A kitchen renovation doesn’t need to be total to feel complete. A well-executed backsplash, chosen in the right material and installed in a precise pattern, changes the entire character of a kitchen. We install ceramic and porcelain backsplashes, floors and countertop-area tile across Charleston, Mount Pleasant and Summerville.
Service 03
For Whom
Owners of older homes wanting to modernize their kitchen, families looking for a more durable and easier-to-maintain environment, and those preparing the property for sale or rental.
A kitchen renovation does not need to be total to feel complete. A well-executed backsplash with the right material and a precise installation pattern changes the entire character of the space. We cover floors, backsplash walls and countertop areas using ceramic or porcelain, chosen for both aesthetic and functional performance.
Material and finish consultation
Floor, backsplash and wall coverage
Waterproof-ready preparation
Grouting and sealing
Full cleanup and handoff
The backsplash works harder than any other surface in the kitchen: it takes grease, heat, and daily cleaning while defining the look of the whole room. Material choice matters. Ceramic and porcelain are the workhorses, easy to maintain and available in almost any style. Glass and mosaic bring light and texture to smaller kitchens. Natural stone adds depth but needs sealing. During the consultation we look at your countertops, cabinets, and lighting, and help you choose a material and pattern that fits both the space and your budget.
Pattern and grout decisions change the result as much as the tile itself. A classic subway lay reads timeless; herringbone and vertical stack read modern; contrasting grout turns a simple tile into a feature. We sample layouts against your wall before committing, so you see the real effect, not a guess.
Ceramic tile is the most common request and for good reason: it is affordable, comes in every color, and wipes clean. Glazed ceramic handles splatter from the range without staining, which makes it a safe choice behind a cooktop.
Porcelain tile is denser and harder than ceramic. It is the right pick for large-format pieces, for marble-look and concrete-look finishes, and for anyone who wants a stone look without the sealing routine. Most of our full-height backsplashes, from counter to upper cabinets or to the ceiling, are porcelain.
Glass and mosaic reflect light and work well in galley kitchens and in homes where the window is the only natural light source. Mosaics on mesh sheets install quickly, but the layout has to be planned around outlets so the pattern does not break in an obvious place.
Natural stone such as marble, travertine, or slate brings texture that manufactured tile cannot copy. It needs to be sealed after installation and resealed every year or two in a kitchen that gets daily use. We tell you that up front, and we seal it before we leave.
Handmade and zellige-style tile is popular in newer Charleston builds and in renovated historic homes downtown. The uneven glaze and edges are the point, so the installer has to set each piece by eye instead of relying on spacers. It takes longer, and it is worth it when done right.
Subway tile in a running bond is still the most requested layout, and it suits both the traditional kitchens of the peninsula and the newer homes in Mount Pleasant and Summerville. Herringbone adds movement behind a range hood. Vertical stack, where rectangular tiles line up in straight columns, gives a clean modern look in kitchens with flat-panel cabinets. Large-format porcelain slabs, with almost no grout lines, are the choice when you want the backsplash to read as one surface that matches or complements the countertop.
Whatever the pattern, the layout starts from the focal point, usually the range or the sink window, so the cuts land in the corners and under the cabinets rather than in the middle of the wall. That planning step is where most of the difference between a professional backsplash and a weekend project shows up.
Most kitchen backsplash installations take 1 to 2 days. We protect your countertops and floors, prepare the wall surface, set the tile with the correct thinset for the material, and grout and seal where needed. Outlets and switches are re-fitted flush with the new tile, edges get clean trim profiles, and the kitchen is left ready to use. If your project includes countertop-area tile or kitchen floor tile, we sequence the work so the kitchen stays usable as much as possible.
Three details we do not skip: the wall is checked for flatness and repaired before any tile goes up, so large tiles sit flush; the bottom course is set on a level line rather than following a countertop that may be slightly out of level; and grout is matched to the tile and the traffic, with epoxy or high-performance grout behind ranges and sinks where staining is most likely.
If you are replacing countertops, the backsplash goes in after the new tops are installed and the seams are set. We coordinate that timing with your countertop fabricator so there is no gap and no extra visit. For homeowners who want floors, backsplash, and countertop-area tile updated together, we plan it as one project with one crew, which is usually faster and cleaner than three separate jobs. If the existing tile has to come out first, our demolition and substrate preparation service handles the tear-out and wall repair.
Charleston kitchens deal with humidity most of the year. Glazed ceramic and porcelain shrug it off; the grout is what needs attention. We use sealed or stain-resistant grout, keep the joint between the countertop and the first course flexible with a color-matched silicone rather than rigid grout, and show you how to clean the surface without dulling the finish. A backsplash installed this way should look the same in year ten as it did on day one.
A typical backsplash installation runs between $900 and $2,500 including labor, depending on the tile you choose, the square footage, and the number of cuts around windows, outlets, and cabinets. You get a written quote after we measure your kitchen.
One to two days for a standard kitchen. Day one covers prep and setting the tile; day two covers grouting, sealing, and re-fitting outlets. Large-format slabs or natural stone that needs sealing can add a day.
Over paint in good condition, usually yes after surface prep. Over existing tile, we recommend removal for a flush, durable result; we handle that demolition as part of the project.
No. We only need clear access to the backsplash area. Countertops are protected, and normal kitchen use resumes the same evening in most cases.
For most kitchens, a high-performance cement grout with a sealer is enough. Behind the range or around a sink with heavy use, we recommend epoxy grout, which does not absorb grease or stain. Grout color is chosen with the tile so the pattern reads the way you want it to.
Yes. We install kitchen backsplashes across the metro area, including Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Johns Island, and Daniel Island.
We install kitchen backsplashes in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Goose Creek, Hanahan, Daniel Island, Johns Island, and surrounding communities. Every installation is backed by our 1-year labor warranty. Request a free quote and get a clear price before any work starts. Planning a bigger update? See our tile installation and bathroom remodeling services in Charleston.
Luxury bathroom remodeling and tile installation. Based in Charleston, SC, serving the region for 5+ years.
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Serving a 50-mile radius across Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties.
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