The Nugget: Installing a Tile Backsplash and How to Perfectly Cut Penny Tile
Dudes! We are overhauling a 1972 Bell Travel Trailer! Follow the entire series from the beginning here!
*This Nugget project is sponsored by The Home Depot (thanks guys!)
Now that we have gotten the semi-boring out of the way (demo, rebuilding, prepping for paint) we can start work on the fun stuff! The stuff that you can actually see!!
Up first is tile. Backsplash penny tile to be exact. I am completely obsessed with this line of colorful penny tile that HomeDepot.com sells. (Sometimes I forget that they have so many amazing things online!)
I spent hours trying to pick my favorite, and ultimately ended up with Merola Tile’s Penny Round Light Green.
I love how they have a little ring on the outside that the color doesn’t cover, it gives it some really cool dimension.
We ordered 2 boxes, but, I think could have gotten away with one if we would have applied the Oregon Trail method of rationing.
I researched the crap out of installing tile in a trailer and the majority of the info that I could find said that it would be fine. But I was still a little nervous, so I called my friends over at Jim’s RV and asked them 1. if it was possible and 2. if they had ever done it. The answer was yes on both counts. (Insert happy dance…but not to Happy, because that song makes me stabby.)
The most important info that I gathered was to make sure that the surface that you are installing the tile onto is solid. The paneling that made up the interior walls? Not solid. It was like 3/16 of an inch thick. Definitely not sturdy enough to hold the weight of the tile.
Off to Home Depot I went to pick the brains of the guys who know best. They recommended installing cement board onto the walls and using thinset and grout that had flex in it (we will get into product specifics in a bit)
We measured and cut the cement board to fit the walls.
To make sure that it was nice and secured to the wall paneling, we put down Liquid Nails before we put the cement board up.
Then we screwed it onto the studs.
The biggest concern with tiling a trailer is obviously the movement that happens. No one wants to get to their destination and open the door to find their backsplash hanging out on the countertop. The guys at Home Depot recommended FlexBond Crack Prevention Mortar, it is rated with thumbs up for use in areas that have a lot of earthquake activity and ground movement. It is a little more expensive than regular thinset, but totally worth it. It was pretty crazy to see how much flex it had when we were cleaning up, It was most definitely the right choice.
This is the first time that I have ever laid tile, and I must say, I sort of loved it!
Step 1: Spread the FlexBond (not pictured, the moment I had to take over because Court was trying to make it perfect and I just couldn’t deal.)
Step 2: Place your tile. I used a box cutter to trim the excess.
Step 3: Snip and fill in all of the little pieces.
So here is the deal. Cutting Penny Tile is not hard, but it is a little confusing. It is too teeny to use a tile saw, that basically leaves you with the option of Tile Nippers. I cant even begin to tell you how many tiles we broke before we figured out a method to the madness (we tried a few techniques like
Place your nippers so that they cover 1/3 of your tile. No more than 1/3.
Squeeze.
That is it. Its all about the nipper placement.
Also? A video for those that like to see things in action!
Around the window we left the tiles on the sheets and nipped them while they were attached.
After we filled in all the little spots with our 1/2 tiles we let it set for 24 hours.
Then it was time to grout! The grout that I chose was premixed Simple Grout in Natural Gray. Its a really good medium concrete gray color.
Using a foam float (like this one) spread the grout onto the tile. I will admit, this part had a little bit of self talk that went something like this “Mand. Don’t screw this up. Seriously. Court will never forgive you.”
The technique is simple. Glob and spread. Make sure that you are getting in every crack, taking off as much excess as you can.
Then really quickly use a damp sponge to gently wipe off all of the extra. There will be lots of rinsing involved!
PSA: I learned the hard way was that you need to wipe off every.thing. Don’t leave any water spots behind, because they are really hard to get off after they dry.
I am so in love with this green tile. It adds the perfect updated retro vibe to the little kitchen! Makes me want to penny tile bomb the entire city of St. George.
I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in the vintage trailer overhaul (the “Program”). As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.
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