Tiled splashback

Evening all.

I have a 90 year old Queenslander which has tongue and groove walls. It is highset and as it is in need of restumping some time in the future (probably when we build in underneath) it does move a bit when the kids are thundering up and down the hallways!

I have succeeded in ripping out the old kitchen and have almost finished installing the new one! I am nearly ready to start tiling the splashbacks above the benches. My question is....do I need a backing board of some sort behind the tiles (and if so, what is the most appropriate material?) or can I tile straight onto the T&G walls? Please keep in mind the movement factor!

Thanks for any advice.

-Kristine.

You would normally use Cement sheet nailed\screwed the the wall, there are different thicknesses of sheet so use the correct one for wall tiling. That will then give you a nice flat surface for tiling onto. Also gives better adhesion for the glue.

If the wall is not straight you can also pack behind the sheet if needed to line things up properly....

If you ever need to remove the tiles it is also easier and will not damage existing walls....

Dunno if I have welcomed you to the forum, but if not WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! they are a great bunch of blokes and gals with a welath of knowledge and opinon - and more than a few of 'em own Queenslanders so get ready to enjoy!

yup, you definitely need Cement Sheet backing. your tiles will fall off otherwise, pretty much guaranteed, seeing you have a home of that style and stump-condition. the substrate will allow the tiles to move as a single unit when the kids go crazy.

:D:D:D

Thanks so much for the welcome and the advice.
I have used cement sheeting as suggested (dusty stuff to cut!) and have tiled about half the kitchen now. Only one wall to go. I must say it looks terrific. Will post some photos when it is all done!
-Kristine.

terrif! Can't wait to see pics

have fun fellow renovator!

O.K. I promised photos so I will try and attach some for your perusal and approval!
Enjoy!
-mrsxtro

A couple more photos.
Mostly finished. Just some painting, a little floor sanding and closing off the doorway behind the fridge and it will all be finished!

thanks for the pics! MAN, those tiles look great! so do the cabinets .....

are they vinylwrap doors?

What is the benchtop material?

how do you clean the rooster poo? :D

Finally, what's the next project?

hehehehe love it how you guys get soooo excited about this sort of stuff! I feel at home!
Cabinets are from Ikea (sorry, don't cringe, they are reasonably priced and seem to be good quality with a 20 year guarantee). They have lots of different sizes and configurations and a programme on their web site which allows you to easily design your own kitchen. It was a little time-consuming making up the cabinets (which come as flat packs) but certainly not difficult. Yes, they are vinyl wrap. Benchtops are solid Oak (made up of lots of bits laminated together, is there a name for this?). They come in 2.4m lengths and you just cut it to size. The tiles are from Bunnings, again reasonably priced and they look even better in person! They turned out exactly as I imagined. I like colour! Rooster is well-trained! Much better than the rest of the roosters living in this house! Next project is... well, let me consult the list....hmmm....probably lining the study roof which is part of an enclosed verandah with no ceiling whatsoever, just painted corrugated iron. Bloody hot in summer, freezing cold in winter! Or maybe the front verandah gates. Or maybe some landscaping. Or sanding and polishing the floor in the study. Or.... why does my list never get any shorter???
-Kristine.

truth is: when in meetings, and I start to lose the plot, it is always furniture design, french country kitchens, or period architecture that I begin thinking about.

I look forward to the next project .... hope it's the verandah gates ..... they look fantastic on QLDers

Have fun!

Actually we already have the gates. I found them under my parents old house when they bought it 2 years ago and quickly snaffled them away to my house! I only needed to plane about 5mm of each side for them to fit perfectly. I have recently had them stripped and am now squaring them up (they were a little warped after having lain under the house for so long) in preparation for their installation. Then a pain and they'll look terrific. So in reality that is a project which is also nearly finished. I must be on a roll!
-Kristine

Sorry, the gates need a paint not a pain!

lucky bugger - those gates cost a fair bit to buy or have made!

Ok, so my next vote goes for the floor refinishing - what type of timber is it, dyu know? Have a think abt painting the floor ..... yup, I said paint (as opposed to pain :D ) Depending on what look" youre trying to achieve, painted timber floors can be a knockout!

have fun

The floor in the kitchen is hoop pine and has been sanded and polished. The bit that needs a fix up is the section in front of the stove that used to be under the old cupboards. I suspect we will need to redo the whole floor not just the small 600mmx500mm unpolished square??? I assume it will be tricky to try and make it match.
Any thoughts?
-Kristine.

you can often match these things by sacrificing material from elsewhere in the house - having said that, there would be a number of demolition yards that would have material of the same profile and vintage..... make sure on the profile bit though ..... that is

width, thickness AND tongue & groove position ..... get it wrong and the boards split......

fun fun fun :D:D:D:D

Sorry, wasn't clear enough. The timber of the floor is fine. It is just unsanded and unpolished where the old cupboards used to be. So I just need to sand and polish a small area. I don't think the colour will match though if I just do the little bit. Maybe I need to resand and repolish the entire kitchen floor to get a decent finish?
-Kristine.

my mistake - didnt read it properly - you may end up with that part of the floor looking a bit "fresh" but if you know what was done to the floor originally you should be able to work things out .... also you can put diluted stain onto the old boards to help match them.