but that was just crazy talk.-mike.
One more question. Does the sealer change the appearance of the stone at all? e.g. sheen, color.
I heard people would take the leftover slab and ask the fabricator to slice it to the same thickness as the surrounding tiles. To me finding the same granite in a matching tile is probably easier unless the slab is a one-of-a-kind.
Does the sealer change the appearance of the stone
You can get sealer that makes it look shiny, or doesn't show at all. The front label will usually tell. I think one is called enhancing, the other is called penetrating.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
the one i got did not change the sheen. i think the grout got a *tad* darker, but its an insignificant change.
Super job!