How to Tile Backsplash Corners - Backsplash Kitchen

Introduction

Tiling a backsplash can transform the look and feel of your kitchen. However, the corners where walls meet can be tricky when installing tile. Properly tiling backsplash corners takes some planning and precision but the finished look is well worth the effort.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the entire process of tiling backsplash corners from start to finish. We will cover proper planning and prep, recommended materials and tools, detailed installation steps, and pro tips for getting clean, professional results. With the right approach, you can achieve beautiful, seamless corners that really make your new backsplash pop.

Gather Your Materials

Tiling backsplash corners starts with having the right supplies on hand. Here’s an overview of the key items you’ll need:

Tile: Choose tile designed for backsplashes and wet areas. Ceramic, porcelain, glass, and natural stone are common options. Make sure your corner tiles match the field tiles.
Tile adhesive: Use a polymer-modified thinset mortar designed for walls and wet areas. This provides a strong bond.
Grout: Pick an appropriate grout color and type (sanded or unsanded) for your tiles. A sanded grout is better for wider grout lines.
Tile spacers: These plastic crosses maintain even grout line spacing. Get the right size for your tiles.
Trowel: Choose a notched trowel suitable for your tile size to evenly spread the thinset.
Wet saw: This specialty saw cleanly cuts tile with water to minimize dust and chips. A snap tile cutter is fine for straight cuts.
Grout float: This tool helps work grout into joints evenly and smoothly.
Sponges: Have several clean, dry sponges to wipe up excess thinset and grout. Damp sponges are also useful for smoothing grout lines.
Corner trowel: The triangular shape is ideal for applying thinset in corners. A small paintbrush also works.
Mixing bucket: This is useful for mixing up batches of thinset mortar as you go.
Safety gear: Wear safety goggles and a dust mask when cutting tile.

With the right supplies assembled, you can move on to preparing the space.

Prep Your Backsplash Area

Careful prep work is crucial for successful tile installation. Here are some tips for getting your backsplash ready for tiling:

Clean the surface: Use soap and water to thoroughly clean the backsplash area. This allows the thinset to properly adhere.
Fill any holes and imperfections: Use spackle or drywall joint compound to patch any dents, cracks, or uneven areas in the backsplash. Allow patching materials to dry completely before tiling.
Mark the center point: Lightly mark a vertical and horizontal line at the center point of your backsplash area. This guides tile placement.
Plan your tile layout: Dry lay tiles across the backsplash to determine the optimal layout. Ensure cut tiles at edges are at least half a tile wide.
Check for plumb and level: Use a level to ensure the walls are plumb. Shim if needed to create a flat surface.
Gather supplies: Have your thinset, tools, tiles, spacers, and other materials organized and ready to go within easy reach.

Taking time to correctly prep the backsplash will pay off in a much smoother tiling process.

How to Cut Tiles for Corners

Cutting corner tiles for the backsplash is often the trickiest step. With care and precision, you can achieve perfectly mitered corner tiles:

Measure corner angle: Use a protractor to accurately measure the corner angle. This ensures precise cuts.
Mark tiles to be cut: Lay tile to be cut over corner and use a pencil to trace the angle onto the backside.
Cut tile along lines: Use a wet saw fitted with a diamond blade to carefully cut along the marked lines.
Test fit tile: Dry fit the cut tile and inspect the fit. Recut as needed for a tight seam.
Repeat process for other tiles: Follow the same steps to measure, mark, cut, and test fit any other corner tiles.
Save cut tile scraps: Keep any usable remnants to potentially use elsewhere, such as at edges or filler areas.

Cutting corner tiles takes practice. Having spare tiles on hand allows room for error. Take it slow and double check angles.

Installing Corner Tiles

Once you have your tiles cut, it’s time to begin installation. Follow these key steps for properly tiling backsplash corners:

Apply thinset: Use a corner trowel to spread a layer of thinset mortar evenly across the corner. Apply additional thinset using the notched edge of a standard trowel.
Press in the corner tile: Set the mitered corner tile into place, pressing it firmly into the thinset. Use spacers to maintain an even gap for grout lines.
Install adjacent tiles: Working outward from the corner, press adjacent tiles into place. Ensure they are level and aligned.
Check for gaps: Look for any gaps at tile seams and use a putty knife to apply more thinset and fill them before it dries. Wipe away excess.
Allow thinset to cure: Give the thinset adhesive at least 24 hours to fully cure before grouting. Curing times can vary, so check the product directions.
Clean tiles: Use a damp sponge to wipe any dried thinset or residue from the tile faces in preparation for grouting.

Patience and care at each step will ensure your corner tiles are soundly bonded and aligned.

Grouting Corner Tiles

Grouting is what brings the whole tiled backsplash together. Follow good grouting practices for corners:

Apply grout sealer: Before grouting, use a grout sealer on polished tiles like marble or travertine. This prevents staining.
Work in small sections: Spread grout over about 4 square feet at a time so it stays workable as you go.
Pack grout firmly into corners: Use the narrow end of a grout float or a grout brush to pack grout tightly into inside and outside corners. Remove any excess.
Clean with damp sponge: Wipe diagonal across corners with a lightly dampened sponge to smooth grout lines and remove excess grout. Rinse sponge frequently.
Check for voids: Scrutinize corners and fill any voids or low spots with additional grout. Removing excess grout is easier than adding more later.
Avoid drying too fast: Slow grout drying by misting the corner area lightly with water. A grout sealer or silicone can also help.
Caulk gaps: If corner grout lines end up uneven, use caulk in matching grout color to fill gaps for a tidy look.

Proper grouting is key to finishing corners beautifully. Take your time and do a careful final inspection.

Tips for Achieving Flawless Corners

Here are some additional pointers to help you achieve perfectly tiled backsplash corners:

Choose a neutral thinset color like white or gray. This prevents any unevenness in the corners from showing through lighter grout.
When spreading thinset, make sure to work it into the corner where tiles meet. Good thinset coverage prevents cracking.
Cut several extra tiles in case any need to be redone. Keeping spare corner tiles allows for mistakes.
For easier spreading, mix thinset mortar to a looser consistency than for floor tiling. Just don’t compromise adhesion.
Look for any lippage where tile edges are not flush in the corners. Use spacers when setting tiles to prevent this.
When grouting, alternate between using the corner float and sponge cleaning to thoroughly pack and smooth the joints.
Consider using caulk that matches your grout for the corner seam between the countertop and backsplash. This creates a nice finish.
If tiling both the backsplash and countertop, miter cut the edging tiles at the corner for a continuous look.

Take a careful, precise approach and your finished backsplash corners will look professionally done.

Common Questions about Backsplash Corner Tiling

Tiling backsplash corners often raises questions for DIYers. Here are answers to some of the most common queries:

Should I use bullnose tiles on the corners?

Bullnose tiles can be used to finish outside corners, but mitered field tiles typically give the best seamless look on inside corners. Bullnose tiles often have more visible seams between them.

How wide should the cut edge be on corner tiles?

For the strongest corners, aim to have the cut edge be at least 15-20% of the total tile width. Very thin edges can potentially crack or chip over time.

What angle should I cut the tiles for a 90 degree inside corner?

Use a protractor to measure, but an inside 90 degree corner requires cutting each tile at a precise 45 degree mitered angle. This ensures the pieces join in a tight V shape.

Can I use a snap tile cutter on porcelain or ceramic?

Wet saws generally make the cleanest cuts for porcelain and ceramic tiles. Snap cutters work better for straight cuts on natural stone tiles.

How long should I wait before grouting corner tiles?

It’s best to allow the thinset adhesive at least 24 hours of curing time before applying grout on corner tiles. Refer to your product’s directions for recommended cure times.

What’s the easiest way to apply grout in corners?

Using a grout float designed for corners or a narrow grout brush can make packing grout into inside and outside corners much easier compared to traditional wider floats.

Conclusion

Tiling backsplash corners adds a professional look to your kitchen backsplash project. While cutting and installing the corner tiles themselves requires careful precision, the right preparation and materials make achieving flawless results very doable as a DIY project. Taking a slow, meticulous approach is the key.

The finished product will transform the look of your kitchen. The seamless, integrated corners will give your new backsplash a high-end designer appearance. Just be sure to seal the grout and keep the area maintained once installed.

With the proper planning, tools and technique, you can tackle tiling backsplash corners with confidence. So don’t be afraid to incorporate this eye-catching detail that really makes a backsplash standout.