for vertical places, the adhesive tile is a crucial part of installing a mat for the backsplash. Installing tile on any vertical surface can be tricky, and backsplashes are no exception. Whether monolithic or mosaic, wall tiles are usually installed using the same thin-bed adhesive used for floors and other horizontal surfaces. Vertical tiles sometimes refuse to stick to the wall long enough for the thin adhesive to dry, causing a lot of frustration for DIYers. One possible solution to this problem is provided by self-adhesive tile mats which are especially useful for backsplash applications behind kitchen and bathroom counters. Adhesive pads are similar to large sheets of double-sided tape. Sold in rolls, the pads are coated with adhesive on both sides and protect both surfaces with release paper.
One side of the cushion is glued to the wall and the exposed side provides a surface to glue the tiles in place. Adhesive pads are much more expensive than thin adhesives, and while they can be used for full-wall tiling jobs, they are more commonly used in limited applications such as backsplashes. In theory, this is an innovation with many advantages - and in many cases, it works as promised. But in practice, adhesive mats do not provide as much grip as traditional thin adhesives, they are not a good choice for laying large tiles or installing mesh mosaic tile panels, and with over time, they tend to peel off the carpet.
- advantage
- Simple laying of tiles
- Curing time without a binder
- The tiles do not slip
- easy installation
- Disadvantage
- Tiles can loosen over time
- Expensive
- limited holding power
The convenience offered by adhesive tile mats comes at a price, as they are about four times the cost of traditional thin adhesives. It's not a huge sum compared to the cost of the tiles themselves, but budget-conscious DIYers might consider it. Expect to pay around $2 to $3 per square foot for sticky tile rugs.
The maintenance and repair of the tile itself are the same whether or not the tile uses a thin adhesive or tacky mat. Grout lines should be kept sealed and joints may need to be repointed periodically. Grouting can be a bit of a hassle, as scraping off old grout can cause the tile to lift off the adhesive pad. If the tile pulls away from the wall, the best strategy is to thoroughly clean the wall where the tile is located, then install the replacement tile using a small piece of new adhesive pad or traditional thin adhesive. Adhesive pads work with many types of tile, but your options are limited. The holding power of the adhesive pad is approximately 7 pounds per square foot, which means that large, heavy tiles are generally impractical. Adhesive mats do not work well with mesh mosaic panels; Since most of the quality glass and tile used for backsplashes is mosaic, this can significantly limit your design options.
The process of installing backsplash tiles using adhesive tile mats is quite simple. Use utility scissors or a utility knife to unfold the adhesive pad and cut it to fit the backsplash space. Peel off the protective film on one side, stick the stamp to the wall and flatten the surface for good adhesion. Then peel off the outer protective film and start installing the tiles. The actual tile application is much the same as installing thin adhesive, but with an adhesive pad, you don't have to rush installation lest the thin adhesive dries out. Also, don't worry about the tiles slipping off the wall; they usually stick exactly where you pressed them against the carpet. As with any tile installation, you need spacers to maintain an even seam between the tiles. Grouting tiles is exactly the same as any other tile installation. Adhesive tile mats are perfect for DIY installations. In fact, they're more suitable for DIYers than professionals, who typically shy away from this product for fear of calling back to fix a botched tile job.
Another easy way to install a tile backsplash is to use peel and stick mosaic tiles, which are now sold in dozens of styles at major home improvement centers, tile stores, and online retailers. Installation is similar to using an adhesive pad, except in this case the self-adhesive pad material is pre-attached to the mosaic sheet. While the options for peeling and sticking tiles are more limited (with an adhesive pad, you can use just about any tile you want), peeling and sticking mosaic panels are easier to work with. However, as with stick-on tile mats, some users report that peeling and sticking tile panels lose their holding power over time. Adhesive tile mats are recommended for creating tile backsplashes for anyone who cannot install tile on vertical surfaces. This is a very easy way to install backsplash tiles, especially for novice DIYers. Note, however, that this method is often avoided by professionals, who prefer the more proven method of installing tile with a thin adhesive.