Plaster walls in an older home
Old plaster can be wavy and patched many times. We test it, repair weak spots and flatten the surface so the tile lines stay straight.
Serving Berwyn & nearby Oak Park, Chicago
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Berwyn, IL
Tile backsplashes set straight, grouted clean and finished around every outlet in Berwyn kitchens.
- Crews working in Berwyn ZIP 60402
- Most jobs done in days, with your kitchen still usable
- Samples and a written quote before we start
Backsplash problems we solve in Berwyn
Most of the work in a good backsplash happens before the first tile goes up. Our Berwyn tile setters flatten the wall, extend the outlet boxes and lay out the pattern, then set and grout subway, mosaic, stone or porcelain tile.
Painted walls in a home built before 1978
In older Berwyn homes, tearing out a backsplash can disturb lead paint. We work lead-safe: plastic sheeting, controlled dust and a careful final cleanup.
Peel-and-stick that didn't last
Peel-and-stick tiles lift near the stove and bubble behind the sink. We remove them, clean the adhesive off the wall and install real tile.
Uneven wall surface
Large tiles need a flat wall. We fill low spots and grind high ones so the face of the backsplash reads as one plane.
Awkward edges and ends
Raw tile edges at the ends look unfinished. Trim pieces or a slim metal profile give the backsplash a clean stop.
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.
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.
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.
What's included
- Layout and tile selectionWe pick the pattern and the starting point with you before ordering material.
- Protection and removalWe protect the counters, cut power to the outlets and take down the old backsplash.
- Wall repair and prepDrywall or plaster patched and flattened, cement board where the wall needs it.
- Outlet box extendersExtender rings so outlets and switches sit flush with the tile face.
- 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.
- Sealing and cleanupNatural stone and cement-based grout sealed when needed; the kitchen cleaned.
Finishes we offer
Ceramic and porcelain tileThe everyday choice: durable, easy to clean and available in every size, from subway to large panels.
Handmade-look and zelligeIrregular tile with depth and shine, set with care for its varying thickness.
Grout typesUnsanded for narrow joints, sanded for wider ones, epoxy where stain resistance matters most.
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.
Kitchens like yours in Berwyn: before and after
Before
In progress
After
DetailKitchen Backsplash Installation in a brick bungalow from the 1920s, Berwyn
The site: a brick bungalow from the 1920s in Berwyn. The kitchen as it was: 4-inch pink ceramic tile and worn beige laminate with a metal edge strip. The main complaint was a short 4-inch splash that looked unfinished. Finished kitchen: a gray beveled subway tile backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. The job covered protection and removal, wall repair and prep, plus outlet box extenders.
Before
AfterOak Brook kitchen, 1970s tract home: kitchen backsplash installation
The site: a 1970s tract home in Oak Brook. What we started with: patterned wallpaper and harvest-gold laminate. The reason for the call: a bare wall that never stayed clean. After: a white 3x12 tile in a stacked pattern backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. The job covered protection and removal, grouting, plus edges and trim.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Oak Brook →
Before
AfterAn Elmhurst 1950s ranch: before and after
The site: a 1950s ranch in Elmhurst. What we started with: 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. Work included layout and tile selection, grouting, plus sealing and cleanup.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Elmhurst →
Before
AfterCountertop Fabrication & Installation in a brick bungalow from the 1920s, Berwyn
Black honed granite countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet.
Countertop Fabrication & Installation in Berwyn →
Before
AfterBerwyn kitchen, prewar foursquare: kitchen flooring installation
Finished: black-and-white checkerboard tile flooring through the kitchen with clean transitions.
Kitchen Flooring Installation in Berwyn →How the job goes
- 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 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 Berwyn homeowners
How long does a backsplash installation take?
A typical kitchen often takes one to three days: prep and setting first, grout after the thin-set cures.
Which grout should I use?
Unsanded for joints under about an eighth of an inch, sanded for wider ones and epoxy where you want maximum stain resistance.
Can you tile over my existing backsplash?
It's possible over well-bonded tile, but outlets, edges and cabinet gaps get trickier. We'll tell you which is better for your wall.
Do I need to seal my backsplash?
Natural stone tile and cement-based grout benefit from sealing; glazed ceramic and porcelain tile don't need it. Epoxy grout doesn't either.
What is the easiest backsplash to keep clean?
Large glazed tiles or a slab with few grout joints. Epoxy grout helps too.
Which Berwyn homes do you most often see for backsplash installation?
In Berwyn we see Chicago-style brick bungalows, Duplexes and three-unit buildings and Larger homes on south side. Each comes with its own walls, wiring and plumbing, and we plan the job around them.
Berwyn contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
Contractors must be licensed and bonded with Berwyn; $10,000 surety bond and liability insurance naming the City per license (per licensing form. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for backsplash installation in Berwyn?
It depends on the scope. Berwyn's rule in short: City permit list includes any kitchen and bathroom remodeling, all electrical work, and plumbing/sewer work (faucet or toilet replacement excluded). We handle the permit when one is needed with Building Department, City of Berwyn.
Do you work in my part of Berwyn?
Yes. Our crews work across Berwyn, including South Berwyn, South Oak Park area, Depot District, LaVergne — ZIP 60402 — and nearby Oak Park, Chicago, Oak Brook.
Working in Berwyn
- Most Berwyn homes are prewar. We work around plaster walls, radiators and out-of-square rooms every week.
- Most Berwyn homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Live in the Central Berwyn Bungalow Historic District? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
South BerwynSouth Oak Park areaDepot DistrictLaVergneOgden Avenue
ZIP 60402
Kitchen Backsplash Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Berwyn
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.