Painted walls in a home built before 1978
If we remove old tile or disturb painted walls in a home built before 1978, we follow EPA lead-safe work practices: containment, dust control and cleanup.
Serving Arlington Heights & nearby Mount Prospect, Palatine
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Arlington Heights, IL
Tile backsplashes set straight, grouted clean and finished around every outlet in Arlington Heights kitchens.
- Crews working in Arlington Heights ZIP 60004, 60005
- Most jobs done in days, with your kitchen still usable
- Samples and a written quote before we start
Backsplash problems we solve in Arlington Heights
A backsplash is a small wall with a lot of cuts. In Arlington Heights we prep the wall, plan the layout so the tile ends evenly at the cabinets and windows, set it level, grout it and finish every edge and outlet so nothing looks patched.
Old 4-inch splash with nothing above
The narrow splash that came with the counters can stay as a base for tile or come off for a full-height look.
Grout stained or cracking
Grout that soaks up stains can be avoided: epoxy or a stain-resistant grout behind the range and sink stays cleaner.
Peel-and-stick that didn't last
If the stick-on backsplash is curling at the edges, it's time for set tile. We take it off and prep the wall properly.
Tile that ends in the wrong place
A backsplash that ends in a tiny strip by the window looks off. We lay it out first and center the pattern where your eye lands.
Bare wall behind the counters
Paint behind a stove never stays clean for long. A tiled backsplash takes the grease and the water and still looks good.
Window or range hood in the middle
Tile around a window needs returns or trim; tile behind a hood often runs to the ceiling. We plan both before starting.
Dated or cracked tile
Old tile in a color you don't like, with cracked pieces and stained grout, is removed and the wall repaired before new tile goes up.
What the work covers
- Protection and removalWe protect the counters, cut power to the outlets and take down the old backsplash.
- Wall repair and prepThe wall is repaired, leveled out and primed so the tile bonds.
- Outlet box extendersReceptacles brought forward to the new surface, with cover plates that fit.
- GroutingJoints filled, tooled and cleaned so the tile face is free of haze.
- Edges and trimFinished ends at open walls, cabinet sides and the ceiling line.
- Caulk at the counterFlexible caulk where tile meets the counter and the cabinets.
- Sealing and cleanupStone and grout sealed if they call for it, then a full cleanup.
Options to choose from
Mosaic and glassSmall tiles on mesh sheets for accents or full walls; glass needs careful setting and unsanded or epoxy grout.
Ceramic and porcelain tileGlazed ceramic and porcelain hold up to heat and grease and come in endless colors.
Natural stoneStone tile looks rich and needs a sealer to resist stains.
Subway tileClassic 3x6 or longer rectangles in a running bond, stacked or herringbone layout.
Handmade-look and zelligeUneven edges and glaze give a hand-crafted look; the layout needs a little more patience.
What the work looks like in Arlington Heights homes
Before
In progress
After
DetailBefore and after: a 1960s ranch in Arlington Heights
This one is a 1960s ranch in Arlington Heights. The kitchen as it was: mint-green 4-inch ceramic tile and laminate with an aluminum edge band. The main complaint was an old 4-inch tile strip that dated the room. The result: a white subway tile backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. The job covered wall repair and prep, grouting, plus edges and trim.
Before
AfterMount Prospect kitchen, 1960s ranch: kitchen backsplash installation
The site: a 1960s ranch in Mount Prospect. The kitchen as it was: speckled laminate. What bothered the owners most: the old laminate lip and bare wall above it. The result: a white 3x12 tile in a stacked pattern backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. Work included protection and removal, wall repair and prep, plus grouting.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Mount Prospect →
Before
AfterA Palatine two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Palatine. Before: white ceramic tile with dark stained grout lines. What bothered the owners most: a backsplash that looked its age. Finished kitchen: a gray beveled subway tile backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. Work included wall repair and prep, outlet box extenders, plus sealing and cleanup.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Palatine →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar Cape Cod in Arlington Heights
White quartz countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet.
Countertop Fabrication & Installation in Arlington Heights →
Before
AfterArlington Heights kitchen, 1960s ranch: kitchen flooring installation
Warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring through the kitchen with clean transitions.
Kitchen Flooring Installation in Arlington Heights →How the job goes
- Pick tile and patternChoose the tile and how it's laid; we figure out the quantity.
- Measure and planA site visit to check the wall and lay out the pattern on paper.
- Prep and setOld splash off, wall flattened, tile on the wall.
- Grout and finishGrout, caulk, trim, cover plates and cleanup, usually the next day.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation questions from Arlington Heights homeowners
What is the easiest backsplash to keep clean?
Fewer joints and a glazed surface: big porcelain tile, a slab or subway with epoxy grout.
How long does a backsplash installation take?
Usually a couple of days. Larger walls, mosaics or stone add time.
Can tile go over drywall?
Yes. Sound, flat drywall is a fine base for a kitchen backsplash once it is clean and primed.
Do you move outlets or add under-cabinet lighting?
Box extenders, yes. Any new or moved electrical is done before tiling, so no tile needs cutting later.
Which grout should I use?
It depends on the joint width and the tile. Glass and polished stone often call for unsanded or epoxy grout to avoid scratches.
Arlington Heights contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
The Village of Arlington Heights contractor license number must be listed on permit applications; homeowners doing their own work file a Homeowner as General Contractor form. We take care of that before work starts.
Can you do backsplash installation in an Arlington Heights condo?
Associations usually set rules for work hours, elevators, deliveries and insurance, and many require approval for plumbing, electrical or structural changes. We provide the certificate of insurance and follow the building's rules.
Do I need a permit for backsplash installation in Arlington Heights?
It depends on the scope. Arlington Heights's rule in short: Remodel permit applications (shown here via a basement remodel checklist dated 2020) require a building permit application, plans and a contractor proposal; plumbing and electrical permit applications are added if applicable. We handle the permit when one is needed with Building & Life Safety Department.
Do you work in my part of Arlington Heights?
Yes. Our crews work across Arlington Heights — ZIP 60004, 60005 — and nearby Mount Prospect, Palatine, Buffalo Grove.
Working in Arlington Heights
- A lot of Arlington Heights kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Condo or townhome? We follow association rules on work hours and elevators and bring the insurance certificate your board asks for.
- We know how Building & Life Safety Department handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60004ZIP 60005
Kitchen Backsplash Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Arlington Heights
Countertop Fabrication & InstallationQuartz, granite and butcher block, templated and installed.
Kitchen Tile & Grout RepairCracked tiles swapped, loose tiles reset and tired grout redone.
Kitchen Flooring InstallationKitchen flooring: LVP, tile and hardwood.
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.