Painted walls in a home built before 1978
In older Highland Park homes, tearing out a backsplash can disturb lead paint. We work lead-safe: plastic sheeting, controlled dust and a careful final cleanup.
Serving Highland Park & nearby Northbrook, Glenview
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Highland Park, IL
Tile backsplashes set straight, grouted clean and finished around every outlet in Highland Park kitchens.
- Serving Highland Park ZIP 60035
- A new look without tearing the kitchen out
- Clean, protected work area every day
Backsplash problems we solve in Highland Park
We install kitchen backsplashes in Highland Park 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.
Dated or cracked tile
When the existing backsplash is worn or simply out of style, we take it down, patch the wall and start fresh.
Grease-prone spot behind the range
Fewer grout joints behind the cooktop mean less to scrub. Large porcelain or a stone slab work well there.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What we do on the job
- Layout and tile selectionHelp choosing tile, grout color and pattern, and a layout planned around the range, sink and windows.
- 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.
- Setting the tileWe set the field tile, the cuts and the details around the window and hood.
- 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 cleanupNatural stone and cement-based grout sealed when needed; the kitchen cleaned.
Finishes we offer
Grout typesGrout is chosen by joint width and location: sanded, unsanded or epoxy.
Subway tileSimple rectangles that work in nearly any kitchen; the pattern changes the look.
Handmade-look and zelligeIrregular tile with depth and shine, set with care for its varying thickness.
Slab backsplashOne continuous piece behind the range or along the whole wall.
Ceramic and porcelain tileThe everyday choice: durable, easy to clean and available in every size, from subway to large panels.
Before and after: kitchens near Highland Park
Before
In progress
After
DetailKitchen Backsplash Installation in a 1960s ranch, Highland Park
A 1960s ranch near Ravinia District, a typical kitchen for Highland Park. The kitchen as it was: yellow 4-inch tile and light beige laminate. The reason for the call: a short 4-inch splash that looked unfinished. After: a white 2x8 tile in a vertical stack backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. On site this meant protection and removal, edges and trim, plus caulk at the counter.
Before
AfterA Northbrook postwar bi-level: before and after
The site: a postwar bi-level near Downtown Northbrook. The kitchen as it was: mint-green 4-inch ceramic tile and laminate with an aluminum edge band. The main complaint was a short 4-inch splash that looked unfinished. Finished kitchen: a white subway tile backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. On site this meant layout and tile selection, protection and removal, plus edges and trim.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Northbrook →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Buffalo Grove
A two-story colonial from the 1990s near Didier Farms, a typical kitchen for Buffalo Grove. The kitchen as it was: white ceramic tile with dark stained grout lines. The main complaint was old tile with stained grout. The result: a gray beveled subway tile backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. The job covered protection and removal, setting the tile, plus caulk at the counter.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Buffalo Grove →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1960s ranch in Highland Park
Warm walnut butcher block countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet.
Countertop Fabrication & Installation in Highland Park →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a postwar Cape Cod in Highland Park
Finished: warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring through the kitchen with clean transitions.
Kitchen Flooring Installation in Highland Park →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 Highland Park homeowners
Can you tile over my existing backsplash?
Occasionally. If the old tile is loose or uneven, it has to come off first.
Can tile go over drywall?
Usually. Painted drywall is cleaned and scuffed or primed; soft or water-damaged spots are cut out and replaced.
What affects the price of a backsplash?
Wall size, the tile you choose, the pattern, how many outlets and cuts there are and whether old tile comes off. We give a written, itemized estimate after the visit.
Should I install the backsplash before or after the counters?
After. The tile sits on the counter, and stone counters are templated without it.
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.
Do I need a Highland Park-registered contractor for backsplash installation?
The City publishes contractor requirements on its Building Division page (new building codes effective March 1, 2026). We take care of that before work starts.
What kind of Highland Park homes do you work in?
In Highland Park we see Ravinia District retains early artists' colony character and architecture. Each comes with its own walls, wiring and plumbing, and we plan the job around them.
Do you work in my part of Highland Park?
Yes. Our crews work across Highland Park, including Ravinia District, Downtown Highland Park, Port Clinton, St. John's — ZIP 60035 — and nearby Northbrook, Glenview, Buffalo Grove.
Working in Highland Park
- A lot of Highland Park kitchens date from the pre-1940. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Highland Park homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Older paint is treated with lead-safe practices: containment, HEPA cleanup and a clean hand-over.
Ravinia DistrictDowntown Highland ParkPort ClintonSt. John's
ZIP 60035
Kitchen Backsplash Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Highland Park
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.