Find your studs in the wall Before I tiled the backsplash wall in my kitchen, I marked where the studs are on the ceiling. In 12-24 hours, you'll be ready to relax in your new bathroom haven, whether you use your shelves for setting the mood with candles and plants, or for the practicality of keeping essential bathroom stuff handy. Sugru Mouldable Glue is ideal for this project because it bonds well with metals, ceramics and wood. Use your caulk to fill in any gaps along the top edge between the wood and the tile. Read on to see how I did it, with a few supplies and some help from my local TrueValue hardware store. What kind of material is your tile? Note: Once you open a single-use pack of Sugru, it cannot be resealed. Hanging something on a tile wall is easyif you're lucky enough to catch a stud, that is. But basically, youll be screwing the shelf brackets into the substrate (whatevers behind the wall covering usually drywall or plaster). "USD" : "" }}, {{line_item.name}}, {{line_item.group_name}}, {{ savings | currency(order.currency_symbol) }} {{ order.currency === 'USD' ? You dont want to do this with a drill and overtighten them (you could shatter the tile). That was a little bit different since there was no tile above it, but we used a bullnose to cap it off and create a clean look. Doesnt seem as thought it would stay just being glued to the wall but youve shown in your home that it does work. Finish tiling resting your next row of tile directly on top of the shelf. Make sure that your brackets are level during this step! We walk you through how it's done. Hosted by Liquid Web, *This site contains ads and affiliate links*, #162: What Sherrys Not Buying For An Entire Year, #163: Our Next Big Project (Its REALLY BIG). Wipe the tile bit clean, and bore the next mounting hole. Depending on size, one of those can carry up to 300 pounds, but the mounting hole they require ranges from to inch, as opposed to 3/16 inch for the AF5. How to Build a Boardwalk: A Step-by-Step Guide, How to Make PemmicanThe Survival Superfood, The Complete Guide to Basic Woodworking Tools. Once somewhat secure, you can release it. Screw the bracket plates in by hand! Prepare your shelf by cutting it to size and then staining it in your color of choice. 'USD' : '' }}, {{ subTotalWithDiscount | currency(order.currency_symbol) }} {{ order.currency === 'USD' ? If you keep the bit cool (by dipping it in water), youll lessen the chances of chipping the glass. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. It saved me a lot of time too! PRO-TIP: Lay down a strip of masking tape before you drill. If you're not, you'll need to use a hollow wall anchor to keep your new shelf in place. Then, drill slowly, without applying too much force. For the corners, we just cut the tile to notch around the wood. 'USD' : '' }}, Add bathroom accessories without drilling, Improve your Small Bathroom by Adding No Drill Accessories. "Whatever you do, bore the right-size hole for the anchor, and that's whatever the manufacturer recommends," New York carpenter Bob Lucchesi says. Roll the small ball of Sugru into a line and stick it evenly around the circumference of your handrail where it's going to come into contact with the wall! How we test gear. But after the four-thousandth time I knocked a domino-ish chain of plastic containers into the tub, I began to see her reasoning. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. If you have an Ikea theyre only $15 each! Start slowly as the bit cuts into the glazed surface; pick up speed as you cut through the tile. I think that will be an evolving process for us but for starters it is SO nice to have commonly used dishes right above the dishwasher (instead of on the counter on the opposite side of the kitchen where they were for months before we did the tiling and shelves). In my honest opinion, I was nervous that they were going to feel loose or flimsy once installed and they are shockingly solid. Transforming dated doors with paint and hardware (step-by-step and video). Boschs new bits have a small flute that ejects debris from the hole better than the spear-point. Third Party Cookies, {{line_item.original_price | currency(order.currency_symbol)}}, {{line_item.price | currency(order.currency_symbol) }} {{ order.currency === "USD" ? Wipe off any access caulk around your wood with a wet sponge. You risk creating a leak through the wall. This is exactly what I was looking for! "Even a slightly different hole size from what the manufacturer recommends can cause the anchor to pull loose.". No matter how youre screwing the brackets it, you want to pre-drill the holes through the tile. Laundry Room Makeover: DIY Plywood Countertop, Laundry Room Makeover: Art Inspired by Emily Jeffords, How to Create Long, Deep, & Thin Floating Shelves, How to Smooth Countertop Edges with a Router, How to Prep Kitchen Walls for a Tile Backsplash, Landscaping Around the A/C Unit (almost done!). Sugru sets in 12-24 hours. Add another layer of caulking where the tile meets the wood if needed. I used the5/16 in. Some older types of plaster and lath are all but impossible to drill through with anything other than a masonry bit. Head over to our Projects & Inspiration page for more great ideas. It's murderously abrasive and can easily scratch a wood floor. If you were starting from scratch with plans to backsplash AND hang floating shelves, would you do the shelves first of the tile first? Boschs new glass-and-tile bit (bottom; about $17 for a four-piece set) is more robustly built to resist breakage and wear when drilling through tile and into plaster and lath.The traditional spear-point bit lacks any means to clear debris from the drill hole. A floating shelf on a tile wall doesnt have to scare you anymore! document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2021 BREPURPOSED. Today were going to show you how to install floating shelves over Tile. When it came to the design for our half bathroom, I was inspired by Hawks nursery which meant I wanted a wall to wall shelf splitting the green and white tile. Itll give your drill bit something to bite in to so it doesnt walk when you start drilling. First, stick a couple of pieces of painter's masking tape on the tiles to mark the desired location of the mounting holes. Earth Just Experienced Its Shortest Day Ever, Amaze Your Friends With This DIY Potato Cannon, The 11 Most Expensive Space Artifacts Ever Sold. For a neat finish, use the same process as you did for the handrail bracket, and leave to set. 1. I also ran a bead of silicone caulk over it before pushing it in, just to protect against water getting in behind the tile. And best of all, Sugru is removable! The size wood we used for our floating shelf was a 14. DIY, budget-friendly floating-look open shelves! I wouldnt go too much wider than that for this method! If youre drilling into glass, like me, keep a glass of water around to dip your drill bit in. Peel away the tape, and wipe up any tile dust before it gets tracked all over the house. Once the wall was tiled, I used painters tape to mark my studs vertically. Finally, use long screws (I think we used 2) to install the brackets into the studs. You'll need to leave the handrail bracket to set against the wall before attaching the shelf. Attach Shelves these shelves have a slot on the back side that you slide over the installed bracket. Depending on the thickness of the application, for load-bearing projects, allow up to 48 hours for Sugru to fully set. So, to make sure the shelf is sturdy, youll want to use an anchor (yknow those expandy plastic or metal things you use to mount stuff on drywall or plaster). Essential tutorial, 9 favorite modern traditional decor Instagram accounts, 10" deep board (we did three 30" out of an 8' long piece of pine that was about $15), Long black screws (we had a hard time finding black ones so ended up using 2.5" exterior screws), Short black screws (we bought two packages of bracket screw packs that come with long screws we didn't use), Diamond-tipped drill bit, 5/16" for regular size 8 or 9 screws (we used, Basic tools--masking tape, pen, measuring tape, level. By the way, we're not talking about mounting objects to walls that see constant water exposure. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. This will give it a polished look after youve grouted! We used it dry but if it starts to heat up a lot when youre drilling, you can spritz the area with water. Wear safety goggles! Each AF5 supports up to 79 pounds when used on tile mounted to -inch drywall. The shelves I got are from Ikea (LACK) but since I dont have an Ikea near by, I ordered them on Amazon Prime. Once slid over the bracket, insert the included screws in the holes on the bottom of each shelf and wrench to tighten them into place. They suggested a diamond-tipped bit. Caulk the bracket plates, then attached the brackets. That should be more than sufficient for a shelf or small cabinet. haha! Of course this probably wouldnt work on floating kitchen shelves if you need somewhere to put plates and other heavy things. Sugru sets to 1.5mm in 12 hours, 3mm in 24 hours, and thicker applications may take 2448 hours. Theyre more expensive but it would have cost me more to drive 2+ hours to Ikea and pay for gas and a babysitter. Note: Sugru works best when less than 3mm thick as it will set within 24 hours. But usually, you wont have a clue. Floating shelves are so popular right now, especially kitchen floating shelves, and there are so many different ways to install them. For all other applications, here's what to do. Pre drill your holes. For ceramic, a carbide or diamond-tipped bit should work. I brought my helper along to make the trip extra fun an extra inefficient.). Installing shelves over tile can be especially tricky but with a few tips and tricks, its really not very difficult at all! Top tip: Use masking tape to secure your shelves in place while your Sugru sets to ensure a strong bond between the brass and the wall. For the first step (attaching the bracket to the wall), you'll require a piece of Sugru rolled into a ball. Instead of a hole, these were marked with a diamond in the metal so that was super helpful. Popular Mechanics participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. This is why we recommend making two handrail brackets at once, using one single-use pack for attaching the handrail bracket to the wall and one single-use pack for attaching the shelf itself. DIY custom straight-sided vent hood with Zephyr insert, How to lay big hexagon tile! Finally, drive home your mounting screws. 6. Whatever the case, figure out the right drill bit to use. Install Brackets Next, I found the center of the wall and measured to find the center hole of the shelf brackets. Sometimes the convenience is worth the extra cost. The spear-point glass-and-tile bit (top) is fine for most jobs, such as tile over -inch drywall. The rest of my cabinets sit 17 above the countertop so this made the most sense to me. {{order.invisible_discount_code.friendly_name}}, {{order.delivery_method.free_shipping_uk - order.subtotal | currency(order.currency_symbol) }}, {{order.delivery_method.free_shipping_us - order.subtotal | currency(order.currency_symbol) }}, {{order.delivery_method.free_shipping_eu - order.subtotal | currency(order.currency_symbol) }}. If your wall is already tiled and its not an exterior wall, you can find the studs on the back side of the wall with a stud finder and measure where they are. 2. Decide on height and spacing spaced my shelves 13 apart and 17 above the countertop. Next, bore the holes using a high-quality glass-and-tile bit (see "Choosing a Tile Bit," below). Once you have your mark, use a diamond drill bit for drilling through tile. And he should know. 3. Bore all the way through the substrate to which the tile is mounted. 4. I used a molly bolt, which is an expanding metal anchor. Add a layer of glue with your heavy duty sealant on the top edge of your tile and on the back of your wood that will go against the wall. Ideal if you're living in rented accommodation or want to keep your tiles like new. Once your hole is drilled, insert the anchor. Using a felt-tip pen and a level, mark the exact position of the mounting holes on the tape, and double-check the position of whatever you're mounting by holding it in place. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Note that there are some substrates that will require you to switch to a masonry bit after you've drilled through the tile. A set of four costs $12 to $14. I mean, figuring out how to arrange and balance all those shampoo bottles and soap bars on the two-inch-wide edge or the tub is what kept me occupied during those boring morning showers. Would it work on just a flat wall, one not tiled, or does it need the stability of the edge of the tile underneath it? Ill have a tutorial ready for you on Monday. Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. Look at your shelfs mounting directions. : Week 3 of the One Room Challenge, How to hem IKEA curtains! MADE BY LINEN + LANE CREATIVE, While instagram is busy having a mid life crisis I, I dont know why it took me this long but Im, Ive become quite the little gardener and every, Ive been on the hunt for some salt + peppa shak. I stopped by my local TrueValue and asked the guys there what the recommended for drilling into glass. I put little vases, and some artwork on both of our floating shelves and the weight of them has never been an issue. Next, we drilled through the marble tile to make holes for the screws. Fortunately, installing a shelf in your shower is really easy. This a great option when you want to add a little more character to a space but dont want to worry about drilling into the wall. To achieve a neat finish, run a screwdriver around the edge to remove excess Sugru, before tidying it up with a tissue. Slow & steady is the name of the game; be patient! 'USD' : '' }}, {{ subTotal | currency(order.currency_symbol) }} {{ order.currency === 'USD' ? Now, the voice of reality: If only it were that easy. That's it for the construction part! Thanks! 5. The full floating shelf tutorial is now ready, too! If you know where your studs are, you can try to line up the shelf so the screws land in a stud. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, 9 Best Attic Fans for Keeping Your House Cool, How to Get Your Wood Trim Joints Just Right, 8 Super-Effective Ways to Soundproof a Room, The Best Oscillating Tools to Tackle Any Project, The Best Drywall Repair Kits (And How to Use Them). Install your tile up to the point where you want your shelf to go. For stone, try a masonry bit. If not, you can always move up to the company's unique toggle-bolt anchor, a product that's far easier to use than the standard variation. The top shelf is also 13 from the ceiling. If you dont plan on having a lot of weight on them, this method of installing a floating shelf between tile using no hardware is a great option. And for each bracket/shelf combo, you'll need to divide your Sugru into the proportions seen above. Rest your piece of wood on top of the tile and hold down firmly. The gold standard for hanging something on a tile wall is to catch a stud with each mounting screw. Ease into the hole. After the Sugru on the handrail has set, build a "chunky wedge" piece of Sugru into a prism shape on your handrail bracket, and press the coaster (or whatever you have chosen as your no drill shelf!) We've used a metal handrail with marble and slate coasters (and even a wooden cheeseboard!) Once everything is dry and your shelf is installed, if you give it a little tug, youll realize just how secure it is. I would suggest resting a long piece of wood up underneath it to keep it from falling off until its completely dry in place. The one we used up in our bathroom was a 16. Designed & Developed by SoloPine.com |, Ikea RAST Hack Campaign style nightstands. Now tap the appropriate hollow anchor into the wall. All rights reserved. Our shower surround is glass tile, which is a little unusual. Score This Wireless Meat Thermometer for Under $50, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Youll want to screw your brackets into at least one (if not more!) The tape reduces the likelihood of the tile bit moving off the location (known as walking). Thanks to True Value for sponsoring this post! Be absolutely certain thats where you want the hole; there isnt anyroom for error. Weve used this method once before in our master bathroom makeover when we put the floating shelf above the bathtub. I believe you can love your home just the way it is, AND have the power to design and make big changes to make it better.