Replacing backsplash

[mtlakejim]

Our High country 381TH comes with some really ugly (to me) white plastic backsplash. I would like to replace that backsplash with nice looking mosaic glass tile. I think that one minor change will make a big difference in the appearance of the kitchen area of our coach.

Has anyone done this already?

How hard is it to do (I have a tile cutting wet saw and have done some home bathroom floor tile in the past)?

Would you remove the very thin current plastic backsplash?

Would you use a backer board or go straight to the existing wall?

[AZ Traveler]

Would say be careful about adding weight to your rig and not sure how well the tile will handle the flex and vibration inherent in a RV.

I might look for plastic that is more appealing to you.

[mtlakejim]

AZ,
I have seen a lot of trailers with the mosaic tile. It comes from lowes or home depot with the webbing holding it together. The weight for no more than it would take for the backsplash is insignificant compared to the aesthetic value it would add (1lb worth about 10 points of appeal). I do worry a bit about how sturdy the wall would be for mounting to prevent cracking in the grout and that is why I asked the backer board question.....
I don't think it would be worth my while to bother with another plastic backsplash as they all look rather cheap to me. I might go with a metal of some kind though. I have seen some of those that look fairly nice.

[knighton91]

Check out Smart Tiles at Home Depot. Comes in sheets and has an overlap. Very lightweight. Used it in my kitchen and bathroom. Easy install.

[mtlakejim]

Thanks Knight, I am headed into town tomorrow and my truck can't pass Home Depot without turning in LOL. Trust me the wife has tried to fight it by holding onto my wallet as the truck makes the hard turn in their drive LOL.....

[knighton91]

You are welcome. Seems like I remember having to order them online as they were not stocked in my local store. They offer a good variety of shapes and colors. Good luck with your project.

[BuilderBob]

Go to H/D and in the tile department they sale product called Ditra it is a kind of backer board that is very lightweight & super waterproof they use it in bathrooms & showers instead of concrete backer board its only 1\8" thick it's made to let the tile move separate
so that the great does not crack.

Bob & Carol
Washington St
2017 352RL 2008 Dodge 3500 DRW crew cab 4x4 LB 6.7L

[mtlakejim]

Thanks Bob, That sounds like just the ticket.

[jcurtis934]

My fiver had glass with fake plastic film stuck to back of it. Removed, installed glass/metal/tile mosaic using construction adhesive directly to inside rv wall. Grout ed with normal grout and have had no issues at all with this install due to crappy u.s. roads.

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by jcurtis934

My fiver had glass with fake plastic film stuck to back of it. Removed, installed glass/metal/tile mosaic using construction adhesive directly to inside rv wall. Grout ed with normal grout and have had no issues at all with this install due to crappy u.s. roads.

Good info. Thanks.

I was wondering if regular grout would crack but I haven't heard of a flexible grout. I guess you could use some sort of silicone but if it isn't an issue.....

[Golfmedik]

I got these from HomeDepot.com as they carry MUCH more than what is in the store. They are stick on and take a couple of hours to do it right.

[Eagleback]

We used stick on type tiles, readily available at the home improvement store. we used a stainless steel 1x1" square tiles on a 12x12" sheet cut it to our size added a wood chair rail to the top. and it made it real nice looking. the exact same as golfmedik

[jking]

And I appreciate that very much since I am a hard working Dept Supervisor at Home Depot�� And we take great pride in serving our customers! Just a couple more years and we can take our Monty,which we live in full time on the road again!