Kitchen and bathroom backsplashes enhance your home decor and provide many benefits. It prevents water damage and makes the cleaning process easy.
Tiling the backsplash also increases the value of your house. After a prolonged period, you might get bored of seeing the same backsplashes.
Over time, the tiles will start getting old. So, you plan to change the backsplash, but the project becomes complex when you remove the old tile and the tile adhesive from the backsplash.
Many homeowners ask whether they can lay a self-adhesive backsplash over existing tiles. If you are also searching for information about installing adhesive backsplash over tile, this blog is for you!
Yes, you can put an adhesive backsplash over the tiles. This would make most homeowners happy, as they don’t have to spend time and effort removing the tiles. Instead, you lay peel-and-stick tiles over them. Before installing the self-adhesive tiles, prepare the surface to form a strong and durable adhesion.
Adhesive Backsplash: Peel-and-Stick Tiles
Peel-and-stick or self-adhesive tiles have become popular when laying tiles on the backsplash. Many homeowners trying to DIY the tile installation process intend to choose these self-adhesive tiles.
The stick-on backsplash tiles come with an adhesive backing. You can peel off the backing and paste the tile to the prepared substrate.
Following are some pros and cons of installing self-adhesive tile backsplashes:
Pros
- The installation process is easy and quick.
- If you minimize the tiling project’s cost, peel-and-stick tiles will be perfect.
- Installing a self-adhesive tile backsplash is less messy, and only a few tools are required.
- Removing this stick-on backsplash is easy and will not damage the wall. Therefore, you can use the peel-and-stick tiles as a temporary makeover to enhance the kitchen or bathroom decor.
Cons
- Less durable when compared to real tiles. These stick-on tiles may last around 5 to 25 years, depending on the installation and maintenance. In most cases, the durability of peel-and-stick backsplashes is less than that of real tile backsplashes.
- You cannot expect similar quality from real tile backsplashes. These self-adhesive tiles are lower quality than real tiles. However, they are worth the cost.
Can You Install Adhesive Backsplash Over Existing Tiles?
You might have come across peel-and-stick backsplashes. There are different patterns of self-adhesive tiles, so you can select a suitable adhesive backsplash tile that matches the interior decor.
Preparing the wall is an essential step before installing an adhesive backsplash. If your kitchen or bathroom backsplash is tiled with real tiles, do you need to remove them before installing self-adhesive tiles?
Removing the existing tiles before installing the adhesive backsplash is not mandatory. Instead, you can tile over them. However, there are certain factors that you need to check before laying an adhesive backsplash over the tiles.
Following are some of those factors:
- Ensure that you check on the condition of our existing backsplash. If it is very old and in poor condition, it will impact the durability of the new adhesive tiles installed over it.
- Purchase a good-quality adhesive backsplash that will stick firmly to the existing tiles.
- Choose a suitable shape of self-adhesive when tiling over the existing tiles. Sometimes hexagonal shapes might not work well, so test by installing one or two tiles.
How to Lay Adhesive Backsplash Over Tiles
Knowing how to install an adhesive backsplash over existing tiles is crucial. You can follow the instructions below for proper adhesion between the existing tiles and the adhesive backsplash.
Step 1: Leveling the surface
If the existing tiled backsplash is uneven, use a leveling compound to make it even.
This is because any imperfection on the surface will show up once you start installing the adhesive backsplash on it. Also, make sure the gaps between the tiles are filled.
Step 2: Cleaning the Surface
Dirt and dust will weaken the adhesion. Therefore, clean the surface well. For better adhesion, wash the surface and the grout using grease remover.
If you don’t have grease remover at home, you can prepare it using baking soda, lemon juice, and vinegar.
Step 3: Installing Adhesive Backsplash
Once the backsplash is cleaned and dried, you start the installation process. Carefully measure the surface and plan the installation.
Then you can begin laying the adhesive backsplash over the tiles after peeling off the backing. Cut the edge tiles using a cutter or scissors and align them properly.
Note: For better adhesion, you may add adhesives like gorilla glue. In contrast, as you are leaning over existing tiles, it is best to stick self-adhesive tiles directly on them. Additional glue may damage the existing surface.
Benefits of Installing Peel-and-Stick Backsplash Over Existing Tiles
Following are a few benefits of installing an adhesive backsplash over the tiles:
- You don’t have to experience the struggle of removing old tile and the tile adhesive from the wall.
- Since you can install these stick-on tiles over the existing tiles, it saves time.
- You can renew the look of the backsplash at a low cost.
- The installation process is less messy and will not damage the wall.
Final Thoughts
Now you might understand whether putting an adhesive backsplash over tiles is possible. Self-adhesive backsplash tiles adhere to different surfaces, including tiles.
Therefore, you can install them over the existing tiles. This will help transform our kitchen without any hassle or mess.
To obtain a long-lasting installation, follow the instructions in the blog when laying the stick-on tiles.
For more exciting information about backsplash tiling, you can check out our recent blog on “best adhesive for glass tile backsplash.”
FAQs
Can You Paint Over Tile Backsplash?
Yes, you can paint over a tiled backsplash. This is an affordable method of changing up the backsplash.
In contrast, any imperfections or cracks on the tiles will not get covered when you paint over them.
How Long Will the Peel-and-Stick Tile Last When You Install It Over Existing Tiles?
In general, stick-on tiles last from five to twenty-five years.
Laying self-adhesive tiles over existing tiles will last a few years, depending on the existing tiles installation, maintenance, and condition.
These stick-on tiles are considered a temporary option.
Are Self-Adhesive Backsplash Tiles Waterproof?
Yes, most of the stick-on backsplash tiles are lightweight and waterproof.