I want to do a tiled backsplash in my kitchen... but I have found tile to be more expensive than expected!?
Answers:
If you wanted a 60's look in your kitchen you might be able to get away with using vinyl flooring tiles. But not near your stove, excessive heat might react with the glue. If you are trying to cut down on costs why not head to your local flooring store or something like homedepot and see what flooring tiles are on sale. You wouldn't need that many for a full kitchen counter.
What I would do is buy a box of the tile, cost would probably be around 35 dollars. The selection would probably be enought that you could choose something quite shiny so that it would look like ceramic tile.
Now measure your counter to see how many you need. Cut the 12 by 12 tiles in half. This would give you 6 inch high back splash. You could then cut these down even further if you wanted. I know home depot will cut them for you for as little as 50cents per cut. The last bunch I did they cut for free. You can ask them about the mortar and grount you will need. After they are installed you will need to seal them.
Floor tiles are very strong and once sealed they are easy to clean. I have them on my stairs with a number of teenagers running up and down them everyday. No cracks and no stains.
You had a good cost saving idea by using an alternate.
Other answers:
Find a building salvage company. They always have used tile that is pretty inexpensive. Sorry, I live in the Midwest, don't know any So cal places. check business to business phone book usually under "salvage"
Find a building salvage company. They always have used tile that is pretty inexpensive. Sorry, I live in the Midwest, don't know any So cal places. check business to business phone book usually under "salvage"
Go to a discontinued discount store or get the yellow pages for stores that reuse items from when they tear down houses.
They have that linoleum tile that LOOKS like ceramic tile especially made for the walls...it's like the floor tiles you are talking about but one single sheet...you don't want to be putting individual sheets of squares on the wall they will peel back eventually.
Are you sure you can't find cheap tiles? I did my kitchen myself...it probably cost about $300 tops for everything...I guess it depends where you are located and how accessible the tiles are. You can just put laminate up too...it might be cheaper.
OR you can paint the tiles on (Debbie Travis style!) and seal with plastic stuff...can't think of the name now...so water won't damage.
There is a product that is sold in hardware & home improvement stores that looks just like ceramic tile with grout lines, but it is a 4' x 8' sheet of a vinyl type product. There are a variety of designs and colours to choose from and they can be easily cut with a utility knife. Consult the store for appropriate adhesive, usually a good tube of PL200 caulking or something like that, depends on the surface you are sticking it to. Always best to clean and sand the surface so it has 'tooth', meaning it will hold the adhesive better.
I wouldn't go with flooring squares because the size is typically larger than a wall tile, so it will look obvious.
Another alternative, vinyl wallpaper that is designed to look like 3-dimensional backsplash tiles (with grout), not that expensive and looks pretty good!
Once, I painted the backsplash to look like tiles because the object was to do it cheap.Email me if you need help with that.
If you have your heart set on real tiles, go to your local tile shops and ask if they have any discontinued stock, or odds and ends, or broken tile, then you can smash them with a hammer and have fun making your own tile mosaic design, very impressive, and you don't have to worry about perfect lines and corners because its a random pattern !!
Have Fun & Good Luck!! Sandra M ;-)
VERY TACKY!!!! DON'T use vinyl. It will just peel off. Vinyl is not meant for high heat areas. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing it right.
Have you tired "Tile Mile" in Anaheim??? It's off the 55 FWY just south of the 91 FWY. Dozens of tile store with clearance tiles. My personal favorite is Bedrosians near the corner of State College and Ball Road. We got black marble tile for our fireplace for $4.99 per sq.ft. Places like Home Depot charges $15 per sq. ft for similar tiles.
Yes it would be tacky.
dont go for vinyl. they will peel of if the adhesive behind gets wet.
there are chances that the mater may find its way through the gaps between tiles, if vinyl is used in walls.
choose tiles of economical range - chances are there you may not like the colour / design etc.
spending little bit more can get u what u want!
and you ll enjoy your kitchen.