How to Install a Solid-Surface Backsplash

By: Jennifer Stimpson, This Old House online

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. Solid-Surface Wall Paneling. Look for 1/4-inch-thick material, available in large sheets at home centers or through distributors. Get the widest sheets you can find to minimize joints.

2. All Purpose Kitchen Cleaner, such as Formula 409 or Fantastik, to clean grease off the wall and prepare it for adhesive.

3. 1/4-Inch Plywood, aka luaun, to make the template.

4. Painter's Tape

5. Construction Adhesive to adhere the backsplash to the wall.

6. Tack Cloth

7. Heavy-Duty Double-Stick Tape to hold the panel in place while the adhesive sets.

8. All-Purpose Caulk to seal seams between panels and against cabinets. Get a color to match the solid-surface material, or else use clear.

9. 1x3 Pine Lumber to cap any exposed edges.

10. 1 1/2-Inch Finish Nails

11. Paint to coat any molding detail to match the backsplash material.

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Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Hot Glue Gun
- 4-Foot Level
- Circlar Saw
- Jigsaw fitted with metal cutting blade
- Drill/Driver fitted with with 3/8-inch masonry drill bit
- Utility Knife
- Caulk Gun
- Hammer and Nail Set
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Photo: William P. Fuller

Introduction
Overview
Steps:
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9. Attach the Trim

Cut a strip of lattice to fit against the vertical edge of the panel left exposed. Apply a bead of adhesive caulk to the edge and stick the strip in place, laid flat. Face-nail the lattice strip to the wall with a 1½-inch finish nail.

Cut a strip of 1x3-inch pine to the length, plus 1/4 inch, of the top edge of the surface to be capped—including the side trim.

Lay a bead of adhesive caulk across the top edge of the solid backsplash surface. Stick the strip in place and face-nail it to the wall with finish nails.

Finally, cut a strip of lattice to the length of the 1x3 strip, plus 1/4 inch. Position the lattice on edge, above the 1x3 strip. Nail it in place with finish nails angled through the top of the lattice into the 1x3.

Set the nails below the surface of the wood. Prime and paint the trim to match the backsplash.