Pin It
I've
wanted to do this wall forever, so when I found the "SimpleMat" product
in Home Depot I couldn't pass up a chance
to try it! If you already know how to tile, this will change your world.
If you are new and have been wanting to try it, this is you chance. No
mess, easy to apply, and best yet, NO CLEAN UP! I tiled this wall with a
friend while my father sat on the couch and watched television. As a
retired builder, he was absolutely amazed.
The sticky
dots are actually high-tack mastic with plastic sheeting protecting both
sides. You just peel one side, adhere it to the wall and go. I started
in the top left corner and worked across and down, leaving the other
sheet of protective plastic on, cut with scissors as you go. When you
apply the next sheet, work to keep the pattern consistent so there are
no gaps where tile won't be able to stick.
Once the
wall is completely covered, take your tile and do some dry runs to see
how the pattern will fall. I always start at the very top at the center
and work out. My superpower is that I can level anything by eyeball, but
if you can't do this you'll want to use a level and measuring tape!
Word
of CAUTION: This adhesive is formulated specifically to hold this tile
on your wall FOREVER. You will not be able to reposition once you stick
the tile to it so work carefully!
Position (stick) all
of the tile on the wall starting top/center, completing one full row at a
time, working down. Work your way out to sides where you will have
space left over. Don't work over the edge, you can't cut adhered tile!
After the wall is 90% done, you will go back to cut the rest of the
pieces to fill in. Also take care not to touch the adhesive that is
exposed or you will reduce its tackiness. I used spare plastic sheeting
scraps to cover them until I was ready with the cut tiles.
About
tile cutting: If you can use a table saw, you can use a tile saw. If
you haven't tried this, enlist a spouse, neighbor, parent to pitch in
for moral support. Worst case, you break some tile. You won't learn
unless you are willing to try!
Measure the tile, mark on the back
with a wax pencil or perm marker and go. Be sure to wear goggles or
sunglasses as small tiles send small glass chips flying. Oh, and do this
OUTSIDE. If it's cold out, I often cut my tile in the shower for easy
clean up.
Once all the tile is in place you are ready
to grout. For a wall you'll use non-sanded grout and a small grout
float- I'm partial to premixed as grout is heavy and mixing it is labor
intensive, not to mention messy which is what I was trying to avoid.
Good luck!!
Pin It
0 comments:
Post a Comment