Outlets sunk behind the tile
Outlets recessed behind new tile are a common shortcut. We use box extenders so receptacles and covers sit flush with the finished surface.
Serving Carol Stream & nearby Glendale Heights, Winfield
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Carol Stream, IL
Tile backsplashes set straight, grouted clean and finished around every outlet in Carol Stream kitchens.
- Crews working in Carol Stream ZIP 60188
- Most jobs done in days, with your kitchen still usable
- Samples and a written quote before we start
Backsplash problems we solve in Carol Stream
A backsplash is a small wall with a lot of cuts. In Carol Stream 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.
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.
Uneven wall surface
Bumps and dips in the drywall show through as lipped tile. Flattening the wall first is part of our prep.
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.
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.
Bare wall behind the counters
Painted drywall behind the sink and range picks up splashes and grease. A tile backsplash wipes clean and protects the wall.
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.
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.
What's included
- Layout and tile selectionHelp choosing tile, grout color and pattern, and a layout planned around the range, sink and windows.
- Protection and removalCounters and cabinets covered, outlets shut off, old tile or splash removed.
- Wall repair and prepThe wall is repaired, leveled out and primed so the tile bonds.
- Setting the tileTile set level from a straight starting line, with spacers for even joints.
- GroutingJoints filled, tooled and cleaned so the tile face is free of haze.
- 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.
Materials and finishes
Handmade-look and zelligeUneven edges and glaze give a hand-crafted look; the layout needs a little more patience.
Ceramic and porcelain tileGlazed ceramic and porcelain hold up to heat and grease and come in endless colors.
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.
Natural stoneMarble, travertine and slate tiles bring natural variation; they need sealing.
Kitchens like yours in Carol Stream: before and after
Before
In progress
After
DetailBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Carol Stream
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Carol Stream. Before: white ceramic tile with dark stained grout lines. What bothered the owners most: old tile with stained grout. The result: a gray beveled subway tile backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. Work included wall repair and prep, setting the tile, plus caulk at the counter.
Before
AfterA Winfield two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Winfield. 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. On site this meant layout and tile selection, wall repair and prep, plus grouting.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Winfield →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Bloomingdale
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s near Old Town Bloomingdale. The kitchen as it was: blue-and-white decorative tile accent and white Corian-style solid surface with a yellowed seam. What bothered the owners most: a dated tile pattern they were tired of. The result: a white 2x8 tile in a vertical stack backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. On site this meant setting the tile, grouting, plus sealing and cleanup.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Bloomingdale →
Before
AfterA Carol Stream 1980s two-story: before and after
Finished: warm walnut butcher block countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet.
Countertop Fabrication & Installation in Carol Stream →
Before
AfterKitchen Flooring Installation in a 1980s two-story, Carol Stream
Finished: hickory luxury vinyl plank flooring through the kitchen with clean transitions.
Kitchen Flooring Installation in Carol Stream →Day by day
- Pick tile and patternBring samples or ideas; we help you choose tile, grout color and layout.
- 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 finishGrout, caulk, trim, cover plates and cleanup, usually the next day.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation questions from Carol Stream homeowners
What is the easiest backsplash to keep clean?
Glazed porcelain, a slab or anything with fewer grout lines; textured stone and handmade tile take more care.
How high should the backsplash go?
Under the cabinets, the full gap. Behind a range hood or on open shelving walls, often all the way up.
Can tile go over drywall?
For a backsplash, yes. Drywall works well away from direct water; we repair any damaged areas first.
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?
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.
Can you do backsplash installation in a Carol Stream 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 Carol Stream?
It depends on the scope. Carol Stream's rule in short: Permit required for most remodeling; exempt only if no structural change and no alteration or relocation of plumbing, heating or electrical; fixture swaps without piping changes are exempt. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department, Building Permits & Inspections.
Do you work in my part of Carol Stream?
Yes. Our crews work across Carol Stream — ZIP 60188 — and nearby Glendale Heights, Winfield, Bloomingdale.
Working in Carol Stream
- A lot of Carol Stream kitchens date from the 1980s. 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 Community Development Department, Building Permits & Inspections handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60188
Kitchen Backsplash Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Carol Stream
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.