Kitchen Backsplash issues

9 years ago

Hello everyone, I recently went to a tile store to get a design done for my backsplash. I think we have decided on a 3x6 tumbled stone tile with 1x1 decorative pieces to add accents. Now the woman at the store said we could stack the tile tightly and not have to use a grout, now I've never heard of doing that and did some research and haven't seen anything backing what she said. Although they did say they have done it like that before and have had no issues, I just don't to put all this time and money into a backsplash only to have issues later on. Thank you for your help!

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Comments (4)

User
9 years ago
No. To all of this. No tumbled stone of any kind, and no groutless installation.
Ryan Fenstermaker
Original Author
9 years ago
Why no tumbled stone? This is similar to what they were showing us and after looking online I've seen plenty of other backsplashes with similar tile.
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acm
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I have stacked stone with groutless installation.

New Kitchen 2016 -- wall 3 after · More Info

The main challenge will be your installers -- they have to be very careful to handle each sheet, and sometimes individual pieces, so that it all fits tight and doesn't have seams (between sheets) or other large cracks. And I think you'll still want caulk along the counter, at least close to the sink where otherwise water could get through. And then the whole thing needs proper sealing.

But I will admit that I totally fell for this tile and designed my kitchen around it, while being completely honest to myself about the fact that I might be replacing some of it after a couple of years if things didn't work out. So, um, check back in a couple of years about whether I've still got an extra box of this hidden in a closet!
Ryan Fenstermaker
Original Author
9 years ago
I really like the look of that backsplash!

I wish these tiles came in sheets, they are all single pieces so I think that will be my largest issue. I was going to install it myself and since the tumbled stone doesn't have smooth edges I'm thinking that grout will be the safest bet. And yes I was also planning on doing a bead of chaulk where the tile meets the countertop as well.