Painted walls in a home built before 1978
If we remove old tile or disturb painted walls in a home built before 1978, we follow EPA lead-safe work practices: containment, dust control and cleanup.
Serving Northbrook & nearby Glenview, Highland Park
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Northbrook, IL
Tile backsplashes set straight, grouted clean and finished around every outlet in Northbrook kitchens.
- Crews working in Northbrook ZIP 60062
- Most jobs done in days, with your kitchen still usable
- Samples and a written quote before we start
Backsplash problems we solve in Northbrook
Most of the work in a good backsplash happens before the first tile goes up. Our Northbrook tile setters flatten the wall, extend the outlet boxes and lay out the pattern, then set and grout subway, mosaic, stone or porcelain 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
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.
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.
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.
Bare wall behind the counters
If the wall above the counter is just paint, every spatter shows. Tile gives it a surface you can scrub.
Window or range hood in the middle
Tile around a window needs returns or trim; tile behind a hood often runs to the ceiling. We plan both before starting.
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 removalCounters and cabinets covered, outlets shut off, old tile or splash removed.
- Outlet box extendersExtender rings so outlets and switches sit flush with the tile face.
- Setting the tileWe set the field tile, the cuts and the details around the window and hood.
- GroutingJoints filled, tooled and cleaned so the tile face is free of haze.
- Edges and trimBullnose, pencil liner or a metal profile where the tile ends.
- Sealing and cleanupStone and grout sealed if they call for it, then a full cleanup.
Options to choose from
Handmade-look and zelligeUneven edges and glaze give a hand-crafted look; the layout needs a little more patience.
Natural stoneMarble, travertine and slate tiles bring natural variation; they need sealing.
Subway tileSimple rectangles that work in nearly any kitchen; the pattern changes the look.
Mosaic and glassMosaics add texture; glass tile reflects light and shows thin-set through if set poorly.
Grout typesUnsanded for narrow joints, sanded for wider ones, epoxy where stain resistance matters most.
Before and after: kitchens near Northbrook
Before
In progress
After
DetailNorthbrook kitchen, postwar bi-level: kitchen backsplash installation
This one is a postwar bi-level near Downtown Northbrook. What we started with: mint-green 4-inch ceramic tile and laminate with an aluminum edge band. The reason for the call: an old 4-inch tile strip that dated the room. Finished kitchen: a white subway tile backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. The job covered layout and tile selection, grouting, plus edges and trim.
Before
AfterHighland Park kitchen, 1950s ranch: kitchen backsplash installation
A 1950s ranch near St. John's, a typical kitchen for Highland Park. The kitchen as it was: yellow 4-inch tile and light beige laminate. The reason for the call: an old 4-inch tile strip that dated the room. The result: a white 2x8 tile in a vertical stack backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. The job covered layout and tile selection, protection and removal, plus sealing and cleanup.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Highland Park →
Before
AfterMount Prospect kitchen, postwar bi-level: kitchen backsplash installation
This one is a postwar bi-level in Mount Prospect. Before: speckled laminate. What bothered the owners most: a laminate backsplash that dated the kitchen. After: a white 3x12 tile in a stacked pattern backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. On site this meant layout and tile selection, setting the tile, plus grouting.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Mount Prospect →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1950s ranch in Northbrook
Finished: white quartz with soft gray veining countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet.
Countertop Fabrication & Installation in Northbrook →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1950s ranch in Northbrook
What changed: gray wood-look porcelain plank flooring through the kitchen with clean transitions.
Kitchen Flooring Installation in Northbrook →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 finishJoints filled, edges trimmed, counter line caulked and the room cleaned.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation questions from Northbrook homeowners
What is the easiest backsplash to keep clean?
Large glazed tiles or a slab with few grout joints. Epoxy grout helps too.
Do I need to remove the 4-inch splash?
You can keep it as a base, but most people take it off so the new tile runs all the way to the counter.
How high should the backsplash go?
Between the counter and the uppers at minimum. Where there are no cabinets, a clean stop line or full height works.
Can tile go over drywall?
For a backsplash, yes. Drywall works well away from direct water; we repair any damaged areas first.
How long does a backsplash installation take?
Usually a couple of days. Larger walls, mosaics or stone add time.
Northbrook contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
Village contractor license required, good for one year: general contractors $100; electrical $70. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for backsplash installation in Northbrook?
It depends on the scope. Northbrook's rule in short: Village lists separate permit types: Single Family Alterations - Interior, Electrical (new wiring/outlets), and Plumbing (new fixtures). We handle the permit when one is needed with Development & Planning Services.
Do you work in my part of Northbrook?
Yes. Our crews work across Northbrook, including Techny, Downtown Northbrook — ZIP 60062 — and nearby Glenview, Highland Park, Mount Prospect.
Working in Northbrook
- A lot of Northbrook kitchens date from the 1970s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Northbrook homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Development & Planning Services handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
TechnyDowntown Northbrook
ZIP 60062
Kitchen Backsplash Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Northbrook
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.