Kitchen Backsplash by Garrett Construction
Transform your kitchen's most visible wall surface with a professionally installed backsplash that protects, defines, and completes your space. Garrett Construction delivers expert kitchen backsplash installation across every style, material, and budget.
5 Highlights on Kitchen Backsplash
What sets Garrett Construction's backsplash services apart on every kitchen project.
Material Variety
Garrett Construction installs ceramic tile, porcelain, glass mosaic, natural stone, and subway tile backsplashes — giving you full control over the final look and finish of your kitchen walls.
Waterproof Protection
A properly installed kitchen backsplash seals the wall surface behind your countertop and range, blocking moisture, grease, and food splatter from penetrating drywall or plaster.
Custom Layouts
Our crew builds backsplash patterns including herringbone, stacked, offset, and diagonal configurations, matched precisely to your cabinetry and countertop dimensions.
Grout and Adhesive Expertise
We select the correct thinset mortar, epoxy grout, or sanded grout for each tile type, ensuring long-term adhesion and stain resistance.
Clean, Precise Cuts
Garrett Construction uses wet saws and tile nippers to cut around outlets, switches, and fixtures with tight tolerances and clean edges.
Our Kitchen Backsplash Work
See examples of our professional backsplash craftsmanship across kitchen projects in the Twin Cities area.
Our Specialties
Subway Tile Backsplash
A timeless classic that works in any kitchen style. Available in various sizes, colors, and layouts including herringbone, stacked, and offset patterns.
Mosaic & Decorative Tile
Create a stunning focal point with glass mosaics, natural stone blends, or artistic patterns. We help you select and install the perfect accent for your kitchen.
Full-Height & Slab Backsplash
Extend your countertop material up the wall for a seamless, modern look, or create a dramatic full-height tile installation from counter to ceiling.
Why Choose Our Kitchen Backsplash Services
Garrett Construction brings hands-on general contracting experience to every kitchen backsplash project. Our installers know the difference between a backsplash that looks good on day one and one that holds up for fifteen years. That difference comes down to surface preparation, material selection, and installation technique — and we get all three right.
We work with homeowners, kitchen designers, and remodeling contractors. Whether you’re replacing a dated tile backsplash or installing one for the first time, our team assesses your wall substrate, checks for moisture issues, and preps the surface before a single tile goes up. We don’t skip steps.
Our kitchen backsplash installations come with a workmanship guarantee. If grout cracks, tiles shift, or adhesion fails due to our installation, we come back and fix it. No runaround.
We’re qualified to handle full kitchen renovations, so we understand how a backsplash fits into the broader scope of cabinetry, countertops, and plumbing rough-ins. That context makes us a smarter choice than a tile-only subcontractor who doesn’t see the full picture.
Garrett Construction uses professional-grade materials from trusted manufacturers. We don’t cut corners on thinset, backer board, or grout sealer. The result is a kitchen backsplash installation that stays clean, stays sealed, and stays put.
Signs You Need Kitchen Backsplash Installation
If any of these sound familiar, it's time for a new backsplash.
Bare Drywall Behind Your Countertop
Unpainted or unprotected drywall behind a kitchen sink or range absorbs grease and moisture fast. Once water infiltrates the paper facing of standard drywall, mold growth follows. A kitchen backsplash installed over cement backer board creates a waterproof barrier that standard wall materials can’t provide.
Cracked or Crumbling Grout Lines
Grout that’s cracking, crumbling, or pulling away from tile joints is no longer sealing the wall surface. Water gets behind the tile, weakens the thinset bond, and eventually causes tiles to pop off the wall. Regrouting helps in minor cases, but widespread grout failure usually means the backsplash needs a full reinstall.
Tiles That Are Loose, Hollow, or Falling Off
Tap your existing backsplash tiles. A hollow sound means the thinset bond has failed beneath the tile surface. Loose or detached tiles expose the wall to direct moisture contact. Garrett Construction removes failed tiles, cleans the substrate, and reinstalls with proper adhesive coverage — typically 95% back-butter coverage for wall tile applications.
Outdated or Damaged Aesthetic
A kitchen backsplash from the 1980s or 1990s — think pink ceramic or country-blue accents — pulls down the visual value of an otherwise updated kitchen. Replacing it with a modern subway tile, large-format porcelain, or glass mosaic backsplash is one of the highest-return cosmetic upgrades in kitchen remodeling.
No Backsplash After a Countertop Replacement
New countertops often expose bare wall sections that the old countertop or backsplash previously covered. After a granite, quartz, or butcher block countertop installation, the wall behind it needs a finished backsplash to complete the installation and protect the wall from daily kitchen use.
Our Kitchen Backsplash Process
Site Assessment
We inspect the wall substrate, check for moisture damage, and confirm that the countertop surface is level and properly sealed. We identify outlet locations, switch plates, and any plumbing penetrations that require precise tile cuts.
Material Selection
We help you choose the right tile material, size, and layout pattern for your kitchen. We factor in grout joint width, tile thickness, and edge trim requirements before ordering materials.
Surface Preparation
We remove existing backsplash materials if needed, repair damaged drywall, and install cement backer board where required. We clean and prime the wall surface to ensure proper thinset adhesion.
Layout and Installation
We snap reference lines, dry-lay the tile pattern, and begin installation from the most visible focal point. We apply thinset mortar, set each tile with consistent joint spacing using tile spacers, and cut border and outlet tiles with a wet saw.
Grouting and Sealing
After the thinset cures, we apply grout across all joints, tool the lines, and clean the tile faces. We apply grout sealer to protect against staining and moisture penetration. We reinstall outlet covers and inspect the finished backsplash for alignment and consistency.
Brands We Use
Garrett Construction installs kitchen backsplash materials from manufacturers known for quality, durability, and design range.
We only install materials rated for kitchen wall applications. All adhesives and grouts meet ANSI A118 standards for bond strength and moisture resistance.
FAQs About Kitchen Backsplash
Common questions about kitchen backsplash answered by Garrett Construction.
A kitchen backsplash is a wall covering installed between the countertop surface and the upper cabinets. It protects the wall from moisture, grease, and food splatter while adding a finished, designed look to the kitchen.
Most standard kitchen backsplash projects take one to two days. Larger kitchens, complex tile patterns, or extensive surface prep work can extend the timeline to three days. We give you a clear schedule before we start.
Ceramic and porcelain tile are the most practical choices — they’re durable, easy to clean, and available in hundreds of styles. Glass mosaic tile adds visual depth. Natural stone like marble or travertine looks premium but requires sealing to resist kitchen grease and moisture.
In some cases, yes. The existing tile must be firmly bonded, flat, and in good condition. We assess the substrate before recommending an overlay installation. If the existing tile is uneven or failing, removal is the better option.
We use a wet saw for straight cuts and a tile nipper or angle grinder for curved or notched cuts around electrical boxes. Outlet covers are reinstalled after grouting to cover the cut edges cleanly.
A professionally installed kitchen backsplash is one of the most cost-effective kitchen upgrades available. It improves the visual appeal of the kitchen and signals to buyers that the space is well-maintained and updated.
Wipe tile surfaces with a damp cloth and mild cleaner. Avoid abrasive scrubbers on glazed tile. Reseal grout lines every one to two years to maintain stain resistance. Inspect grout annually for cracking or separation.
Frequently Paired Services
Many of our clients combine kitchen backsplash with these complementary services for a more complete transformation.
Ready to Upgrade Your Kitchen Backsplash?
Contact Garrett Construction today for a free consultation and detailed estimate for your kitchen backsplash project in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.