Fitting and preparation
Kitchen tiling
Kitchen tiling has to work around the room you cook in. A splashback should protect the wall where it is needed, meet the worktop neatly and accommodate sockets and cupboards without awkward cuts. The service enquiry is for fitting and preparation; colour schemes and material comparisons belong in the separate kitchen ideas guide.
How we work
Set out the splashback around the kitchen
Choose the extent of the splashback before counting tiles. A short upstand, the full space beneath wall cupboards and a taller feature behind the hob create different edges and cutting patterns. Look at the whole run, including window reveals and the return beside a tall unit. A layout centred on one feature can leave very small cuts elsewhere, so check those boundaries together.
Splashback tiling relies on a secure, clean wall. Old adhesive, grease and damaged plaster can prevent a reliable bond. Removing an existing finish may reveal repairs that could not be seen at the first look. Allow for making good in the scope rather than expecting fresh tiles to hide loose backing or a badly uneven surface.
Details to settle before fitting
Extent and height of the splashback
Wall preparation after old finishes are removed
Tile layout around cupboards and window reveals
Hob clearances and material suitability
Socket positions, edge profiles and worktop seals
Sockets, corners and the worktop junction
Socket openings need planning so the tile edges sit neatly beneath the faceplate without restricting access. Changes to electrical fittings require a suitably qualified electrician; tiling is not a claim to provide that electrical work. Agree any required changes before the wall is finished, including whether a new tile thickness affects the fitting arrangement.
The worktop junction needs an appropriate flexible seal rather than a rigid grout line that can crack as surfaces move. Internal corners and exposed ends also need deliberate details. A metal or other compatible profile can protect an outside edge, but its size should match the tile thickness. Consider how that profile meets the cupboard or window rather than choosing it after laying.
Kitchen floors are a different preparation task
A splashback can be a limited wall job; a kitchen floor needs its own assessment. Appliances, fitted units and doorway heights affect the order of work. Decide whether flooring is being laid around the existing kitchen or before a replacement kitchen is fitted. The extent beneath units and appliances should be stated so the finished coverage is clear.
See floor tiling for subfloor checks, heating compatibility and connected-room layouts. A floor finish needs a stable base and suitable movement details even where most of it sits beneath cupboards. Tell Martin about any existing heating or floor movement before lifting is discussed.
Working around a kitchen that is still in use
Plan access to water, cooking and food storage during the job. Clear food and small appliances from the work area. Identify fittings needing protection or temporary disconnection, and keep cutting debris and wet materials away from food preparation surfaces. Ask how the agreed scope affects kitchen use rather than assuming all areas remain available.
Adhesive, grout and sealant have product-specific curing requirements. Completion of laying is not always the point at which the wall should be washed or exposed to heavy splashing. The hob area may have additional requirements. Agree the return-to-use guidance for the selected materials instead of relying on a general promise of a fixed completion time.
A kitchen tiling quotation with clear boundaries
The work involved depends on preparation, tile dimensions, pattern, socket openings and finishing profiles. A decorative pattern can require more setting out and cutting than a plain run, even where the wall area is identical. Explain whether old tiles are staying or coming off and whether replacement cupboards or worktops are already fitted.
You can request a quote with photographs of the kitchen and the tile you have in mind. The wider tiling service covers bathroom walls and other tiled surfaces; the kitchen enquiry should identify its splashback, floor or both so the scope follows the actual room.
Good to know
Material choices beside a hob
Tiles behind a hob must be suitable for the conditions and the appliance’s installation requirements. Check required clearances and the suitability of adhesive, grout and neighbouring finishes. Heat-resistant tile faces do not automatically make every backing or edge detail appropriate. The hob instructions and the proposed wall build-up should be considered together.
For patterns, colours and the choice between tiled walls and floors, read kitchen tiling splashbacks and floors. Here the focus is the practical fitting scope after you have shortlisted the finish.
Read before you commit
Common questions
Kitchen Tiling: your questions answered
What needs checking before tiling behind a hob?
The appliance clearances and the suitability of the complete wall finish, including backing, adhesive and edges. Check the hob instructions before selecting the tiles.
How long before a tiled kitchen can be used again?
It depends on the materials and which part of the kitchen has been worked on. Follow the specified adhesive, grout and sealant curing guidance before washing, heavy splashing or heating the area.
Should splashback tiles be fitted before or after new worktops?
The finished worktop position normally provides the reference for the lower tile edge. Coordinate the sequence with the kitchen installation so the junction and remaining wall heights are known.
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