The order a tile backsplash goes up

A backsplash goes up off reference lines, not the countertop: snap a plumb center and a level line, comb thinset one direction with a notched trowel, press tiles with spacers, then cut tiles to notch around outlets and finished edges.

What this diagram shows

A four-panel walkthrough of tile-backsplash install order. Panel 1: a plumb centerline and a level reference line are snapped on the wall above a countertop drawn slightly out of level. Panel 2: a notched trowel combs thinset into ridges running one direction. Panel 3: tiles are pressed onto the thinset in courses with spacers holding even joints at the corners. Panel 4: a tile is notched around an electrical outlet box, with a dashed score-and-snap cut line and the power off.

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<figure style="margin:0;max-width:800px">
  <a href="https://remodelcalculators.com/construction-diagrams/backsplash-install-sequence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
    <img src="https://remodelcalculators.com/illustrations/backsplash-install-sequence.svg" alt="A four-panel walkthrough of tile-backsplash install order. Panel 1: a plumb centerline and a level reference line are snapped on the wall above a countertop drawn slightly out of level. Panel 2: a notched trowel combs thinset into ridges running one direction. Panel 3: tiles are pressed onto the thinset in courses with spacers holding even joints at the corners. Panel 4: a tile is notched around an electrical outlet box, with a dashed score-and-snap cut line and the power off." width="800" height="560" style="width:100%;height:auto;border:0" loading="lazy">
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    Diagram: <a href="https://remodelcalculators.com/construction-diagrams/backsplash-install-sequence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The order a tile backsplash goes up</a> — courtesy of <a href="https://remodelcalculators.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RemodelCalculators.com</a>
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