Dated or cracked tile
Cracked tiles and grout that never comes clean are a sign to replace the backsplash, not patch it.
Serving Buffalo Grove & nearby Arlington Heights, Palatine
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Buffalo Grove, IL
Tile backsplashes set straight, grouted clean and finished around every outlet in Buffalo Grove kitchens.
- Serving Buffalo Grove ZIP 60089
- A new look without tearing the kitchen out
- Clean, protected work area every day
Backsplash problems we solve in Buffalo Grove
A backsplash is a small wall with a lot of cuts. In Buffalo Grove 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.
Uneven wall surface
Wavy walls make tile edges catch the light unevenly. We skim or patch the wall flat before setting, especially for large-format tile.
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.
Grout stained or cracking
Cracked grout near the counter usually means the joint wasn't caulked. We use flexible caulk where tile meets the counter and grout everywhere else.
Grease-prone spot behind the range
The wall behind the stove takes the most grease. A tile with low porosity and fewer joints keeps cleaning easy.
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.
Peel-and-stick that didn't last
Vinyl stick-on panels don't like heat and steam. We pull them, repair the paint and drywall face and tile the wall.
Tile that ends in the wrong place
Thin slivers of tile at the corners and edges come from no layout. We plan the pattern so cuts are even and hidden where possible.
What we do on the job
- 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.
- Setting the tileTile set level from a straight starting line, with spacers for even joints.
- 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.
- Sealing and cleanupNatural stone and cement-based grout sealed when needed; the kitchen cleaned.
Options to choose from
Ceramic and porcelain tileThe everyday choice: durable, easy to clean and available in every size, from subway to large panels.
Subway tileClassic 3x6 or longer rectangles in a running bond, stacked or herringbone layout.
Grout typesGrout is chosen by joint width and location: sanded, unsanded or epoxy.
Slab backsplashOne continuous piece behind the range or along the whole wall.
Natural stoneMarble, travertine and slate tiles bring natural variation; they need sealing.
Kitchens like yours in Buffalo Grove: before and after
Before
In progress
After
DetailA Buffalo Grove two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
A two-story colonial from the 1990s near Didier Farms, a typical kitchen for Buffalo Grove. What we started with: white ceramic tile with dark stained grout lines. The main complaint was a backsplash that looked its age. The result: a gray beveled subway tile backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. On site this meant protection and removal, grouting, plus caulk at the counter.
Before
AfterAn Arlington Heights 1960s ranch: before and after
A 1960s ranch in Arlington Heights, a typical kitchen for Arlington Heights. What we started with: mint-green 4-inch ceramic tile and laminate with an aluminum edge band. What bothered the owners most: a short 4-inch splash that looked unfinished. The result: a white subway tile backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. The job covered grouting, edges and trim, plus sealing and cleanup.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Arlington Heights →
Before
AfterA Lake Zurich 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
The site: a 1990s two-story colonial in Lake Zurich. What we started with: almond laminate with a backsplash lip. What bothered the owners most: the old laminate lip and bare wall above it. Finished kitchen: a terracotta-look square tile backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. Work included protection and removal, grouting, plus caulk at the counter.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Lake Zurich →
Before
AfterBuffalo Grove kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: countertop fabrication & installation
Black honed granite countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet.
Countertop Fabrication & Installation in Buffalo Grove →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in Buffalo Grove
Hickory luxury vinyl plank flooring through the kitchen with clean transitions.
Kitchen Flooring Installation in Buffalo Grove →How your backsplash installation 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 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 Buffalo Grove homeowners
Can you install a backsplash in the bathroom too?
We do. Adding a bathroom vanity backsplash during the kitchen job is common.
Which grout should I use?
Narrow joints get unsanded grout, wider joints sanded, and busy spots behind the sink and range can get epoxy.
Can you tile over my existing backsplash?
Sometimes, if the old tile is solid and flat and the added thickness works with the outlets and the trim. Often removing it gives a better result.
How long does a backsplash installation take?
Usually a couple of days. Larger walls, mosaics or stone add time.
Do you move outlets or add under-cabinet lighting?
We extend outlet boxes for the new tile. Relocating outlets or adding new circuits for lighting is wiring work we schedule before the tile goes up.
Which Buffalo Grove homes do you most often see for backsplash installation?
In Buffalo Grove we see Early post-Korean War single-family homes, some about 1,000 sq ft. Each comes with its own walls, wiring and plumbing, and we plan the job around them.
Buffalo Grove contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
All contractors working in the Village must register annually; $75 per trade, no fee for state-licensed contractors. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for backsplash installation in Buffalo Grove?
It depends on the scope. Buffalo Grove's rule in short: Permit required to replace or modify a kitchen, including replacing cabinetry; replacing a sink or faucet needs a plumbing permit even in the same location; electrical must meet the 2017 NEC. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services.
Do you work in my part of Buffalo Grove?
Yes. Our crews work across Buffalo Grove, including The Highlands, Green Knolls, Windfield, Didier Farms — ZIP 60089 — and nearby Arlington Heights, Palatine, Lake Zurich.
Working in Buffalo Grove
- A lot of Buffalo Grove kitchens date from the 1980s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Buffalo Grove homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
The HighlandsGreen KnollsWindfieldDidier Farms
ZIP 60089
Kitchen Backsplash Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Buffalo Grove
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.