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What Surfaces Can You Install Peel and Stick Smart Tiles On?

There are some surfaces that are not suitable for installing peel and stick Smart Tiles on and which may even prevent the tiles from sticking on the wall or backsplash. This is why it’s important to be careful when choosing the type of surface for Smart Tiles. Here is an overview of the surfaces that we recommend or advise against for installing peel and stick backsplash.

 

Recommended Surfaces for Peel and Stick Smart Tiles

 

Peel and stick Smart Tiles may be installed without any problem on any smooth undamaged surface. So, a non-textured wall or backsplash is perfect for Smart Tiles because the tiles will have an excellent grip.

 

Here is a partial list of ideal surfaces for Smart Tiles:

  • painted gypsum (the paint must have been applied at least 21 days before), 
  • smooth ceramic tiles backsplash, 
  • smooth glass tiles backsplash,
  • wall panel (acrylic), 
  • wall linoleum, 
  • mirror, 
  • wallpaper (if some corners are peeling, just peel them off and install Smart Tiles over them).



Smooth ceramic tiles with small joints are perfect for peel and stick Smart Tiles

The smooth ceramic tiles with small joints and grout lines are perfect for peel and stick Smart Tiles.

 


No extra preparation is needed on a smooth surface. With a good cleaning, peel and stick Smart Tiles will stick on your kitchen or bathroom backsplash for as long as you want.

 

Surfaces that are Not Recommended for Peel and Stick Smart Tiles

 

Some kinds of surfaces can compromise the adherence of the peel and stick wall tiles and others may take away from the beauty of the backsplash. This is why we recommend avoiding certain types of walls.

 

Dusty and Porous Surfaces

 

Dusty, porous or crumbling surfaces will harm the durability of Smart Tiles. On these kinds of walls, the tiles will stick to the dust before adhering to the surface. The peel and stick tiles won’t completely bond to the wall and risk falling on your kitchen or bathroom floor!

 

Here is a partial list of dusty and porous surfaces that are not recommended:

 

  • stucco wall,
  • brick wall,
  • stone wall,
  • unfinished wall (gypsum or plaster),
  • unpainted plywood.



Peel and Stick Smart Tiles Surfaces Installation Peel and stick Smart Tiles Surfaces Installation
Stucco Stone (source)
   
Peel and stick Smart Tiles Surfaces Installation Peel and stick Smart Tiles Surfaces Installation
Gypsum (source) Plywood (source)
 
 
 

Peel and stick Smart Tiles won’t stick properly on most porous surfaces but, with extra preparation they will.

 

Uneven Surfaces and Walls with Reliefs (raised or textured)

 

It is also not recommended to install Smart Tiles on a dented, damaged surface or one with reliefs, like uneven ceramic backsplash tiles.

 

With these types of surfaces, it is the esthetics of the backsplash that you have to be careful with. If the reliefs or recesses are big, the imperfections will be hard to cover up with Smart Tiles.



This backsplash relief will appear on some peel and stick Smart Tiles’ model
On this wall, the relief will appear on some Smart Tiles models, but others will hide it.



The unevenness of a ceramic backsplash will be more or less visible depending on the Smart Tiles model.

 

The wall’s imperfections will be really apparent with plain Smart Tiles like Subway White. The different texture levels will be quickly visible and will ruin the beauty of the backsplash.

 

On the other hand, Smart Tiles with many colors and textures will hide small reliefs on the wall. The imperfections will remain, but they won’t be really visible; many people won’t notice them at all.

 

However, if the reliefs are quite thick, they risk remaining visible regardless of which peel and stick Smart Tiles model you use. So, it is not recommended to install Smart Tiles on a wall with thick reliefs.



Too much in relief in this backsplash to install Smart Tiles.
The blue stripe sticks out too much to install Smart Tiles.



Regardless of the type of relief and unevenness, Smart Tiles will stick on the wall. However, for the beauty of the room, it is very important to choose your Smart Tiles model carefully and to analyse the surface before installing peel and stick tiles on:

 

  • ceramic or glass tiles with deep joints or thick reliefs,
  • dented or badly installed ceramic.
 

Places Where Peel and Stick Smart Tiles are Not Recommended

 

Peel and stick Smart Tiles should not be installed where they may be submerged in water or used as a working surface. It is also inadvisable to put them where they will be in direct contact with steam or flames.

 

So, it is not recommended to install Smart Tiles:

 

  • in the shower,
  • on the countertop,
  • on the floor,
  • on the ceiling.

 

Despite these constraints, Smart Tiles can be installed in a bathroom, kitchen or on a fireplace mantel.



Fireplace decoration with peel and stick wall tiles



If you have other questions about installation surfaces, don’t hesitate to send us pictures of your wall. Our experts will help you find the best solution ([email protected]). Also, visit our Installation page and our FAQ for other installation tips.

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