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 West Chicago & nearby Winfield, Carol Stream
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in West Chicago, IL
Tile backsplashes set straight, grouted clean and finished around every outlet in West Chicago kitchens.
- Serving West Chicago ZIP 60185
- A new look without tearing the kitchen out
- Clean, protected work area every day
Backsplash problems we solve in West Chicago
Most of the work in a good backsplash happens before the first tile goes up. Our West Chicago tile setters flatten the wall, extend the outlet boxes and lay out the pattern, then set and grout subway, mosaic, stone or porcelain tile.
Dated or cracked tile
Old tile in a color you don't like, with cracked pieces and stained grout, is removed and the wall repaired before new tile goes up.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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's included
- Layout and tile selectionHelp choosing tile, grout color and pattern, and a layout planned around the range, sink and windows.
- Wall repair and prepThe wall is repaired, leveled out and primed so the tile bonds.
- Outlet box extendersReceptacles brought forward to the new surface, with cover plates that fit.
- 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.
- Edges and trimBullnose, pencil liner or a metal profile where the tile ends.
- Sealing and cleanupNatural stone and cement-based grout sealed when needed; the kitchen cleaned.
Options to choose from
Grout typesGrout is chosen by joint width and location: sanded, unsanded or epoxy.
Ceramic and porcelain tileGlazed ceramic and porcelain hold up to heat and grease and come in endless colors.
Handmade-look and zelligeIrregular tile with depth and shine, set with care for its varying thickness.
Subway tileSimple rectangles that work in nearly any kitchen; the pattern changes the look.
Natural stoneMarble, travertine and slate tiles bring natural variation; they need sealing.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation before and after — West Chicago homes
Before
In progress
After
DetailBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in West Chicago
The site: a 1980s two-story in West Chicago. 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. Work included layout and tile selection, outlet box extenders, plus sealing and cleanup.
Before
AfterWinfield kitchen, 1990s two-story colonial: kitchen backsplash installation
This one is a 1990s two-story colonial in Winfield. Before: 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 wall repair and prep, outlet box extenders, plus edges and trim.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Winfield →
Before
AfterBartlett kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: kitchen backsplash installation
A two-story colonial from the 1990s in Bartlett, a typical kitchen for Bartlett. What we started with: 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. Finished kitchen: a white 2x8 tile in a vertical stack backsplash with clean edges and outlets set flush. The job covered layout and tile selection, wall repair and prep, plus sealing and cleanup.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation in Bartlett →
Before
AfterA West Chicago 1980s two-story: before and after
Finished: black honed granite countertops with a tight seam, an undermount sink and a new faucet.
Countertop Fabrication & Installation in West Chicago →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1990s two-story colonial in West Chicago
Hickory luxury vinyl plank flooring through the kitchen with clean transitions.
Kitchen Flooring Installation in West Chicago →Day by day
- Pick tile and patternChoose the tile and how it's laid; we figure out the quantity.
- 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 finishGrout, caulk, trim, cover plates and cleanup, usually the next day.
Kitchen Backsplash Installation questions from West Chicago homeowners
Which grout should I use?
It depends on the joint width and the tile. Glass and polished stone often call for unsanded or epoxy grout to avoid scratches.
How long does a backsplash installation take?
Usually a couple of days. Larger walls, mosaics or stone add time.
Can tile go over drywall?
Yes. Sound, flat drywall is a fine base for a kitchen backsplash once it is clean and primed.
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 affects the price of a backsplash?
Mosaic and herringbone take longer than subway; removal and wall repair add work. We put it all in a written estimate.
West Chicago contractor registration: do kitchen contractors need it?
All contractors and subcontractors working in West Chicago must be registered with the City (insurance, licensing and bonding are checked). We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for backsplash installation in West Chicago?
It depends on the scope. West Chicago's rule in short: West Chicago requires a building permit for certain home improvement and remodeling projects; the city publishes an Additions & Remodeling permit guide with a submittal checklist. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department.
Do you work in my part of West Chicago?
Yes. Our crews work across West Chicago — ZIP 60185 — and nearby Winfield, Carol Stream, St. Charles.
Working in West Chicago
- A lot of West Chicago kitchens date from the 1990s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most West Chicago homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development Department handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
ZIP 60185
Kitchen Backsplash Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in West Chicago
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.