How to Install a Brick Backsplash in the Kitchen

How to Install a Brick Veneer Backsplash

1. Measure Backsplash Area

   Measure the length of the countertop and the desired height of the backsplash. Multiply the numbers, then add 10 percent to account for wastage. So, an 8-foot run of countertop would require around 18 square feet of brick veneer for a 24-inch backsplash.

2. Cover Countertops

   Cover the countertops with plastic sheeting. Tape the plastic in place.

3. Remove Faceplates

   At the electric service panel, flip off the circuit breaker to turn off the electricity to the wall area. Remove faceplates from light switches and outlets with the cordless drill or manual screwdriver.

4. Prepare Substrate

   If the drywall is in good condition, it can be lightly sanded by hand with 80-grit sandpaper to scuff it up. This will help the thin-set mortar stick better. Clean the wall with the shop vacuum and a dry, clean rag.

5. Apply Thinset Mortar

   Use the flat side of the trowel to pick up and spread thin-set mortar on the wall. Then switch to the square-notch side and comb the surface to leave lines of thin-set about 1/8-inch high.

   Tip

   Work in 2-foot by 2-foot sections to prevent the thin-set from prematurely drying.

6. Press Brick Veneer in Place

   Begin at the countertop and work upward. Leave a 1/8-inch gap between the bottom of the brick and the counter to allow for movement. Press the brick into the wet thin-set by gently wiggling it back and forth. Hold it until it sticks, then move on to the next one. Leave a joint of about 1/4-inch or as desired between the bricks.

   Tip

   A yardstick or several pre-cut shims temporarily laid flat on the countertop against the wall will create an even gap between the first row of brick and the countertop. Place bricks on top of wood pieces and press them into thin-set. Remove the wood before the thin-set starts to cure.

7. Cut Brick Veneer

   As you reach an obstruction or outlet, cut the brick. Use a wet tile saw to cut the brick. You can also cut brick veneer on a rail tile cutter or hacksaw.

8. Finish Brick at Top

   When you reach the bottom of the wall cabinets or the ceiling, decide whether to cut bricks lengthwise or leave a gap. Generally, if the gap is greater than half the height of the brick, cut filler bricks. If it is less than half, you can usually leave a hole, which will not be highly noticeable.

9. Add Grout

   Mix up the grout and fill the grout bag. Twist off the end. Squeeze grout into the joints. Smooth the grout with the jointing tool.

10. Add Caulk

    With the caulking gun, add caulk to the gap between the bottom of the brick and the countertop.

11. Seal Surface

    After the grout is fully cured, brush on transparent concrete sealer. Apply two to three coats until the brick surface is fully sealed.

    Tip

    Sprinkle a few drops of water across the face of the brick veneer. If the water beads up, it is sealed enough. If the water soaks in, add more coats of sealer.

12. Add Electrical Box Extenders and Plates

    Add extenders to the electrical boxes. Then reinstall the outlets and light switches. Finish by reinstalling the faceplates.

Durability

As a hard surface, a brick veneer backsplash wears better than painted drywall. However, a brick backsplash made of molded veneer bricks can be less durable than other types of hard surfaces since chips or scratches remove the top color and reveal the gray cement-like body. Most manufacturers have touch-up paint for this purpose. Extruded thin bricks will not have this problem.

Size and Spacing

A brick backsplash can extend from the top of the kitchen countertop to as high as the ceiling. Or depending on location, it may stop at the bottom of the wall cabinets.

Brick veneer is sized to have the exact side dimensions as actual brick: around 2 inches high by 8 inches long. This type of brick veneer comes in single units the size of one brick.

Since wall cabinets tend to rise anywhere from 18 to 24 inches above countertop height, faux brick panels are perfectly sized for that gap: usually 26 to 27 inches high. Two faux brick panels could cover an 8-foot stretch of countertop backsplash.

Brick veneer or panels increase the thickness of the wall by 1/4 to 3/4 inches, so electrical boxes need to be extended outward.

Brick Backsplash Cost

A brick backsplash will cost about $250 to $350 for 16 square feet. Brick veneer comprises most of that cost: about $150 to $200 for 18 to 20 square feet.

Another $100 to $150 will cover the thin-set mortar, grout, and specialty tools you may not already have.

Faux brick veneer panels cost about 25 to 30 percent more than brick veneer. But the extra cost might be recouped because few other materials or tools must be purchased.

Maintenance and Cleaning

One of the downsides of using brick for a backsplash is that it can be challenging to clean if it is not sealed. Brick is porous and can potentially soak up food spills, so it must be coated. The joints between the bricks also make cleaning brick a challenge. The joints must also be sealed.

Sealing the Brick and Mortar

Several layers of clear (often polyurethane) water-based sealer are applied to the entire surface of the brick backsplash. If the painted brick is your desired look, the paint will act as the sealer for the brick.