If the microwave goes past the tile then your install can be slightly slanted back. When you have tile behind there it is easy to jam the microwave in knowing you have a flat surface. If you decide to take micro out and go with a hood you probably won't have enough leftovers to get all the way up.
If you don't have a cabinet panel to support your microwave, you can install it on your wall. This creates a stylish floating design in which the microwave appears to be hanging on the wall without any support.
If you're planning to set up a microwave in a family room or bonus room that doesn't have upper cabinets, consider mounting it on a wall. Wall-mount accessory brackets have adjustable support arms that attach at the bottom of the microwave.
When shopping for a new microwave oven, you have the option of a mountable or a counter-top model, but it is possible to turn a counter-top model into a mountable model by using a microwave oven mounting kit.
There is no requirement that your Over The Range (OTR) Microwave be vented to the outdoors. All OTR microwave ovens can be set up to either allow the fan to recirculate the air back into the kitchen or be vented to the outdoors.
It requires a wall bracket, which is typically easy to install. However, a tile backsplash complicates the installation slightly -- you don't want to crack or break the tiles, but you must install the bracket screws through the tile.
If you're in a kitchen, and you're doing the countertop-to-upper-cabinet-18”-high-backsplash, it's best not to wrap that around to the side wall if you don't need to. As I always say... Transitioning materials on an inside corner is always best.
A standard backsplash continues from the kitchen countertops to approximately three to six inches up the wall, with four inches typically being the most common height.
From countertop to built-in
You can install the microwave into your cabinetry alone, or above a wall oven. Built-in installation with a trim kit maximizes counter space and achieves a custom, seamless look for your kitchen.
You can install an over-the-range microwave above a wall oven. However, it depends on the manufacturer. Before you jump into the installation, consult the manufacturer's instructions. Over-the-range microwaves are not the same as built-in microwaves, so it's important to double check the owner's manual.
If your wall has no wall studs anywhere within the area of installation, do not hang the microwave unit. The unit must be suspended by at least one stud. Housing construction for the past 150 years places wall studs 16 to 24 inches apart, so it is likely that a wall stud exists somewhere in the area of installation.
The vents allow expanding hot air to be released. So, you should allow enough clearance for these vents when installing a microwave oven. Proper airflow ensures efficient operation. Otherwise, the device may start malfunctioning, and efficiency will be compromised.
A ductless recirculating vent pulls air through a filter and exhausts the air back into the kitchen. Some units are equipped with a charcoal filter that traps some particulate matter and odors, but most of the heat and moisture, along with some types of particles, stay in the house.
Most microwaves don't require venting. However, if yours does, venting it from an inside wall is a simple matter of running the duct pipe to the nearest external wall. Alternatively, you can choose to run the duct pipe through the wall to the central ventilation.
When determining where to put a microwave in a small kitchen, the ultimate goal is to create or maintain as much space as possible. Therefore, the best places for a microwave in a small kitchen would be on a microwave rack, a baker's rack, or hutch pantry, as well as inside custom cabinetry or counters.
In terms of how high your kitchen backsplash should be, that's up to you. Many homeowners stop their backsplash level with the bottom of their upper cabinets. However, some choose to take the tile all the way up the ceiling. This can make the kitchen feel taller, drawing the eye up the wall.
You need a backsplash behind the stove to protect from grease and cooking splatter that could damage the surface behind the stove. The backsplash should be made of durable, nonabsorbent, and easy to clean material that will not discolor easily.