Dated or cracked tile
Cracked tiles and grout that never comes clean are a sign to replace the backsplash, not patch it.
Serving St. Charles & nearby Geneva, West Chicago
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in St. Charles, IL
Tile backsplashes set straight, grouted clean and finished around every outlet in St. Charles kitchens.
- Crews working in St. Charles ZIP 60174, 60175
- Most jobs done in days, with your kitchen still usable
- Samples and a written quote before we start
Backsplash problems we solve in St. Charles
We install kitchen backsplashes in St. Charles 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.
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.
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.
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.
Awkward edges and ends
We decide early where the tile ends and how — to the cabinet, to the ceiling or to a trim line — so the edges look intentional.
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.
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.
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.
What we do on the job
- 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 extendersReceptacles brought forward to the new surface, with cover plates that fit.
- Setting the tileWe set the field tile, the cuts and the details around the window and hood.
- Caulk at the counterThe counter joint and inside corners sealed with caulk, not grout.
- Sealing and cleanupStone and grout sealed if they call for it, then a full cleanup.
Finishes we offer
Mosaic and glassSmall tiles on mesh sheets for accents or full walls; glass needs careful setting and unsanded or epoxy grout.
Grout typesUnsanded for narrow joints, sanded for wider ones, epoxy where stain resistance matters most.
Subway tileClassic 3x6 or longer rectangles in a running bond, stacked or herringbone layout.
Handmade-look and zelligeIrregular tile with depth and shine, set with care for its varying thickness.
Slab backsplashA full-height sheet of quartz, stone or porcelain matching the counters, with no grout lines.
Kitchens like yours in St. Charles: before and after
Before
In progress
After
DetailSt. Charles kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: kitchen backsplash installation
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in St. Charles. Before: almond laminate with a backsplash lip. The reason for the call: the old laminate lip and bare wall above it. After: a terracotta-look square tile backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. On site this meant wall repair and prep, caulk at the counter, plus sealing and cleanup.
Before
AfterA Geneva 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
A 1990s two-story colonial near Mill Creek, a typical kitchen for Geneva. What we started with: white ceramic tile with dark stained grout lines. What bothered the owners most: 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, setting the tile, plus caulk at the counter.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Geneva →
Before
AfterA Batavia two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Batavia, a typical kitchen for Batavia. What we started with: blue-and-white decorative tile accent and white Corian-style solid surface with a yellowed seam. The reason for the call: a busy backsplash that clashed with the new look. The result: a white 2x8 tile in a vertical stack backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. The job covered wall repair and prep, outlet box extenders, plus sealing and cleanup.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Batavia →
Before
AfterSt. Charles kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: countertop fabrication & installation
Finished: dark soapstone-look quartz countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet.
Countertop Fabrication & Installation in St. Charles →
Before
AfterKitchen Flooring Installation in a 1980s two-story, St. Charles
Finished: hickory luxury vinyl plank flooring through the kitchen with clean transitions.
Kitchen Flooring Installation in St. Charles →How the job goes
- 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 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 St. Charles homeowners
Do I need to remove the 4-inch splash?
Not always. Tile can start above it, but removing it gives a cleaner, more current look with tile down to the counter.
Do I need to seal my backsplash?
Only some materials: marble, travertine and other stone, plus cement grout if you want it more stain resistant.
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.
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.
Do I need a St. Charles-registered contractor for backsplash installation?
No registration fee; contractor requirements (general contractor certificate of insurance, with City as certificate holder) must be submitted before a permit is issued. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for backsplash installation in St. Charles?
It depends on the scope. St. Charles's rule in short: Permits required for construction, alteration, repair or demolition of any structure; major residential projects including remodels require 5 sets of drawings. We handle the permit when one is needed with Building Division, Community Development, 2 E. Main St..
Do you work in my part of St. Charles?
Yes. Our crews work across St. Charles — ZIP 60174, 60175 — and nearby Geneva, West Chicago, Batavia.
Working in St. Charles
- A lot of St. Charles kitchens date from the 2000s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most St. Charles homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Live in a historic district? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
ZIP 60174ZIP 60175
Kitchen Backsplash Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in St. Charles
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.