Matted Aspect Installation
Read this installation manual in its entirety before you start. There is additional
information on this product and installation at AspectIdeas.com. If you have doubts
about doing this installation, you should contact a qualied contractor, carpenter or
professional installer.
Tools and supplies needed:
• Protective eyewear or safety goggles
• Measuring tape
• Straightedge or Speed Square
®
• Pencil or other nonpermanent marker
• Soft cloth
• Chalk line
• Level (2’ to 4’)
• Fine-grit sandpaper (400–600 grit)
• Caulk gun and caulk or Aspect trim (optional)
If cutting tiles, one of the following tools will be needed:
• Jig saw (recommended)
• Safety gloves
• Masking tape
• Miter box or chop saw (for straight cuts only)
• Hole saw or coping saw (for circular cuts or
electrical outlet cutouts only)
Before you begin
Installing Aspect peel & stick matted metal tiles is a simple, exciting project that adds
instant style to your kitchen or bath. We have deliberately overexplained the tile
installation. Have fun with this project. It’s going to be easy and look great!
The adhesive on the back side of the
Aspect tiles is engineered to be both
highly-aggressive and pressure-sensitive.
Proper wall preparation is required. Aspect
can be installed over most structurally sound
substrates if they are clean, at, smooth, dry,
and free of dust, wax, soap scum and grease.
Acceptable substrates are drywall, plaster
or clean, smooth tile (glazed, porcelain type
tile; not porous or textured). Any damaged,
loose or uneven areas must be repaired,
patched, leveled and primed. Fill cracks and
irregularities with wallboard compound or
spackling, then sand smooth
with ne-grit sandpaper.
Occasionally, even after properly preparing the substrate, the surface can still have
bows, high spots, ridges, or uneven areas. Place a level against the wall. If there is
a 1/8” gap or greater, use a ller such as spackling or drywall compound to ll in
imperfections.
Allow the tiles and substrate to come to room temperature (65 to 100 degrees F.)
before installation.
Layout
Measure the rst area to be covered by Aspect material. We recommend you lay out
the entire project on a at surface, like the counter top, a table or the oor, before
adhering to the substrate, to be sure you have enough tiles and your design and
layout is correct. This will also give you good reference as to how the tiles will look on
your wall.
As each project is different, be sure to plan for cutouts, corners or edge treatments
before applying tiles.
One popular layout method is to begin from the inside corner of your counter and
work across left to right. This method allows you to use two points of reference,
your vertical wall and horizontal counter top. Note — when using these two points
of reference, be sure to check them for level on the horizontal plane and 90°on the
vertical plane. This will prevent any problems as you build your backsplash.
Lay a 4’ level on top of your counter top or backsplash return lip if you have one. If the
counter is level, use it as your reference. If not, identify the high point(s) of the counter
top. Draw a horizontal line using your level and snap a reference line to indicate the
high point. Snap a reference line to indicate the top of the rst row of tiles. The top
edge of the rst row will be installed along this line. Use a level or measuring tape to
mark the vertical termination point of your installation.
Installing your rst tile
Here’s where the fun begins. Be sure the substrate is clean and dry. Remove the
adhesive liner from the back of the matted tile. Align the tile where you want it on the
reference lines.
DO NOT bend tiles backwards as it could
permanently stretch and misshape the tile
matting.
Lightly place the tile onto the wall using
your reference lines. DO NOT apply
pressure to the tile until you are sure of
your placement.
The aggressive design of the adhesive does
not allow for repositioning after pressing
rmly. If it is in the right position, rmly apply
even pressure across the entire tile.
When applying subsequent tiles, rst “dry t”
the tiles with the adhesive liner in place to
ensure proper t. Dry t tile against the wall
exactly where it will be placed. Place each
section as if placing a puzzle piece.
Mark
horizontal
and
vertical
reference
points
jig saw
The adhesive on the back side of the
Aspect tiles is engineered to be both
highly-aggressive and pressure-
sensitive
DO NOT bend the tile backwards
Lightly place the tile onto the wall
Measure,
map out,
and mark
where the
cut must be
made
Cut the tile
using the
recom-
mended
cutting
tools
Caulking the counter top seam
Use sand-
paper or a
small metal
le to de-
bur sharp
edges
Do not apply pressure until you are sure
of your placement
Place each section as if placing a
puzzle piece