When tiling a kitchen backsplash behind a stove, the best practice is to continue the tiles down the wall a minimum of one full course below the countertop height. This is done in order to prevent any visual discontinuity so you cannot see any untiled wall surface.
Backsplashes should go behind the stove and between the countertop and the bottom of the upper cabinets, but not behind the fridge. The backsplash should be wherever there will be food and water splatter, but not where it can't be seen.
Make sure there's at least 8 ”- 9” between the burner and the tile surface, or a back control panel on the stove to provide distance. Always follow fire codes when installing your stove.
Some like to end it where the upper cabinet ends. Others like to stop at the edge the counter. And still, others want to take it to the end of the wall. Whichever looks best for the kitchen is the best place to end the backsplash.
Now because we always recommend ordering overage, we suggest ordering at least 15% extra. 15% of 8 square feet is 1.2, so you should round up and order at least 10 square feet of tile total. That's it! You're ready to start ordering your tile!
Multiply the width and height to find the total area in inches, then divide by 144 to find the amount of square feet needed (amount of inches in a square foot). For example, if your space is 48″ (width) x 18″ (height) = 864. 864/144 = 6 square feet. Be sure to measure every area that needs tile and add them together!
Measure length x width (in inches) and take that total number and divide it by 144. That gives you the square footage of your area.
It all starts with the alignment of your upper and lower cabinets. Hopefully they are lined up perfectly, as they are above, where the splash can run from the top edge of the countertop to the underside edge of the upper cabinet.
Backsplash height should be all the way from the Countertop to the bottom of upper cabinets. I strongly suggest designing it like this, otherwise, it will look outdated like on the bottom image. Also, it protects water spillage much better if it is made all the way up to upper cabinets.
The bottom of the upper cabinets, the bottom of a window, or the range hood are common lines to use as a guide for where to end your backsplash. Too many lines can make the room feel disjointed; continuing existing lines keeps the look unified and clean.
Granite, stone and other natural or composite materials are also commonly used in backsplashes, whether in tile form or as larger pieces. These higher-end materials will mean an increase in budget, but also a stunning and long-lasting stove backsplash. Stainless steel is another popular option for stove backsplashes.
Can I use peel-and-stick backsplash panels behind the stove? Most—but not all—peel-and-stick backsplashes are heat resistant and pose no problem if installed behind a stove.
When installing tile, leave a 1/8 inch (3 mm) gap between tile and cabinets. Fill the gap between the tile and cabinet with color-matched caulk. Then, smooth it with this caulking tool.
Make a mark directly in the middle of the wall above the countertop. This is where you will center the first tile to start the backsplash project. If the countertop is tiled, locate the tile that is in the middle of the counter and use that as your starting point.
First, during tile installation, leave a small space between the tiles and the wood surface or countertop… no more than 1/8 of an inch.
Step 1: Lay Out Your Backsplash Tile Design
If you are doing a straight wall—like my laundry nook, it's best to start at the center and work your way outward. However, if you are doing a corner, it's better to start in the corner and work your way out.
Skinny backsplashes are out of style, we are happy to report. A ceramic tile or glass backsplash that stretches from counter to cabinets is much easier to keep clean, and is more likely to catch spills and splatters.
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.
Multiply the tile length by the width to figure the area that one tile will cover in square inches. Divide the result by 144 to convert it to square feet. Then, divide the area you're tiling by the square footage of one tile to determine how many tiles you need.
Measure the length in feet, Measure the width in feet. Multiply the length figure by the width figure. This will be your total square footage for that portion of your project.
Measure the length and width of the space and multiply. Just as you did before. For example, if you have a bay area that is 5 feet by 4 feet it would be 5×4=20 sq. ft.
To begin, calculate the area of one tile in inches by multiplying the tile's length and width in inches. Finally, divide the calculated size of the space by the area of one tile. The result is the exact number of tiles required for the area.
A square foot is a measurement of area. It's defined as the area inside a square that measures one foot per side. Area is equal to length multiplied by width. So, one square foot is equal to an area that's one foot long by one foot wide.
How to calculate square footage. To calculate the square footage of any area, all you need to do is multiply the length and the width of the area (how tall x how wide).
It's essential to use caulk where the backsplash meets the kitchen counter, as well as at the top and edges of the backsplash. This prevents water from seeping in between your tile and the wall or trickling in behind your countertop. Water that infiltrates your wall in this way can cause mold, rot, and damage.