[DavidFallows]

Just wondering about tiling a new black splash in an older kitchen do I need to remove the drywall and install wonderboard onto the studs? Or can I go over top of drywall with wonderboard? Or just tile directly onto the drywall?

Want to use 1/4 inch wonderboard if going over top and if I have to remove drywall will use 1/2 unless 1/4 is good enough

Thanks a lot for the help in advance.
David

[jamlove]

I tiled the backsplash and cooking area of my kitchen walls with ceramic tiles. On the largest area, about 3 feet wide and 2 feet tall, I did cut out the drywall and install backer board of the same thickness. This was to give that large area of tile something to stick onto.

On smaller areas, I didn't bother removing the drywall. It was not painted, and I gave it a light sanding to rough up the paper a little.

The key part was I used acryllic-modified mortar mix, instead of normal water-mixed mortar. The acryllic ad-mix is supposed to be "stickier", adhering better to a surface like drywall.

I would not use 1/4" drywall if I were you... you need a solid, non-flexible backing so the tile doesn't crack if you bump into it. The tile and mortar will add some of their own stiffness but they need a decently solid backing.

If you're doing a small area, you'll probably be fine keeping the drywall. It may not be what a pro contractor would do, but mine is holding up fine and is very sturdy (I've bumped into it plenty of times with pots/pans).

Best of luck, j.

[glavine]

As Long As Your Drywall Is Clean And Free Of Any High Gloss Paint Or Grease Your Fine To Apply The Tile Straight To The Drywall, And Id Use A Pre Mix Mastic To Set The Tile In.
Hope That Helps , Nichols Trim And Carpentry

[DavidFallows]

Thanks for all the advice ill let you know how it turns out... will be a couple weeks before I tie into it but ill let you know..
David