Installing Backsplash Tile with Musselbound Tile Adhesive

[@MrRhonda1970]

Ashley, I didn't see the link for your cube laser level . Can you please provide that?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Here you go: rstyle.me/+naoW1eAqRvXD5jwkZkrEkw

[@joannatorriente240]

Thank you for making this video simple and straight forward! You had great helpful tips that kept me from making mistakes that maybe others would not. The way you presented this tutorial made it very doable and it turned out great. Also, thank you for the links!

[@SusanPariseau]

I used muscle bound in my kitchen 5+ yrs ago and it is still holding strong.

[@mrsashleyfrench]

That's what I keep hearing from so many people! :)

[@epasternak4206]

Looks easier than the traditional way, and a time saver. Looks good Modern adhesive such as this will last for a long long time, no need to use old methods, infact there's glue on the market that is used for binding metal, usually the metal will give and rip before the actually adhesive. Google says that Lowe's carries this product.

[@milliemrrobinson1074]

This was very helpful! I'm hoping to put up a small backsplash in my kitchen and your video inspired me!

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Great to hear that! I am glad it was helpful!

[@tressatylenda4301]

Hey Ashley, I can’t find the link for the tile cutter set. Can you please repost it when you get the chance?

[@francescawest1165]

We just bought a house that has a vinyl tile peel-and-stick backsplash in the kitchen. Since there is a six-burner gas stove, I'm guessing that because of the heat from the stove, the vinyl tile won't last long. I dread the thought of re-tiling the area myself because of the mess, but this looks so much easier with the adhesive and tile cutter!! Thanks!

[@cherylcrockett223]

Link for the laser please

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Here you go: bit.ly/3IAIuwO

[@michellelayos7787]

We have some tile that is outdated from the previous owner. They did (thankfully!!) install with this product making removal MUCH easier… we’ve done some already under the microwave. The drywall did not take a beat. We will use this again when updating our backsplash. Thanks for the how-to tutorial!!! Beautiful work!

[@mrsashleyfrench]

I'm so happy to hear that it didn't damage the drywall!! :)

[@EdurtreG]

Hi. How is it keeping up after one year?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

It is still perfect with zero issues at all!

[@jfrederick71]

Great video! Thank you ❤

[@marcoscraft609]

Hey, Mrs. French. So I am going to be doing a backsplash in our kitchen with subway tiles. I have a few questions for you. (1) how long did your entire project take? I have two weeks to finish my project. The area I have to do is about 4 times wider than your but the height is about the same. (2) Did you use the tile spacers in between all tiles? (I suspect so based on how evenly spaced your final product looks). (3) For this project, did you ever have to cut a tile that was not just vertically but also horizontally also? (like to get around a lights switch) How well did it go? Sorry for all the questions. It is just I am good with hammer and nails and wood work but tile is foreign to me, I am a beginner. And when I do any project in the house, I want it done correctly the first time. Any advice you could give is greatly appreciated. (P.S. your finished product looks outstanding!!)

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Hi Marcos, It took me about 10-15minutes to attach the musslebound adhesive to the wall and then maybe another 1 hour to install all the tiles. You start slow but as you get the hang of it, you go faster. Yes I used the tile spacers that came with the Musselbound adhesive. I did have one tile that I had to cut both horizontally and vertically and I tried using this handheld tile cutter and it ended up breaking the tile. Then I used the tile cutter to then cut down the broken piece and had to push the tile and broken piece together (like a puzzle) and stick it to the adhesive where I needed the tile. Up close you can see that it is two pieces pushed together but from a distance you cannot. So I would not recommend using this hand held cutter for those intricate cuts. I have seen people use an angle grinder or Dremel to cut those intricate pieces if they don't have a tile saw. Or you could try renting a tile saw instead of purchasing one. Hope this helps!

[@wandapenner2461]

I know you may not need to do this, but with the thickness of tile. In a kitchen, would you have to switch out electrical outlets? If so, how would you know what to get?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Yes, you would need to get spacers to bump your outlets out to sit flush with the new tile. I'd recommend watching a couple videos on here showing how to do that and what to get. Unfortunately, I don't have my own video showing this :)

[@CS-wl5rv]

Did you need to seal the grout afterward? Thanks so much for this handy video

[@mrsashleyfrench]

I did not. The location of this, I don't have to worry about anything getting on them. If you are doing this in a kitchen, then I would recommend you do a grout sealer.

[@Jkitty7599]

Hi Ashley I was looking for the laser square you talked about. Thanks 😊

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Here is the link for it: rstyle.me/+naoW1eAqRvXD5jwkZkrEkw

[@todanator]

How did you cut the corners into the tile? Were you able to do that with the kit as well?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

I did use the kit but it was not ideal at all and I broke a few tiles before getting it right. That kit really is designed to only do straight line cuts. They do make these tile snippers that I would use if I did it again: amzn.to/3UQMIaK

[@vkhele]

Great video!! Thank u for putting in the tile cutter!! Game changer for me. Thought it could only be cut with a wet saw! Did U have any outlets u had to go around? How did u cut the tile for that?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

I did not have to cut around any outlets for this wall but I did have to cut around a plastic box which held the water lines for the washer. All the cuts happen to be straight line cuts so I was still able to use this tile cutter. I don't think this kind of tile cutter would work for intricate cuts, L-shaped cuts, or rounded cuts. It really only works for cutting a tile straight across.

[@sandyspears5369]

I just used this product for my kitchen backsplash. Works great, but very difficult with small tile sheets. I would recommend this product and will use it again

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Good to hear! I will definitely use it again as well!

[@Kt-cn2rq]

Yeah definetly easier with basic subway tiles or larger.

[@johng9562]

Lots of people having tiles fall off overnight. This product is just wrong ~ it defies time honored methods that have stood the test of time for centuries. JUST USE MORTAR!!!

[@ashleyfrench6558]

I'll definitely keep you all updated. We have not had any issues, zero tiles slipping or falling off. If that changes I will certainly do an update video. But for now, we are super happy with this stuff. Also, when I was installing the tile, I had pressed one to the musselbound adhesive and tried to pull it off and I could not pull it off whatsoever as hard as I tried. The tile was permanently stuck to the mat.

[@MyZzooee]

Are you single?

[@chrisconner9595]

AI your voice

[@JasonRauschelbach]

This was awesome! Would a piping bag work for putting the grout in, too? How would you finishbtje top off of this was a kitchen backslash? Thank you for this great content!

[@dorothyweekes32]

Hey Mrs. French, Great job on tutorial. where l can get tile cutter and musselbound tape? Thanks

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Thank you! I have everything linked in the description below the video :) These links should work for you: MusselBound Adhesive Mat: bit.ly/3DyjUJo Tile Cutter Kit: bit.ly/3dyD72Q

[@southsidesauce1261]

What color are those kitchen cabinets beautiful

[@diy_bulshit6153]

Nice video and you are super cute.

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Thank you :)

[@jimbrown1994]

Hello nice video, I'm looking for the link you mentioned for the laser cube level, can't seem to find it, thanks

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Sorry about that, here is the link: rstyle.me/+naoW1eAqRvXD5jwkZkrEkw

[@olgasepulveda2965]

Ashley, do you think that Mussel Bond should work for a bathroom ( I would like to use it behind the toilet) thanks

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Yes absolutely! It works great on walls! The only place I would not use it is inside a shower on shower walls.

[@keithcurran-tc2dw]

Does it stay on when it gets hot

[@mrsashleyfrench]

It's behind our dryer and we haven't had any issues at all.

[@troynewman544]

HUGE Helpful!!! Thanks so much!

[@ashleyfrench6340]

You're welcome!

[@Heiswithher]

There's reviews on some of the websites about tile falling off and the backing pulling away from the walls....how's yours holding up?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

I have had zero issues with mine and it's been a year and a half.

[@Heiswithher]

@@mrsashleyfrench thank you 😊

[@billycarolpfeiffer1683]

I can’t find the link for the tile cutter. This video is very helpful. Any hints for cutting around outlets? We are going to be first-timers.

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Here is the link for the tile cutter: www.amazon.com/dp/B085ZWSGF2/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&tag=ashleyfrenc-1-sc-20 This type of tile cutter really is just for straight line cuts and really isn't for intricate cuts so it will depend on the size and shape of the tile you are using. I used large subway tile and I was able to just cut my tiles straight down to fit around the plastic box on the wall that held the waterlines for our washer.

[@Gnolrokvr]

Thank you for this video. I’m about to use this product on our kitchen.

[@freshtaheela8563]

Can i use this product for kitchen and my stove is near to wall ?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Yes, the Musselbound website says it's most common use is for kitchen backsplashes and it can be used behind a stove.

[@shannonmarie6227]

Do you know if you can use the mussel bound over existing kitchen backsplash? Thank you! 💜

[@mrsashleyfrench]

If the existing backsplash is super flat and smooth then I think you could. The musselbound is super sticky and will definitely stick to existing tile.

[@missgold6305]

is the musclebound mat removable? i live in a rental and want to remove it when I leave

[@ashleyfrench6558]

No, it is not removable. It would pull off your drywall if you tried to remove it. They make actual peel and stick faux tile backsplashes that are removable. Try Amazon.

[@lindsayraynielsen324]

I am going to be tiling above a countertop that will have open shelves above it. Do I need any kind of metal edge where the tile meets the shelving or when I stop the tile on the ends of the wall?

[@ashleyfrench6340]

This is totally a preference. Some people do an edge made of metal or tile at the end of the wall and some do not. In our last home we got a super skinny long tile called a 'tile pencil trim' to do at the edge where we ended our tile backsplash and it matched the backsplash and looked great. As far as where the tile meets the shelf, we ran our tile on the whole entire wall and then came back with a special screw and drilled right through the tile backsplash and put our floating shelves over our tile backsplash.

[@AnnaLaurasZone]

Ashley, can you do an update if that adhesive mat held up?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

I definitely want to do a follow up video soon but I can tell you that it is 100% perfect still today after 2 years! :)

[@coty.thompson]

How is the backsplash holding up? Thanks!

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Perfectly! It’s been over a year and zero issues at all.

[@dwee2244]

Great job in tiling!! You just gave me confidence and knowledge to tackle my backsplash. What laser lever are you using?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Thank you! I am using the Ryobi Cube level. It's a great beginner, affordable level. Here is the link: rstyle.me/+naoW1eAqRvXD5jwkZkrEkw

[@jamesdixon7115]

Has anyone used musselbound to stick up a stainless steel sheet?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

I haven't tried that but I don't see why it wouldn't work :)

[@jadc4050]

Thank you for the video! Very helpful

[@DawnalynForrest]

Can you put this on new drywall, unprimed?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

I think so! I’d just make sure the surface is free from dust. This musselbound is extremely sticky and I believe it will stick to almost anything!

[@wch4972]

May i know whether all tiles are suitable or needs to use this adhesive-specific tiles?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

I just used regular tiles. The adhesive mat says you can use any kind of tile you want up to a certain size tile.

[@wch4972]

@@mrsashleyfrench thx

[@lynnecatanese4942]

Hi. Great video but I don't see the link to the cube level you used?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Sorry about that, here you go: rstyle.me/+naoW1eAqRvXD5jwkZkrEkw

[@januaryheights]

Great 👍 video

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Thank you so much!

[@mattng87]

I saw you used individual tiles, which is what I'm planning on doing it. Were your tiles flat on the back?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

The tiles came with a mess glued to them which I pulled off. The tiles had a bit of texture on the back of them and were not perfectly smooth. They still worked great with the adhesive.

[@Kt-cn2rq]

If you using matting with little tile you might have to take them off some say it doesn't stay very well with matting backsplashes.

[@kellywalker7877]

thank you soooooooooooooooomuch!

[@robbievalen4364]

I want to try this so bad because it seems easy for a beginner like myself, but I am petrified when it gets to the electrical outlets. Thanks!

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Hi there! You would want to have a plan for how to cut the tiles when you get around the outlets. The little tile cutter tool I share in this video would work pretty well for smaller sized tiles. They also make tile snips that are basically big pliers and you can use those to chip away at a tile to cut it down to fit around an outlet. This is all of course if you are trying to avoid a tile cutter saw :)

[@robbievalen4364]

@@mrsashleyfrench thank you so much for the info

[@LPEIL]

So you did not use the MusselBound seam tape?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

I actually didn’t know it existed. But I had the seams so tight together that I didn’t have any issues here. I will look into using it for next time!

[@dianeelwood8542]

Nice job thanks .

[@tywlala]

Awesome! You did an amazing job!❤

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Thank you so much!

[@bigpoppa5759]

How is the Mussell Bound holding up?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

We have not had a single issue with it!

[@eightysevencustoms]

What a nifty little product.

[@RajeshKumar-pk5qz]

Nice video with a lot of information! What’s the life of the adhesive?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

It should last forever. The product doesn’t list that it has a short-life.

[@mlmattin]

Thanks for this. I have been wondering about this Musselbound stuff. Question: How forgiving is this stuff? I mean, if I misplaced a tile and need to adjust it am I able to do that? Or is it so sticky that once you touch the tile to it, it's instantly stuck for good?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

It really is so sticky that you cannot remove a tile once stuck to the musclebound. I had one tile that was a bit off and I tried pulling it off and I pulled so hard that the musclebound started to pull away from the drywall. So I just stopped and left that tile how it was. In the end, that one tile didn't mess up the whole wall too bad (luckily).

[@Kt-cn2rq]

Don't push on it. You can move it along as you don't push on it with the grout trowel. We also have one a little crooked but oh well it's in the corner 😄

[@jerryboy5876]

Does that muscle bound hold well?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Extremely well. I couldn’t pull a tile off of it once I pressed it on no matter how hard I tried. It’s been over a year since I installed them and it’s still perfect.

[@rothmcintire3349]

Me either

[@mon2dan]

Hi Ashley, I'm Candy and I just stumbled on your channel and soooooooooooo happy I did! My first project I plan to do is do the board and batten in my home office! 🤞that is comes out like yours did! LOL! I also want to do the tile backsplash in my laundry room as you did, what an amazing idea! I LOVE IT!! Can you tell me boards or style is on the other walls? I would like something like that as well. Thanks your new subscriber from Alabama, Candy

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Hi Candy! Are you asking what boards I used on the board and batten wall? Or the laundry room wall?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

@@mon2dan Oh yes, beadboard paneling. I have some video of that saved in two different highlights on my Instagram titled 'Laundry Room' and then I have a full, in-depth tutorial video available on my website. :)

[@mangachanfan1556]

Hello Ms Ashley. This was a good video. I got a lot of helpful tips. I know it's relatively new, but any update on the status of your wall? Are they holding up well?? Only asking because my Brother in law is in construction and he suggested that I use mortar (but then again hes the kind of old-school, "don't like the new technique stuff" handy man from your dad''s generation lol) but these seem way easier for a beginner. I just wanted to know if they are reasonably durable in the long run..

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Hi there! It is holding up perfectly and we have not had a single issue with the tile whatsoever. It is in a spot that does not get touched by anyone or anything. I follow a couple people on Instagram that have used this stuff for their kitchen backsplashes and one used it for an entire wall, floor to ceiling behind a mirror in their bathroom and they say it’s holding up too. I think if your tile is going somewhere that won’t have any water touching it or constant rubbing on the tile (like furniture maybe) that this is an excellent solution. I personally would not use this in a shower or tub surround or on the walls of a mudroom where kids may be banging up against it. But for backsplashes, it’s perfect.

[@mangachanfan1556]

@@mrsashleyfrench Hi! Thank you so much for your reply. I was wondering how they've held up so far.. Hubby and I are probably going to be doing this in a kitchen area, where the heat and moisture levels will be higher than that of a laundry room, but I _still_ wanted your opinion lol. Thanks so much for your video. It was very helpful! xoxox from FL

[@mrsashleyfrench]

@@mangachanfan1556 I think this stuff will work great in a kitchen. I've seen it used in a kitchen with a backsplash by a ton of people on Instagram. I would use it on my own kitchen backsplash. :)

[@pennyg6581]

Can you use this where water will hit it? Like in a shower?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

The product says it can be used on shower walls and places where water splashes or steams up but CANNOT be used on shower floors or where water would collect and be sitting on for any amount of time.

[@pennyg6581]

@@mrsashleyfrench thank you! That’s fantastic information! I appreciate the help!

[@mcshopOT]

What is the tile cutter kit you used?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

It’s a little handheld cutter. It’s great for straight cuts but does not work for intricate cuts. Link: rstyle.me/cz-n/f3gyneckq2x

[@mariallknowing9273]

Can it be used on textured walls?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Yes it can! The adhesive is crazy sticky and can stick to anything.

[@Kt-cn2rq]

How it holding up? We did ours not too bad.

[@mrsashleyfrench]

It’s been 9 months since I installed it and have had zero issues. It’s in a place where it doesn’t get touched also.

[@Kt-cn2rq]

​@@mrsashleyfrench we did the kitchen with it works well. No problems near the stove or behind the sink. Just seal the grout and around the edges like supose to and no problems.

[@mrsashleyfrench]

@@Kt-cn2rq that's great to hear! Thank you for sharing the update!

[@bmac7039]

This was a pretty neat idea... good job!

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Thank you!

[@wch4972]

excellent lady

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Thank you!

[@jayk8659]

Best video out there

[@mrsashleyfrench]

Thank you!!

[@mannyguillen3603]

I am thinking of doing my kitchen but my walls have a knockdown texture. Does the wall have to be smooth before using the adhesive matt?

[@mrsashleyfrench]

The adhesive is extremely sticky and will stick to knockdown no problem. However, if you are using just a flat tile (like a traditional subway tile) I think your tiles will not all be laying flat on the wall due to the knockdown. If you are using an imperfect tile like a Zellige tile then I think you will be fine with them not all laying flat since that is how Zellige looks. You may want to do a thin skim coat on the texture first to get a flat surface to work on.

[@mannyguillen3603]

@@mrsashleyfrench thank you very much, I am doing a Zellige tile because my walls have a slight bow to them :/ if I try any type of smooth surface tile, it'll be even more noticeable...

[@johnzond]

What a waste of money and time get it done right and be done with it

[@mangachanfan1556]

Did you use this product? What did you think? Im curious about your comment.. How was it a waste of time/money? Do they not last?

[@ginbalcius5704]

@@mangachanfan1556 sounds like a dude just upset about a woman doing a job in half the time just as well as him maybe better 😅

[@mangachanfan1556]

@@ginbalcius5704 I responded to his comment with a genuine question... But yeah.. after not getting reply back for so long I came to the conclusion he's just a salty troll lol 🙄

[@bigpoppa5759]

I’m sure this guy is just pissed because a company found an easier, more economical way than his overpriced job he offers for DIY’ers.