I’m not sure why the previous owner decided on the dark grout color…. The boards are made from water-repellent gypsum and are covered by water-resistant paper. It was definitely a fun kitchen renovation project. Mellissa, even if you don’t end up with subway tiles you still will be able to follow our easy DIY steps to renovate your kitchen. There are so many cool subway tile installation patterns. Better said, let’s put the wives together so they can DIY. So just grabbed the first tile and lined it up with the beginning of the right edge close to the floor. Cutting a subway tile with a wet saw is so much easier and time saver. Ceramic Modular Wall Tile (12.5 sq. But if you have tile that is larger than 1 in. Vertically there wasn’t much to decide, I’ve started with full height tiles along the top of the granite backsplash. I hope you’ll remember to look up this post and follow our steps. If you scroll back up, you can see this kitchen already has a subway tile pattern with the most common one (number 3 on the pix above). How to Install a Subway Tile Backsplash. To make your layout lines, start by drawing two vertical lines for the offset rows. in diameter, you will likely need to make U-shape notch and corner cuts for outlets and cabinet edges. Use a smooth, uniform stroke to avoid getting lumps in the adhesive surface. This is a clean and classic layout for subway tiles on walls and floors. I can’t wait to do this too my kitchen when I buy a house. BUT, we had less than 27 square feet wall to work on. Eye protection; Fresh drywall; Drywall tape; Joint compound The subway tile backsplash provides a sense of sophistication that will never go out of style. . Thank you, Tracy. Eventually, on edges that butted up to a cabinet or window where tiles needed to be cut to fit, we ended up leaving an uneven gutter and assumed it wasn't a big deal since we'd be filling the gaps with grout or caulk later. So we decided we won’t complicate things and followed the same pattern. If you need to protect cabinets, counters, etc. Line up your halfway mark with the middle of a manual tile snapper, shiny side up. This pattern offsets tile joints so they are centered in the middle of all adjoining tiles. For this layout, you have to cut the tiles in half in every second row. We had no wet saw. 2. Jennabel, it was a really easy DIY project. That’s the only drawback, they are a … If you are thinking to renovate your kitchen give it a try. We didn’t grout yet, but when we will we won’t use a dark color as they did on the kitchen wall. And now we got to the fun part. MATERIALS: Tile (this is what we used) Thinset; Tiling trowel Wet saw; Tile spacers; Non-Sanded Grout; Grout float; Large sponge; Cheesecloth; Tile caulk; If you’re demolishing old tile, you’ll also need: Hammer; Pry bar; Gloves (vital to prevent blisters!) Follow our steps and you’ll be able to tile your kitchen too. Here is a super quick video of how to use a tile cutter. published May 4, 2016. Search for how-to videos and articles, Before you begin tiling, check out the existing surface you'll be working on. Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance, Prev: The Best Christmas DIY Decors and crafts on a budget. You have a great memory. Tiling a Backsplash. 1/3 Offset . However, for 3×6 subway tile, I usually draw the lines either 9 or 15 inches apart. Most likely, the white paint the previous owner used on the wall had some moisture damage. Become well acquainted with each step of the process, so you can limit time troubleshooting later. Here’s what I spent on this project: Subway tile from Floor and Décor (Interceramic, in Bone): $88. Manual Tile Cutter. Save Comments. The best bit about laying the tiles is that you could do it on your own without worrying about extra costs associated with employing a technician. With a notched trowel, apply the adhesive to the wall. The margin on the floor was our guideline because it is fairly leveled. Required fields are marked *. Classic Subway. You’ll have several minutes before the adhesive sets, but remember to work step by step and small sections at the time. In fact, subway tiles are quite versatile meaning they can be installed in a wide array of styles. The backsplash comes in different designs which give you the options that best suits your needs. Peel and stick tiles are made of plastic or vinyl and are extremely lightweight so they can be stuck … My husband has been working on our subway tile backsplash and I just walked in to find the corner like the third image (ACK!). I am hoping to begin a kitchen renovation in the spring and this post will definitely help. Next, sketch your design on the wall and lay out the the tiles on a large table. I sanded down, and we found out that below the surface, we got drywall. What we underestimated was just how thick some of those gaps were, which resulted in the need for a very thick line of caulk around the entire perimeter. If you’re tiling your shower wall, create a vertical line as the center. They keep the tiles level and evenly spaced. by Taryn Williford. Can’t you tell the whole family loves DIY home decor? You did an amazing job. The tiles came in sheets, already attached. Depending on your tile choice, a fairly inexpensive tile cutter and nipper combination will be enough to handle most of the straight cuts. It ended up being a lifesaver when we were working around the outlets. Once the tile and grout are set, you'll need to edge the perimeters with matching caulk. To match our black kitchen appliances, we chose a near-black grout color that contrasted highly with the white subway tile. How much time will you need to set aside for this project, and is it realistic for your schedule? Looks great. Notice that in BOTH of the above projects, the grout is a soft gray, which accents the brick layout of the subway tile, whereas white grout would have blended more. Often happens the wall is a little bit shorter or longer in the different rows. If you are installing a backsplash behind a sink or area with moisture, you'll need to be sure you're working on water-resistant drywall or a rock-based board. For the grout, I chose a non-sanded grout in Delorean Gray. Working with grout is a messy job. Eventually, on edges that butted up to a cabinet or window where tiles needed to be cut to fit, we ended up leaving an uneven gutter and assumed it wasn't a big deal since we'd be filling the gaps with grout or caulk later. Your email address will not be published. Once the wall had the groove, Julie started to put the tiles following the classic subway tile pattern. As always, don’t forget to pin it and share so others can get into the DIY groove too. There’s no right or wrong way to approach a layout, and there are absolutely always trade-offs, which is why I approach each job with a list of priorities, and work from there. We had fun and learned how to install subway tiles. It took only half-day for two people to finish this project. There are also smaller and medium ones from which you can pick depending with your needs. I love that look! I love the layout ideas!! You don’t have to be super handy. Yes, the old Metro in Budapest has subway tiles too. On a sunny Sunday, Julie and I decided it’s time to fix the eyesore wall of the kitchen island and refresh her kitchen’s look with white subway tiles. Go ahead, google it or jump on Pinterest and do a little research. Installing the kitchen backsplash is largely informed by a number of … They've come back and told us that a 1/2 offset is industry standard for backsplash subway tile and that 1/3 is standard for floor tile. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This not only removes extra adhesive but also creates grooves that will make the tile stick and stay on the wall forever. Our kitchen is fairly big, so it didn't take long for the precision-cut fatigue to set in. We recommend our users to update the browser. It is actually one of my favorite Metro in Hungary. Which tile, tools and products will you need, and is it obtainable in your budget? it turned out great, and I want to share our easy DIY subway tile backsplash tips with you. Phase 2 consists of measuring your space and planning the layout for your tiles. If I were to tile the back wall of a shower or bathtub surround with subway tile I would generally start with a vertical centerline. Learn some of the patterns and layout options we use when designing a backsplash for our West Alabama home remodeling clients. This is how subway tile was first started and adds a classic look to any space. This might seem obvious, but don't rinse your buckets in the sink. (I would start from the left:).) I let all the tile dry for 24 hours, then move on to grouting. If you're working in a kitchen or bathroom, it's tempting to use the sink that's right there instead of hauling heavy buckets outside for cleanup. Subway tile looks great and is durable enough to last a generation or more; it’s also fairly DIY-friendly to install! Here is a pix about the most commonly used subway tile layouts. http://TheCraftsmanBlog.com Learn how to properly prep, cut, and install classic subway tile in an old house. Oh wow, Denae! We might just have to try this one out! You’ll love the clean, farmhouse look the white subway tiles give. Anyway, I took over the trowel and applied the glue to the wall in small sections at a time. . It was a full 3 day project, but well worth it to me. The smaller the individual tiles, the easier it is to make cuts and to fit around awkward outlet and cabinet edges. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This pattern also flatters handmade-look tiles while adding authenticity. 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