“We will renovate your room within 3 hours.” This is the tagline of the Smart Tiles website. On this website you can find a variety of self-adhesive and removable tiles. I'm always wary of promising simplicity, as projects often include a lot of tools I'll never own, or the projects themselves aren't beginner-friendly.
However, on the Smart Tile website, the company's products are easy to install without messing (adhesive products for renters!) or special tools, are easy to clean, and don't require heat from a stove or a bathroom. It is said to be resistant to humidity. A quick search online also turned up some positive reviews. As a renter, I was able to reconfirm everything, so I decided to give it a try.
My partner and I immediately decided to test these on our kitchen backsplash, which had the familiar “Landlord's White” paint to renters. We were reassured by Smart's tile's claim that it would not damage the wall when removed, so we decided to tackle the project on a Saturday afternoon. We chose clean and sophisticated 'Subway White' tile to highlight the natural wood cabinetry and give it a more timeless feel.
When I found the Smart Tile package on my doorstep, I was surprised at how big it was. Inside the box were 42 tile sheets, each sheet measuring 10.95 inches x 9.70 inches. I opened the package and looked for the instructions, but quickly realized that they weren't included. However, his website for the company featured his four steps for installation. 1) Clean the walls. 2) Trace the guidelines. 3) Measure and cut. 4) Peel and stick. Sounds easy, right?
For smart tiles to properly adhere to a surface, the surface must be clean and dry. Embarrassingly, the longest and most difficult step in the process was cleaning the backsplash wall. It was covered in old grease, small oil droplets, and even dust in some areas, and it felt awful because it had been sitting for so long. So I grabbed some sponges and dry towels and followed these instructions to clean it up. After about an hour and a half of polishing, the tiles were ready to be attached to the wall.
Once the wall was clean and dry, I made sure I had enough tiles to cover the wall. I measured the tiles and decided to use about 25 tiles. I used a pencil to add some very thin guidelines to the wall to make sure it was going straight. According to Smart Tiles, the only materials needed are chalk or pencil (for drawing guides), a spirit level, and a cutter.
Cutting the tiles was easy. Use a ruler and a cutter to cut one side to match the corner of the wall. The tiles are very thin so this wasn't too difficult and got easier with each sheet.
The Smart Tile website has a useful video that explains how to install the tiles. Basically, fold back half of the protective paper, align the exposed adhesive part with the guide, and peel off the remaining protective paper while pushing. That was really it.
I made a mistake when applying the first smart tile sheet to the wall (it was slightly crooked) and had to remove it. As soon as I removed the corner, some of the paint came off the wall. Granted, we may not have the highest quality paint in our kitchen, but I was caught off guard when I saw paint chips on the glue. This contradicted Smart Tile's claim that removal would not damage the wall. (However, it is recommended to use a hair dryer to heat the adhesive before removing, but I did not test it.)
After a few sheets, I started to get the hang of the placement and it got easier with each sheet. I had to use basic geometry skills when placing around corners and outlet plates. In that step, I removed the plate and smartly traced his tile onto his sheet and measured it as accurately as possible to make sure it fit snugly in place. Luckily it worked and I was successful on the first try. This was the most difficult part of the installation.
The smart tile installation took about an hour to complete. I used about 25 pieces in total. For reference, here are the dimensions of the wall covered with smart tiles.
Once the smart tile installation was complete, it instantly felt like we had a brand new kitchen. The adhesive sheet dries quickly so there was no waiting time. Tiles add texture to previously lackluster walls and reflect some of the natural light into the space, making it even brighter.
Smart Tile claims that the sheets are easy to clean and maintain and won't yellow or crack. The gaps between each “tile” on the sheet are not very deep, so it is difficult for grease and other foreign objects to get stuck there.
Obviously, cost is an important factor to consider. In our case, we ordered 42 Subway White Sheets for a total of $335.58 ($7.99 each). I actually only used about 25 pieces and they cost me $199.75, but I recommend buying a few more. Depending on the installation method, smart tile installation can be more cost-effective than installing an actual tile backsplash because it doesn't require a professional. We think it's well worth the cost as it visually improves your kitchen and we've received compliments from our customers.
Related costs: 42 pieces cost $335.58, but since I only used 25 pieces, it cost me $199.75 without shipping.
Installation difficulty: It's easy, but requires a little more precision and patience to fit around corners and cut sheets over outlets.
Drying time and ease of removal: The tiles stuck to the wall quickly, and although I was able to remove them, I ended up damaging a few tiles when I readjusted them. The sheets seem solid and although only a few weeks old, there are no signs of them warping or peeling. A few weeks after installation, when I peeled the corner off the seat, the paint came off a bit (see above). I don't plan on removing it at the moment, so I reattached it to the wall, but the adhesive is still there.
Smart tiles are a great solution for those with no experience with home improvement projects, as they don't require a contractor or professional to install. Installation is easy and sticks firmly to the wall as promised.
The choices include more traditional patterns as well as some sleek, modern options (we also loved the Hexago seat). Smart His tiles are not completely renter friendly as some of the paint on the walls has peeled off several times. That downside aside, the kitchen is brighter and looks better than before, so we think it's worth the investment.
Have you used Smart Tile? I'd love to know how it turned out! Thinking about giving it a try? Give it a try and let us know what you think. Please post your question below before trying it.
