How to Install Faux Brick Backsplash | No-Mortar Wall Panels

A faux brick backsplash installs in a day with construction adhesive or peel-and-stick backing, no mortar required.

Installing a faux brick backsplash delivers the look of exposed masonry without the weight, mess, or skill that real brick demands. The panels go up over drywall, tile, or plywood in a straightforward sequence: prep the wall, plan the layout, cut the panels, and fasten them with the method your specific product calls for. Here’s the whole process, from the first cleaning wipe to the last caulk bead.

Prep Your Wall Before Anything Else

A faux brick backsplash only looks good if the surface behind it is clean and stable, because both adhesive-mounted and screw-mounted panels will fail on a greasy or uneven wall. Wash the area with a degreaser and rinse it well, then let it dry completely.

Check the wall for level before you start, since crooked panels are nearly impossible to correct once bonded. Fill any holes or joints with wood filler or Bondo, and let those patches dry. On glossy existing tile, lightly sand the surface to give the adhesive something to grip, but skip the sanding on painted drywall unless the paint is oil-based — sanding latex paint can create a dusty surface that weakens adhesion. Decorative Ceiling Tiles specifically advises against sanding unless your wall paint is oil-based. Some panel manufacturers also recommend letting faux brick panels acclimate in the room for about 24 hours before installation, which lets the material adjust to your home’s temperature and humidity.

Plan the Layout and Cut the Panels

Measure each backsplash section and mark a level reference line so your first row sets the alignment for everything above it. Dry-fit the full panels in place before you commit with adhesive, which lets you spot awkward cuts around outlets and corners while the pieces are still easy to move.

Cutting faux brick panels takes the right tool for the job. A standard circular saw handles the long straight cuts, and Decorative Ceiling Tiles recommends a blade with at least 80 teeth for clean paneling edges. For the smaller openings around outlets and switches, a jigsaw or a sharp utility knife works better for tracing and cutting those shapes. GenStone’s faux brick panels cut cleanly with a standard circular saw, and its system installs with screws rather than cement or mortar.

Turn off the power at the breaker and remove outlet and switch covers before you cut around electrical boxes. This is a safety measure first, but it also gives you a clean opening to trace. After the panels are up, you’ll reinstall the plates over the finished surface.

Fasten the Panels the Right Way for Your Wall

The attachment method depends on your product and your wall type. DIY faux brick guides commonly use construction adhesive applied to the back of each panel, pressed firmly against the clean wall. Peel-and-stick products rely on their adhesive backing and need a clean, dry surface to bond properly —

Wall material changes the game. On drywall, construction adhesive or peel-and-stick backing handles the job well. On concrete block or masonry, adhesive alone often won’t hold, and Decorative Ceiling Tiles specifies TapCon screws for concrete block walls. If you’re installing over existing tile, clean and lightly sand the tile first to help the new panels adhere, as one DIY source advises. If you want to compare options before buying, our roundup of the best faux brick backsplash panels breaks down which systems suit which walls.

Finish the Edges and Reinstall the Covers

Once every panel is bonded and the adhesive has set, caulk the seams between panels and along any exposed cut edges. This step hides the joints and keeps moisture from working its way behind the backsplash. In a kitchen, the finished surface will face cooking splatter and regular cleaning, so sealing the surface is worth doing if your product didn’t come pre-sealed.

Reinstall the outlet and switch plates over the new backsplash, then restore power at the breaker. Your faux brick backsplash is done — no mortar, no trowel, no weeks of waiting for thin-set to cure.

The most frequent failure points are all avoidable: skipping the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific panel system, bonding to a dirty or uneven wall, and not dry-fitting before you cut. Take the extra ten minutes on prep and layout, and your faux brick backsplash will look like it was always part of the wall.