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Installing a Tile Mural
by Linda Paul
Description: How to install a custom tile mural in your kitchen.
Materials Needed for Installation:
- Premixed ceramic tile adhesive or premixed thinset
- Notched trowel
- Small plastic smooth trowel
- Ceramic tile spacers (optional); small 1/8” spaces look better with the murals
- Sponge (small kitchen sponge works fine)
- Rubber float
- Grout (unsanded grout is recommended)
- Bucket with water
- Wood bar for stabilizing bottom row of tiles. If there is not an existing row of tiles on your wall, nail or screw a small wood bar directly below the bottom row of where your mural will be installed. This will prevent the tiles from slipping down during installation and curing.
Pre Installation
- Lay out your mural on a flat surface. The mural tiles are numbered on the back.
- Make sure the installation surface is clean and free of wallpaper, grease etc.
Installation
- Start with the bottom row of tiles. If there is not an existing row of tiles, backsplash or support on your wall, nail or screw a small straight wood bar directly below the bottom row of where your mural will be installed. Use a level to make sure the wood bar is straight and level. This will prevent the tiles from slipping down during installation and curing. (If you have an extra day for your project, install the bottom row of tiles first and let them set 24 hours before proceeding.)
1. Adhering the Tiles to the Wall
- Starting with the bottom row, spread a thin layer of premixed thinset on the wall then use a notched trowel to make valleys in the thinset.
- Butter the back of the tile with thinset then use the notched trowel to create valleys in the adhesive.
- Press the tile firmly into place. (Note: Put a moderate amount of adhesive on the tile, but not so much that it oozes out the sides.)
- Immediately wipe off any thinset that get onto the front of the mural tile and do no let any thinset dry on the front of your mural. Wipe any excess off with a wet sponge.
- If you are using spacers, place 1/8” spacers between the tiles (spacers also help prevent to prevent slipping).
- Make sure you clean off any adhesive that gets on to the front of the tiles! Keep a bucket of water and sponge close by.
2. Curing
- Once you have glued all the tiles to the wall, let them cure 24 hours before grouting.
3. Grouting
- Start with a small section (12 tiles or so).
- Remove all tile spacers.
- Dampen the tiles with water and a clean sponge (small kitchen sponge works well).
- Apply just enough grout to fill the spaces (joints) between the tiles. Do not cover the entire surface of the mural with grout. (Tip from Linda Paul - use a small flat plastic trowel to place grout on the end of the float.)
- Holding the rubber float at a 45 degree angle, push the grout into the spaces between the tiles until they are filled.
- Remove excess grout using the edge of the float at a 90 degree angle.
- Clean any excess grout off the tiles using a clean sponge and clean water, avoiding the grout lines.
- For smooth joints: use the end of your finger.
or
for a textured rustic look: take the sponge and pat the grout lines. It’s a great look with the tumbled stone.
- Clean the tiles with the edge of the sponge until they look clean! (Not hazy.)
- If there is haze, you can remove it several hours later.
Cutting Tiles
- Some installations may require cutting of tiles. You can cut tiles with a wet saw. The sharper the blade the cleaner the cut.
For pictures of installed murals see http://www.lindapaul.com/Decorative_tile_Kitchen_Decorating_ideas.htm
To purchase tile mural of France, Italy, and the southwest visit http://www.lindapaul.com/ceramic_tile_wall_murals_&_backsplash.htm, and visit http://www.lindapaul.com/tile_murals_kitchen_tile_backsplashes.asp for 50% off selected tile murals.
