cancel
Showing results forย 
Search instead forย 
Did you mean:ย 

Self Adhesive Kitchen Tile Mod 2013

redkoat64
Explorer
Explorer
My husband and I do this every year. It's cold outside, we are dying to go camping, but instead we end up at the annual RV show in our area. Just to check out what's new,right? I was actually looking to see what was new with the Big Country, which I really like. As we walked the length and breadth of our local arena, I kept noticing that all the 2013 models had this awesome glass tile in the kitchens. Except it wasn't glass tile at all! It was a self-adhesive gel tile. After examining the product for what seemed like forever, I turned to my husband and gave him "the look". Which in our marriage, is loosely translated as,"Oh, crap, she's going to do another project!"

In all fairness, though, we have been looking for a backsplash for our kitchen for some time now. It's not that I am particularly messy when I cook. But seeing these latest models with this tile product really got me motivated. I found exactly what I wanted at homedepot.com. The product is called Smart Tiles and is sold exclusively by homedepot.com. We chose the "Dune Mosaic", to match the dark brown and neutral tiles in our rig, but they do offer a number of different styles, which would compliment any decor. The items shipped very quickly and I was giddy with anticipation. I almost waited until the next day to start, but that is just not my style!:B

We (I, let's be real here) began by removing the wallpaper border on the wall we were working on. We just wanted the impact of one wall, so we did the wall behind the stove. At $9 a sheet (We purchased 12,whoa), these are not cheap, but the results will astound you. Removing the wall border wasn't difficult, but in older rigs, it might be a problem. I suppose if you couldn't get it off, this product would cover right over the wallpaper, but as you will see, a super-smooth surface is best. Our wallpaper left some adhesive residue, which turned out to be a good thing. The Smart Tiles are peel and stick and do allow for removing and re positioning,if necessary. I worked from left to right, bottom to top, cutting when needed with a sharp pair of scissors. This project probably took all of an hour, but most of that was spent with me just staring at my handiwork like an idiot. So here it is (drum roll, please)




Some words of advice:If you are not particularly handy or crafty,give this project to your wife/girlfriend/daughter. Not to be sexist, but unless you spent the better part of your childhood cutting out Barbie paper dolls, you will suck at this and make an unholy mess of this project. But not to worry, when your significant other sees these little jewels arrive, they will snatch them from your hands anyway.
Seriously, work methodically. I measured twice, then carefully peeled the backing away and when placing the tiles worked them up from the bottom up. Simply pressing them gently was all they needed. They overlap nicely as well. I used my excess to cut half tiles for the ends and top.

All said, I am totally jazzed with this backsplash. It looks very high-end and custom residential. I would love to use this in the RV bathroom around the sink. Truthfully, I want to cover my whole house in these tiles.;)Smart Tiles clean with a damp cloth, come in a range of colors and are the perfect solution for RVs.

Enjoy!
137 REPLIES 137

Bob_Vaughn
Explorer
Explorer
I do not know how long Smart Tiles would take but I contacted HD about ordering some commercial roll down door seal and it took 3 days for them to answer the e-mail then told me it would take 10-14 days to get it to the store for pickup.....

Wiscampsin
Explorer
Explorer
Went to local HD this morning to check out the Smart Tiles. Sales associate in the flooring/tile dept said they are available only on line. Bummer!! She said I could order them online and if I didn't like the color they could be returned to store.

redkoat64
Explorer
Explorer
Oh,wow! I just can't imagine. Really. My DH and I are headed that way to Fort DeSoto State Park at the end of the month....
I did some checking to see if Smart Tiles could be found in the US from other suppliers. So far, only Home Depot. But the Smart Tiles website is a trove of information regarding styles and information. I especially like their videos and suggested applications (bathrooms,too!)

***I also just want to give a quick shout out to my new friends over at http://www.doityourselfrv.com They liked this article on our mod!!! Thanks to all of you,too, for your views! We will post more in the coming days on the other mods we have done to Kitty, our 2012 Keystone Cougar. Thanks!!***

Bob_Vaughn
Explorer
Explorer
redkoat64 wrote:
Hello, @Bob Vaughn! I see you are from Seffner, FL....WOW...so terrible what happened there. Praying for that poor family. Tell your DW, no worries. Just gave the tiles a gentle cleaning with some Formula409 & they were fine. Since there is no real grout for grease to get into, I imagine that even mild detergent on a sponge would be fine. I went with the F-409, because we are cleaning the rig in preparation for Spring Break! Good Luck!

It is just a couple of blocks from us and we have helicopters over head starting at 6 in the morning. I think when they do a serious investigation they will find there was more to it than just a sink hole. There is a storm water drain going from the street to a collection area behind their home. I suspect that there was a leak in that concrete pipe and as the house is at the bottom of a hill all the rain water ran in that direction......
As for the tiles I guess Heartland is buy ing them as fast as they get them because they are out of stock.....

redkoat64
Explorer
Explorer
Hello, @Bob Vaughn! I see you are from Seffner, FL....WOW...so terrible what happened there. Praying for that poor family. Tell your DW, no worries. Just gave the tiles a gentle cleaning with some Formula409 & they were fine. Since there is no real grout for grease to get into, I imagine that even mild detergent on a sponge would be fine. I went with the F-409, because we are cleaning the rig in preparation for Spring Break! Good Luck!

Bob_Vaughn
Explorer
Explorer
First thing my wife asked was how hard are they to clean from stove splatter?

redkoat64
Explorer
Explorer
Evening, all! I don't know if Lowe's carries the Smart Tiles, however I do know that they do carry the faux stone. So if you are looking to do a little comparison shopping, well, there you go. Some posters are saying that they have seen Smart Tiles in their local HD. I wish I had been so lucky! As it was, the shipping did not take long. @Wiscampsin: LOL! My DH said that the Bellagio looked like the test pattern on a TV! ๐Ÿ™‚ @sljkansas: I actually have tin tiles as a backsplash in my residential kitchen...now I am giving them "the look". But my DH said,"Are you crazy?!?" So they will have to stay. For now...

Ductape_Dave
Explorer
Explorer
I have been wanting to add a backsplash and that looks fantastic, nice job, will have to add it to my to-do list.
2016 Coachmen Clipper 17BH
2016 Toyota 4Runner SR5

john_b1
Explorer
Explorer
JRandall wrote:
Bought some on closeout at Home Depot which just happened to match the teal green and white in the galley area. I used clear liquid nails to apply to wall then grouted with non-sanded grout. (Non-sanded grout is more flexible) After a year of travels, there are no cracks or separation due to wall flex.




That is not quite the same as the product in the post!!!jb
2001 F 350 CC PSD 373 rear,auto
RBW X16 slider,Bedsaver,Prodigy,Fold A Cover,Pressure Pro!
2011 Crossroads Cruiser cf32mk Patriot edit. 5th wheel Fibreglass and all the goodies necessary,Dish,comfy loungers,and a nickel to spend,
Mr & Mrs and the PUP.

Wiscampsin
Explorer
Explorer
I like the colors of the Bellagio on the website. But I think the diffrent sizes of the tiles makes it look too busy. Might just have to make a trip to local HD this weekend.

sljkansas
Explorer
Explorer
redkoat64 thanks for the feedback. Last season I was looking to put something up and we had thought the plastic tin type ceiling panels would look good. I had them cut and ready to put in place, but the more I looked at them, I just didn't care for the look. showed DD your picture last night, and she really liked it. We broused HD website and found the tiles but just could pick the colors we wanted, the ones we thought we liked kinda looked like the rest, so we will be making a trip to HD, and maybe Lowes to get a better look. Will let you know how it comes out.

State Park that we volunteer at for the season said we can move in March 23, but may not have water. (that's about a month earier than the last 6 years) So if the weather will cooperate maybe I can get the backsplash in before we pull out for the summer. (or early spring)
Steve & Linda
Son married (1 DIL, 3 granddaughters 1 grandson)
Daughter Married.
Miami Co. Kansas
2004 F350 CC dually 8ft bed 6.0 PSD
2009 Bighorn 3670RL
B&W under bed hitch with 18k companion hitch

redkoat64
Explorer
Explorer
Hello, cwit & mpierce! Thank you for your comments! No grout needed,at all. The spaces between the tiles are already filled for you. The grout color on my selection is white. Homedepot.com has some great residential pictures. Just look under the Smart Tiles color called "Bellagio",which,frankly,I was mad that it was out of stock :'( Have fun with this mod!

cwit
Explorer
Explorer
I have seen them installed in new rv's I don't see where you would need grout. My wife has her's all picked out as soon as we get home. Thanks for finding them. New back splash and floors this spring.

TOOBOLD
Explorer
Explorer
Looks good will be checking on the website. I might be joining you in a project.

mpierce
Explorer
Explorer
Do they use any grout? If not, how are the spaces between the tiles sealed?

THey look great! Thanks for posting.