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Getting Creative with Peel and Stick Tile
by Gail Enochs
Description: Do-it-yourself tips for decorating with peel and stick tile.
Do you like the look of slate tile but don't think you are up to tackling the installation and can't afford a professional to do the job? Or maybe the cost of stone or slate just isn't in your budget - well, maybe this trick is for you.
There are several vinyl peel and stick tiles out there that are pretty good grade and look really nice.
In one corner of our kitchen we have a cast-iron freestanding gas log stove. It is flanked by rocking chairs and makes a nice cozy sitting area. When we installed the stove we put it up on a raised 6-inch platform made of plywood to raise it up higher. The wall in that corner slopes from 8 feet up to about 12 feet and we thought it would look really nice to put either slate tile or natural stone in the corner surrounding the stove. The cost of the natural stone was prohibitive for us and while looking at the slate tiles one day we passed by the vinyl tile section and saw a color we really liked that was "imitation slate". The tile was heavy and had a nice feel. A light bulb went on in my head. My husband wasn't so sure at first...he was afraid it would look just like vinyl tile stuck to the wall. But with some convincing he finally agreed when we realized if it didn't look right after we applied a few tiles we could return the rest and we would only be out a few dollars. So away we went with a few boxes of vinyl tile.
We very quickly were able to put the tile into place on the wall with no pre-preparation since the wall was only painted and was clean. There was very little cutting involved and this was done with a razor knife. We also tiled the raised platform under the stove.
It didn't take long - only a couple of nights of hearing the tiles fall - to figure out that the adhesive on the back of the tiles was not sufficient to keep the tile on the wall, especially near a stove where the temperature was constantly going from hot to cold. This also presented a fire hazard as some of the tiles fell onto the stove. So we purchased Gorilla Glue (Liquid Nails would also work) and re-secured the tiles to the wall. That worked and they stayed up after that. Since our kitchen is a work in progress, when we finally get our kitchen finished and add the trimwork and moulding we will probably trim this area out with matching moulding.
The result was a beautiful backdrop to my fireplace. Every time a visitor comes into my kitchen they first admire it then walk over and touch the tiles and ask what it is...they never guess it is vinyl tile until I tell them. You just want to be careful in your selection of tile and don't pick something shiny that is obviously vinyl unless vinyl is the look you are trying to achieve!
You always want to be careful about what you install near any type of heat source and how close you install it. Always make sure it is securely attached so that it cannot come loose and fall and present a fire hazard or fall and hit someone and hurt them! When using any type of glue make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and keep the area well ventilated. It is also a good idea to turn off any pilot lights and make sure there are no open flames present.
I would also try this type of tile on the outside areas of a traditional fireplace to freshen it up or for kitchen backsplash areas. I am considering adding the same tile as a backsplash in my kitchen to bring those two areas of my kitchen together.
I would be happy to send photos to anyone who would like to see how this project turned out.
Reprinted with permission.
Reader coment: I am always looking for a way to save money on things I want,
especially when it comes to decorating! I once had a friend put up 'brick style'
vinyl remnant on her wall under her kitchen cabinets/above her
counters--she then painted it white--it looks like white brick on her walls.
Really looked nice...Dee
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