Ceramic Tile Backsplash Retrofit

[bvaughn4]

Have any of you installed ceramic tile backsplash in your coach as a retrofit? Wife wants to update interior a bit and I love look of tile backsplash but wonder about flexing. Installation ideas or materials you have had success with?

[Gary RVRoamer]

My coach came with Corian back splashes, but corian flexes a tiny bit. Maybe less susceptible to cracks. I have tile floors, though.

It is my understanding that the coach manufacturers use a grout that is more flexible than the usual stuff for residential installations. You might want to ask about that at a professional flooring & tile store.

In the galley we added copper tile squares behind the countertop to alter the look a bit. This is actually a faux metal tile, but it looks like the stuff used in ceilings a century ago and comes in several shades of copper. We got one that had a patina to make it look more antique.

There are also floor tiles that are nearly indistinguishable from real slate or stone if you buy the high end stuff, say upwards of $3/sq ft. Those can be used as a back panel too. Might find something that your wife likes, yet cleans easily and not easily breakable. Look around and be creative!

[rtrdglazier]

I installed ceramic tile in the alcove of the stove in the galley of my Damon Challenger 2yrs ago from counter top to bottom of cabinets.Looks great and have not had any problems with it. I used high strength polyurethane based construction adhesive to glue tiles on wall and used regular grout with no problems.

[bvaughn4]

Originally Posted by rtrdglazier

I installed ceramic tile in the alcove of the stove in the galley of my Damon Challenger 2yrs ago from counter top to bottom of cabinets.Looks great and have not had any problems with it. I used high strength polyurethane based construction adhesive to glue tiles on wall and used regular grout with no problems.

Thanks so much! That's very encouraging. My wife will be very happy to hear this.

[Myssdragn]

Ceramic tile backsplash in our 2003 Georgie Bou Cruisemaster

[ARollingHome]

DW and I installed stone and glass tile back splash in the kitchen replacing mirrors and wall paper. Used conventional household tile adhesive and unsanded grout. Holding up in second year. Only concern is flexing along the counter edge where it meets the wall. Grout was breaking out, but has since been removed and replaced with silicone.

[spinn]

Originally Posted by ARollingHome

DW and I installed stone and glass tile back splash in the kitchen replacing mirrors and wall paper. Used conventional household tile adhesive and unsanded grout. Holding up in second year. Only concern is flexing along the counter edge where it meets the wall. Grout was breaking out, but has since been removed and replaced with silicone.

Next time try an epoxy grout, handles the same (essentially) as regular grout just the components are different. Will not stain, is flexible and really tough! Oh and no need to seal it.

[Myssdragn]

There is no conventional grout used in this backsplash. I used silicone caulk (very messy) and then wiped off the excess with lots of lacquer thinner. The result is a highly flexible surface and since there is really no solid connection between the tiles I am not afraid
of anything cracking or coming loose. Oi used the same silicone caulk to glue down the tile to the wall surface. Been on almost a year with absolutely no change seen, lots of miles. Same with the bathroom countertop and backsplash.

[bvaughn4]

Very nice looking job! I bet that cleanup of the silicone was a messy job!