How to Install a DIY Brick Backsplash

I can’t wait to tell you about our custom brick backsplash. If you have seen my previous posts about our IKEA kitchen, you know it took us a while to get around to finishing the final touches, like the custom range hood and of course this backsplash. Today I’m going to show you how we installed our DIY brick backsplash ourselves. We were pleasantly surprised that the process was much less intimidating than we expected! 

We haven’t sealed our backsplash yet, but to get it to this point, it only took one weekend, mostly working after the kids were in bed. 

I’m going to add my Amazon affiliate links to some of the products I mention in this post to help make them easier for you to find. 

To install a DIY Brick backsplash you will need: 

• Thin Bricks. We used Old Mill Brick Colonial Collection thin brick tiles. They come in several colors. We used the ones called Castle Gate. 
• Liquid Nails
• Sanded Grout
• a grout bag
• An angle grinder or hacksaw with a masonry blade
• A grout finisher
• A caulk gun 
• tile spacers (You will need to decide what size is best for the look you want. I prefer a larger space between the bricks to help it look like an exterior wall.) 
• Outlet extenders for any outlets or light switches. 

Eddie started our project by turning off the electricity and installing outlet extenders. This is not a very complicated process, but if you aren’t comfortable doing electrical work yourself, you could hire an electrician. 

We did not do anything special to prepare the wall. We just opened the box and started sticking up tiles, using spacers to keep the distance between each tile even. We also used spacers to help set the bottom row up off the counter. We started on the bottom and worked our way up. 

The color we chose was called Castle Gate. (I debated for a long time between that and the Rushmore color, which had more grey in it. Ultimately we decided that since our counters are already grey, the red in the Castle Gate would be a better choice.) I was very nervous about ordering online and not seeing the bricks in person, but I loved them. 

We started by spreading Liquid Nails on the back of each brick. Then just stick them to the wall. Be careful not to get any adhesive on the front of your bricks. 

Start at the center of your focal point (for us this was the area above the stove) and work your way out from each side. Use spacers to get even gaps between each brick. I recommend letting each row set up for a little while before you start the next one. Since we let each row dry, we only needed one package of spacers. We just took them out of the previous row and reused them as we went. We stacked a few spacers in top of each other to support each row of bricks as it dried. 

When you get to a wall or the end of a row, use an angle grinder or a hacksaw to cut the tiles to your desired length. 

This picture is without grout or any of the cut tiles in place. You can see that it was already shaping up!

Once the Liquid Nails has set, it’s time to grout. Use a grout bag and do your best to only apply the grout in the spaces, not on the front of the bricks. It is very hard to remove if you get the grout in a place you don’t want it to be. 

We used this pre-mixed grout in the color Alabaster. Eddie mixed it with a small amount of water to make it easier to spread into the spaces. 

Once your grout is in place, use a grout finisher to get the smoothest edge you can. This part is a bit tricky. 

Then seal your tiles if you want to, since they will be splashed with grease and pasta sauce. (Although, as I said, we still haven’t sealed ours. It’s been a year since we completed this project and they are holding up just fine.) 

Then replace your outlet covers and you are all set. 

If you have any other questions please leave them in the comments and we will do our best to answer them. 

Don’t forget to pin this project to save it for later!

Also be sure to check out our DIY stone fireplace and floating mantle: