Kitchen Remodeling · Naperville & DuPage County
Tile & Backsplash Installation in Naperville, IL
Kitchen backsplashes and tile work set straight, clean and properly finished at every edge.
Tile & Backsplash Installation for DuPage County and Chicagoland homes
A backsplash is small in square footage and big in effect. Classic subway tile, handmade-look zellige, patterned cement-look tile, large porcelain slabs and full-height stone all work — the right one depends on the cabinets and counters it has to sit with.
Good tile work shows at the edges: where the tile meets the upper cabinets, how it ends at a window or a wall with no cabinet, and how outlets are handled. Layout is planned so cut pieces land in the least visible places and the pattern is centered on the range or sink.
The same crew handles floor tile and bathroom tile, so a kitchen and an adjoining powder room or mudroom can be done together.
This work is usually part of a larger kitchen remodeling project, and it pairs naturally with kitchen cabinet installation and countertop installation. We do it for homeowners in Burr Ridge, Darien, Palos Heights and Old Town, among the other towns we serve.
Choosing a backsplash
Subway tile is the classic for a reason — it works with almost any cabinet. Laid in a stacked or vertical pattern it looks more modern; in a herringbone it adds movement. Handmade-look and zellige tiles have color variation that softens a white kitchen. Large porcelain slabs or the countertop stone run up the wall give a seamless look with almost no grout to clean.
Behind a range is a natural place for a feature — a pattern, a different tile or a slab that runs to the hood.
Layout and details that separate good tile work
Tile is laid out before it is set, so cut pieces fall at the ends of runs rather than in the middle, and patterns center on the sink or range. Edges are finished with a clean returned edge, a metal trim or a bullnose piece rather than a raw cut. Outlets are positioned so cover plates sit flat on the tile.
Grout color matters too: matching grout gives a calm look, contrasting grout emphasizes the pattern.
Kitchen and bathroom floor tile
Porcelain tile is the go-to for floors because it is hard and water-resistant. Large-format tile makes a room feel bigger but needs a flat floor, which sometimes means leveling first. Wood-look porcelain gives the look of hardwood with water resistance, a good choice for kitchens, mudrooms and bathrooms.
Bathroom wall tile
In a shower, tile is the finish over a waterproof system, not the waterproofing itself. We tile showers, tub surrounds and bathroom walls as part of bathroom remodels, often with niches and benches built into the layout.
Tile & Backsplash Installation in Naperville homes
Naperville is the largest city in the area, with the Riverwalk downtown, a historic district of older homes near it, and neighborhoods of homes built from the 1980s through the 2000s. Much of Naperville was built by production builders, so many homes share the same builder-grade kitchens and baths — oak or cherry cabinets, granite, and fiberglass tub surrounds. A typical Naperville kitchen remodel keeps the open layout and upgrades it: painted or wood cabinets to the ceiling, quartz counters, a larger island and better lighting.
How it fits into a kitchen remodel
Tile & Backsplash Installation can be a project on its own or one part of a full kitchen remodeling job. Here is how the common project sizes compare:
| Project size | What is usually included | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh | New counters, backsplash, hardware, lighting and paint; cabinets stay | Kitchens with solid layout and cabinets |
| Mid-range remodel | New cabinets and counters in the same layout, new sink, fixtures and flooring | Dated kitchens that work well |
| Full remodel | Layout change, walls opened, new everything including electrical and ventilation | Closed-off or poorly laid-out kitchens |
Before your walkthrough
- Take photos of the room and text them to us before the walkthrough.
- Make a list of what you like and dislike about the current room.
- Save a few pictures of kitchens or bathrooms you like, even from magazines or online.
- Think about how long you plan to stay in the home — it affects how much to invest.
- For condos, get a copy of your building's remodeling rules.
Tile & Backsplash Installation questions
How far up should a backsplash go?
Standard is from the counter to the underside of the upper cabinets. Behind a range hood or on a wall with open shelving, running it to the ceiling often looks better.
Can you tile over the old backsplash?
Usually it is better to remove it so the new tile sits flat and the edges line up with the counter.
How long does a backsplash take to install?
Most kitchen backsplashes take a short visit once counters are installed, depending on the tile and pattern.
What grout should I use?
Cement grout works for most backsplashes. Epoxy or high-performance grout is more stain-resistant and suits busy kitchens and showers.
Can large-format tile go on an uneven floor?
The floor usually needs to be flattened first, or the tile edges will not line up.
Do you do tile floors too?
Yes, kitchen, bathroom, mudroom and laundry floors.
Our process
- Walkthrough. We visit, measure the room and talk through how you use the kitchen and what you want changed.
- Design and scope. Layout, cabinet plan, counters, tile, lighting and appliances are pinned down in writing.
- Estimate. You get a written estimate that lists what is and is not included.
- Ordering. Cabinets, stone and fixtures are ordered so the schedule is set around real lead times.
- Demo and rough-in. Old kitchen out, then plumbing, electrical and ventilation are roughed in and inspected where required.
- Install and finish. Cabinets, templating and counters, backsplash, fixtures, trim and a final walkthrough with you.
We serve these areas
Tile & Backsplash Installation is available across our service area, including:
Planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel?
Call or text us to set up a walkthrough. Send a few photos of the space and we will come prepared.