A tile backsplash is one of the fastest, highest-impact upgrades available to Chicago homeowners. A backsplash is one of the fastest ways to transform a kitchen or bathroom - protecting your walls while adding color, texture, and personality. At TileMasters, we handle precise layout, cutting, and setting so every seam lines up and every pattern reads exactly as designed.
Whether you want a classic subway pattern or a bold statement design, our installers deliver crisp lines, even grout joints, and a finish that holds up to daily splashes and spills.
From timeless subway tile to bold mosaic accents, we work with the full range of backsplash tile to match your kitchen or bath.
A classic, versatile look that suits nearly any kitchen or bathroom style, from traditional to modern, without ever feeling out of place.
Small-format tile in glass, stone, or ceramic that adds texture, color, and visual interest right behind your counters.
An eye-catching zig-zag layout that turns a simple backsplash into a true design centerpiece for the whole kitchen.
Marble, travertine, and slate for a premium, one-of-a-kind look with rich natural character that pairs beautifully with wood cabinetry.
Sleek, light-reflecting tile that brightens a space and stays effortlessly easy to keep spotless, even behind a busy stove.
Bold decorative tile that brings personality and a custom feel to any kitchen or bath, especially paired with simple cabinetry.
A well-installed backsplash protects your walls and instantly elevates the whole room.
Wipes clean in seconds, standing up to grease, splatters, and steam behind your stove and sink.
Shields drywall and paint from moisture, heat, and the everyday wear a busy kitchen puts on them.
A few square feet of well-chosen tile can completely change the personality of the whole room.
A clean, well-installed backsplash is a small investment that buyers consistently notice.
A clear, proven 5-step process from first measurement to final walkthrough.
We visit your kitchen or bath to measure the run, note where outlets, windows, and the range hood fall, and talk through tile options and patterns. Those obstacles matter more than people expect, because they decide where cuts land and whether a pattern reads cleanly across the wall. You leave the conversation with a clear plan and a detailed, no obligation written estimate.
We protect your countertops, cabinets, and appliances before any work starts, because backsplash work happens directly above surfaces you do not want scratched or dusted. Old tile comes off, and we check that the wall behind it is flat, sound, and clean. Any damaged drywall gets patched and any bowing gets corrected, since a wavy wall will telegraph straight through a finished backsplash.
We dry lay the tile to plan the pattern and decide exactly where the courses start, so cuts at the counter, the upper cabinets, and the outlets all look intentional. Outlets are the detail most people notice, so we plan around them and cut cleanly rather than filling gaps with caulk. Each piece is wet cut for a tight, professional fit.
Our installers set each tile with consistent spacing and check alignment constantly as the courses go up, since a backsplash sits at eye level where every crooked line shows. Edges are finished with the trim or schluter profile you chose rather than a raw tile edge. We keep the workspace clean throughout and leave your kitchen usable at the end of each day.
After the thinset has set, we grout the backsplash, clean the surface fully, and caulk the joint where the tile meets the countertop, which is the flex point that will crack if it is grouted instead. Sealer goes on where the material needs it. Then we walk the finished backsplash with you in the light you actually cook under, so you can inspect the grout lines and edges up close.
Common questions from Chicago homeowners before starting a backsplash project.
Most standard kitchen backsplashes take one to two days. A larger run, a full height wall behind the range, or a pattern like herringbone or a mosaic can push it to three. We usually tile on day one and grout on day two, and your kitchen stays usable in between, though we ask you to keep the counters clear.
Yes, and outlets are the detail that separates a clean backsplash from an amateur one. We cut tile precisely around outlet boxes and use extenders so the cover plates sit flush against the finished tile instead of recessed behind it. Windows, corners, and the range hood all get the same treatment, planned during layout rather than improvised on the wall.
In a small kitchen, smaller tile or a classic subway format usually works best because it keeps the scale of the wall in proportion and avoids awkward cuts in a short run. That said, a large format tile with minimal grout lines can make a compact kitchen feel less busy. We will lay out both options against your actual measurements before you decide.
In most cases yes, because the new tile needs a flat, sound surface to bond to and tiling over old tile adds thickness that looks wrong against outlets and cabinets. We remove the old backsplash, patch any drywall damage behind it, and leave a clean flat surface. If your existing backsplash is in genuinely good shape we will tell you.
Cost comes down to the tile you select, the square footage of the run, and the pattern complexity, since a herringbone or a mosaic takes considerably more labor than a straight lay subway. Removing an old backsplash and repairing the wall behind it also factors in. We give you a detailed, itemized free estimate so nothing is a surprise.
A look at recent tile backsplash installations across Chicago and the suburbs.
Get a free, no-obligation estimate for your tile backsplash project today. Serving Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
