I went with peel-and-stick tile instead of real subway tile and I'm fine with it

Everyone in this sub told me I'd regret using peel-and-stick tile in my kitchen backsplash, but it's been 8 months and it still looks great. I spent $120 total on the whole project versus the $600 estimate for real tile plus install. Sure, it's not going to last 20 years, but I'm renting and the landlord won't pay for upgrades. Has anyone else here had a good experience with peel-and-stick when everyone said it would fail?

2 comments

2 Comments

davis.noah5d ago

Wait, are you planning on taking it with you when you move out? That's the part I'm curious about since you mentioned renting. Peel and stick can be a nightmare to remove without damaging the wall if it sits there too long. Also, did you do any special prep work on the wall before putting it up? The people who fail usually skip that step and then wonder why it peels off after a month.

sandra_bennett595d ago

Prep work is everything, plain and simple. I put mine on a wall that had been primed and painted with a good quality flat paint, and I gave it a full 48 hours to cure before I even touched the tile. Wiped the wall down with rubbing alcohol first to get rid of any dust or grease. Stuck to a smooth wall, not textured, and I used a credit card to press every inch flat. Came off clean after two years with just a hair dryer to soften the glue.