Old 4-inch splash with nothing above
A short stone or laminate lip with bare wall above looks unfinished. We can tile over or above it, or remove it and run tile down to the counter.
Serving Aurora & nearby Batavia, Warrenville
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Aurora, IL
Tile backsplashes set straight, grouted clean and finished around every outlet in Aurora kitchens.
- Crews working in Aurora ZIP 60506, 60502, 60505, 60504, 60503
- Most jobs done in days, with your kitchen still usable
- Samples and a written quote before we start
Backsplash problems we solve in Aurora
We install kitchen backsplashes in Aurora from start to finish: old tile or laminate off, wall repaired, layout centered on the range or sink, tile set and grouted, and the joint at the counter sealed with caulk.
Grease-prone spot behind the range
Behind the range we often suggest a full-height feature, a larger tile or a slab panel with fewer grout lines to clean.
Window or range hood in the middle
A window over the sink and a hood over the range break up the wall. We plan the layout around both so the pattern lines up on each side.
Outlets sunk behind the tile
Sunken switches and cover plates that don't sit flat look sloppy. Box extenders bring them out to the face of the tile.
Grout stained or cracking
Dark, stained or cracking grout behind the sink is often a wrong grout choice. We match sanded, unsanded or epoxy grout to the tile and the spot.
Tile that ends in the wrong place
Good layout puts full tiles at the focal points and balanced cuts at the ends. We dry-plan it before setting anything.
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.
Uneven wall surface
Bumps and dips in the drywall show through as lipped tile. Flattening the wall first is part of our prep.
What the work covers
- Layout and tile selectionWe pick the pattern and the starting point with you before ordering material.
- Protection and removalCounters and cabinets covered, outlets shut off, old tile or splash removed.
- Wall repair and prepDrywall or plaster patched and flattened, cement board where the wall needs it.
- Setting the tileWe set the field tile, the cuts and the details around the window and hood.
- GroutingSanded, unsanded or epoxy grout chosen for the tile and joint width.
- Edges and trimFinished ends at open walls, cabinet sides and the ceiling line.
- Caulk at the counterThe counter joint and inside corners sealed with caulk, not grout.
Materials and finishes
Natural stoneStone tile looks rich and needs a sealer to resist stains.
Handmade-look and zelligeUneven edges and glaze give a hand-crafted look; the layout needs a little more patience.
Slab backsplashOne continuous piece behind the range or along the whole wall.
Grout typesGrout is chosen by joint width and location: sanded, unsanded or epoxy.
Mosaic and glassSmall tiles on mesh sheets for accents or full walls; glass needs careful setting and unsanded or epoxy grout.
What the work looks like in Aurora homes
Before
In progress
After
DetailAurora kitchen, 1980s two-story: kitchen backsplash installation
The site: a 1980s two-story near Riddle Highlands. What we started with: almond laminate with a backsplash lip. The reason for the call: a laminate backsplash that dated the kitchen. Finished kitchen: a terracotta-look square tile backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. The job covered wall repair and prep, setting the tile, plus grouting.
Before
AfterKitchen Backsplash Installation in a 1990s two-story colonial, Batavia
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial in Batavia. The kitchen as it was: blue-and-white decorative tile accent and white Corian-style solid surface with a yellowed seam. The main complaint was a busy backsplash that clashed with the new look. Finished kitchen: a white 2x8 tile in a vertical stack backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. Work included wall repair and prep, setting the tile, plus grouting.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Batavia →
Before
AfterA Naperville two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s near Highlands. The kitchen as it was: white ceramic tile with dark stained grout lines. The main complaint was a backsplash that looked its age. After: a gray beveled subway tile backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. The job covered layout and tile selection, wall repair and prep, plus setting the tile.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Naperville →
Before
AfterAn Aurora 1980s two-story: before and after
Dark soapstone-look quartz countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet.
Countertop Fabrication & Installation in Aurora →
Before
AfterAurora kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: kitchen flooring installation
Finished: warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring through the kitchen with clean transitions.
Kitchen Flooring Installation in Aurora →Day by day
- Pick tile and patternBring samples or ideas; we help you choose tile, grout color and layout.
- Measure and planWe measure the wall, mark outlets and windows and plan where the cuts fall.
- Prep and setWall repaired, outlets extended and tile set — often in a day or two for a typical kitchen.
- Grout and finishJoints filled, edges trimmed, counter line caulked and the room cleaned.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation questions from Aurora homeowners
What is the easiest backsplash to keep clean?
Large glazed tiles or a slab with few grout joints. Epoxy grout helps too.
Should I install the backsplash before or after the counters?
Counters first, then the backsplash, so the tile lands on the finished surface.
Can you install a backsplash in the bathroom too?
Yes — vanity backsplashes and bathroom accent walls are set the same way and can be done in the same visit.
How long does a backsplash installation take?
Most backsplashes are set one day and grouted the next; wall repairs or demo can add a day.
Do you move outlets or add under-cabinet lighting?
Extenders are part of our install. Moving outlets or wiring under-cabinet lights is planned first so the tile goes up once.
Aurora contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
Contractors must be registered/licensed with the City (application, required testing if applicable, proof of insurance naming the City as additional insured). Homeowners may act as own contractor if owner-occupied 6+ months with a Homeowner Liability Waiver. We take care of that before work starts.
What kind of Aurora homes do you work in?
In Aurora we see Victorian, Prairie School, Sears catalog homes and Lustron steel houses. Each comes with its own walls, wiring and plumbing, and we plan the job around them.
Do I need a permit for backsplash installation in Aurora?
It depends on the scope. Aurora's rule in short: Interior remodels, structural changes and interior plumbing always need a permit; electrical/mechanical may. We handle the permit when one is needed with Division of Building and Permits, City of Aurora.
Do you work in my part of Aurora?
Yes. Our crews work across Aurora, including Near Eastside, Tanner, Riddle Highlands, Palace Street — ZIP 60506, 60502, 60505, 60504, 60503 — and nearby Batavia, Warrenville, Naperville.
Working in Aurora
- A lot of Aurora kitchens date from the 1990s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Aurora homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Live in a historic district? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
Near EastsideTannerRiddle HighlandsPalace StreetWest SideFar East Side
ZIP 60506ZIP 60502ZIP 60505ZIP 60504ZIP 60503
Kitchen Backsplash Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Aurora
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.