Looking to upgrade your kitchen, bathroom, or any other room with beautiful mosaic tiles? If so, then you’re in luck. Mosaic tiles are a quick and easy way to completely change the look of any room while giving it an instant facelift at the same time. And one of the most popular ways to install mosaic tiles these days is with peel and stick tiles. The only problem, however, is that not all peel and stick tiles are created equal – some will fall off within days or even hours of being installed!
1) Know what you’re getting into
Stick on tiles can be an affordable, easy-to-install way to bring an accent or complement to your floors. If you have been thinking about giving them a try but don’t know what you’re getting into, we’ve got you covered with 8 tips that will make the process much easier.
1) Gather all of the supplies needed in one place before starting. There is nothing worse than when halfway through installing tile you realize that you need adhesive and can’t find it!
2) Consider your wall type
Make sure the walls are able to take a little more weight and pressure than normal, even though they are lighter. Smooth surface walls like plaster or drywall work best with peel and stick tiles, but you can install them on rough surfaces like brick as well with a special adhesive. If you have textured wall surfaces like stucco or cinderblock that have been sealed, then you can go ahead and install peel and stick tiles onto them.
3) Get the right tools
Here are some basic tools you’ll need to install peel and stick tiles:
1. Utility knife with a fresh blade- The first step is to remove the backing from the tile and slice through any parts of the tile that might have an overlap. Using a fresh blade will make this process easier as it will avoid any unnecessary scraping and shredding.
2. Tile spacers- These will help you align the tiles during installation so they aren’t too tight or too loose in any one area.
4) Order extra supplies
1. Plan ahead and make sure to order supplies in advance.
2. Take measurements of the area to be tiled so you know what size tiles you need; You’ll need about two square feet of the peel and stick tile for every 60 sq ft of wall space, so your pattern should account for that. For example, if you’re tiling a 10×10 room, order 100 sq ft or tiles-they measure 11 1/2 inches by 15 inches in size.
5) Clean your walls thoroughly
We recommend using compressed air or a lint roller to remove any dust from the wall before you install your tiles. It’s also important to make sure that the room you’re working in is well lit and well ventilated, so that you can see what you’re doing and avoid getting lightheaded from paint fumes. Remember to be careful with your hands and fingers when cutting tiles, as broken shards of glass can hurt you!
6) Lay out your design on paper first
Before installing the tiles, lay out your design on paper first to make sure you know where each tile should go. This will prevent you from having excess tiles left over when all is said and done. It will also help ensure that any grout lines are laid out evenly and placed as desired.
One of the first things to consider when laying down your design is finding an outlet in which to plug in the lights if you choose to include those in your design.
7) Use plenty of backing membrane
The backing membrane is the plastic sheet that you stick to the wall or floor where your tiles will be installed. It comes in both black and white and will protect the surface of your wall or floor from damage before, during, and after installation. This will also protect your tiles if they do happen to peel off.
Please ensure that the area you are installing your tile has been thoroughly cleaned with water so that the backing membrane will attach properly to it and not move around while installing.
8) Have fun!
8. When in doubt, play it safe. Always use gloves and work in well-ventilated areas to avoid contact with toxic substances.
7. Watch your fingers as you start pushing the tiles into place; this will ensure that the top of each tile is flush with its bottom edge, creating an even surface over which to lay grout.
