Have you ever considered adding a peel and stick backsplash in your home? Are you curious how they hold up over time? Get all your questions answered and find out how ours are holding up three years later!
I can't believe it's been over three years since I installed our Smart Tiles peel and stick kitchen backsplash. At the time, I was looking for an affordable, quick and mess-free update for our kitchen and these peel and stick tiles were just what the space needed. They're the next best thing to real tile and perfect for a temporary budget-friendly update. They were super easy to install (I installed them myself in one afternoon while my husband was at work) and I couldn't be happier with how they turned out. I get a lot of questions about their durability and thought now would be a great time to let you know how they are holding up and answer all your burning questions.
ARE PEEL AND STICK TILES EASY TO INSTALL?
Yes! There's no mess and all you really need is a straight edge, laser level, and utility knife.
WHAT BRAND OF PEEL AND STICK TILES DID YOU USE?
I used Smart Tiles, which I really do think is the best brand of peel and stick tiles around. They can be bought at Home Depot or directly from Smart Tile.
WOULD YOU INSTALL PEEL AND STICK VINYL TILES AGAIN?
Yes, if I were looking for a temporary update to my home. I'm no stranger to tiling (I tiled our basement bathroom floor and bar backsplash) and would probably choose real tile over peel & stick for a longer term investment.
The tiles are made of a shiny gel type resin that gives them dimension so they definitely LOOK like real tile, but they don't necessarily feel like real tile.
Even though the tiles are technically removable they have an extremely strong adhesive backing that can damage walls when repositioned or removed. The damage is minimal (peeling of paint or drywall), but I would recommend asking your landlord before installing this type of tile. You can use a hairdryer to heat up tiles and loosen the adhesive to help limit damage.
HOW ARE YOUR KITCHEN VINYL TILES HOLDING UP?
I wipe down the walls often, especially behind the sink and there are only a few areas where corners of the tiles are peeling up. If you look close in the picture below you can see where a small corner of one tile is peeling away. It also gives you an idea of how the seams look where the tiles overlap and join together.
I do not recommend tiles be installed on plaster or textured walls as they won't adhere properly.
I have had everything from spaghetti sauce to paint (yes, I am one of those people who rinse their paintbrushes out in the kitchen sink) splattered on our tiles and they have not once stained or yellowed.
1. Before applying tiles clean walls with a degreaser and smooth out any uneven areas for maximum adhesion.
2. A laser level will save your sanity when installing the tiles.
4. Measure and cut out around electrical outlets and windows before removing the backing.
5. Use a brand new blade in your utility knife to keep cuts as clean as possible.
Three years later and I am still happy with how my vinyl peel and stick kitchen backsplash is holding up. I would definitely recommend them to someone who is looking for an easy DIY project with minimal mess and expense. There's no need to hire an installer, rent a tile saw or wait for adhesive and grout to dry. You can have these tiles up in one afternoon and enjoy your updated space right away.
Wow. That looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteI installed Smart Tiles in my kitchen 4 years ago and I still love them! Imagine getting ready to put the subway tile over the existing wall tile in my bathroom and I can’t wait!
ReplyDeleteI just installed Aspect brand tiles this past weekend and love how it looks.
ReplyDelete