Zellige Kitchen Backsplash
Bulverde, TX
This Bulverde kitchen received handmade cream zellige square tiles as a full backsplash from countertop to cabinet base. The homeowner had selected the tile from a specialty tile showroom and wanted the characteristic rippled surface and slight color variation that zellige tiles are known for. Handmade zellige tiles vary in thickness by up to 3mm from tile to tile, which means they can't be set with a fixed mortar bed thickness. We sorted the tiles into thickness groups before the install day and adjusted the mortar bed under each tile to hold them coplanar.
The brass faucet and wood countertop in this kitchen made the warm cream tone of the zellige a natural fit, and the wide white grout joints were chosen to complement the irregular tile faces rather than fight them.
What We Did
- Sorted zellige tiles by thickness before install; established level reference line from countertop
- Set tiles with back-buttered modified thinset, adjusting mortar bed for each tile's thickness
- Maintained consistent 3/16 inch joints throughout; cut tiles cleanly at cabinet openings and outlets
- Grouted with white sanded grout; applied silicone at countertop joint; sealed grout after cure
Project Details
- Service
- Kitchen Backsplash
- Area
- Bulverde, TX
- Materials
- Handmade cream zellige square tiles; modified thinset; white sanded grout; clear silicone at countertop joint
- Scope
- Residential kitchen backsplash, full wall
- Timeline
- Two-day install
