Trust me. }); Your email address will not be published. To apply your tile in a subway pattern, just start with a full piece of tile on your first row, then cut a piece of tile in half to start your second row. Here’s how I installed this subway tile backsplash using matte white 3″ by 6″ tiles and ready mixed adhesive and grout. Mark off an area of the same size and … containerEl: document.querySelector('#fd-form-5d839cbe8ab47e000f14432c') My method for this part of the project was similar to laying the tile – I picked a 3-ish foot section of tile, grouted it, and then moved onto the next section. You can find a good tutorial about how to use a wet tile saw HERE. Adding decorative tiles to the lost space found between the countertops and upper cabinets can give your kitchen a whole new look. Protect Surfaces. I will just take my time and make sure I do each procedure properly. Use this polished subway tile to add interest and understated elegance to the backsplash, shower … You’ll need to cut the bottom row of tile to offset the unevenness. Click here to learn more about us. Soon, my kitchen looked like this: Thankfully, putting up fresh drywall is very easy. Don’t have a kitchen renovation on the agenda at the moment? I know this article was about tile backsplash.. but the blue cupboards are what caught my attention the most lol, I really like the colour.. Vertical Running Bond. Once you’ve got your tile cut, bring it inside and test it to make sure it fits before you place it. Hosted by Liquid Web, **This sidebar contains ads and affiliate links**, some experiences I’ve had with cutting tile sheets, Installing A Small-Scale Herringbone In Our Laundry Room, Installing Marble Herringbone Around A Fireplace, Installing Porcelain Floor Tile In Our Laundry Room, Installing Large Stone Tile In An Outdoor Area, Installing A Penny Tile Backsplash In Our Last Kitchen, Installing A Subway Shower Surround & Marble Floor. The entire process is best done in small chunks, which you’ll kind of see in the photos. Grab a cheesecloth (they’re next to the dropcloths in your local hardware store) and rub down the tile to remove the haze. Thank you so much for the lesson … I now know that I CAN do it! As you work, be sure to check on the water level frequently to ensure it doesn’t get too low. You want to push the grout into the holes without getting a ton extra on the tile. We’ve clearly still got a few things on the to-do list, like replacing all of the lighting, adding under-cabinet lighting, and deciding what to do above the cabinets (continue the tile or add some open shelving?) Basically, just go to town on the tile until it starts falling off the wall. consider sheets of tile mosaic, stone or random patters. I went with unmixed grout (meaning, I mixed it myself) for the first time on this project, simply because I couldn’t find unsanded, pre-mixed grout at my hardware store. https://www.younghouselove.com/install-subway-tile-backsplash Finally, you’re ready for the finishing touch – caulk. I used my wet saw and basically just cut on either side of where the notch needed to be, then made a ton of tiny cuts until the entire notch for the outlet was removed (you can use tile clippers to speed this process up), but I’m sure there are more efficient methods. Sorry. This doesn’t need to be its own step really (it’s kind of self-explanatory), but I’ll use whatever excuse I can get to insert this adorable photo of Jackson helping me take the spacers out of our tile. Honestly, at this point, I felt like my kitchen was already vastly improved from the before. Then you can install new drywall and install your new backsplash over it. Swoon! These white subway tiles are a great way to get a vintage look in your kitchen. After you’ve allowed the grout in one section to set for about 10 minutes, go back with a damp sponge (you want it to be wet enough to clean the tile but not so wet that it’s dripping) and wipe down the tiles to remove any grout from them. After three years living in our house, we finally decided it was time to install a subway tile kitchen backsplash! The tops of all tiles in the bottom row must meet this line or be cut (from the bottom) to line up with the mark. Decide on the area you’re going to start on, then use your trowel to scoop up some thinset. That’s really just the bottom line. If you’ve been following our One Room Challenge dining room renovation (see the latest post here), you’ll know that as part of the makeover we’ve decided to spruce up our kitchen a bit too, since the two rooms are connected. Apply firm, even pressure to each tile to make sure it's set in the adhesive. Apply it directly to the wall with the smooth edge of the trowel at a 45-ish degree angle. Be sure to tape off the lines you’re working on so you don’t make a mess everywhere, and pull the tape up before the caulk is completely dry. I’m so excited about how this turned out, and I love the finished result. I am installing subway tile for a backsplash in our kitchen. I was a little nervous about squeezing this (giant) project in when we’re supposed to be working on our dining nook, but I am so glad we did. Try my methods below to attempt to take one tile off….and if the drywall is damaged or there is no possible way it will come off, you will be better off removing the tile with the drywall. Use a standard level or laser level to extend this reference line across the wall and around the entire area that is being tiled (image 3). This post contains affiliate links. Remove any protruding thin-set from the tile joints with a flat-head screwdriver. Here is the cost breakdown for the Daltile 12 in x 12 in ceramic mosaic wall tiles I used in my guest bathroom remodel:. Flatten the tile with a grout float if necessary. Use a hammer to break up the old tile. However, it’s almost impossible to remove old tile without needing to do some sort of repair to your drywall – in the end, I find it’s easier (and more effective) to just remove the old drywall rather than try to repair it. Once your drywall is ready to go, it’s time to start laying the tile! Cuts around obstacles like outlets or light switches are a little harder, and I’ll be the first to say I probably didn’t do it the “right” way. Required fields are marked *. Slightly rock the sheet up and down, perpendicular to the trowel lines, to collapse the ridges and help the tile settle into place. You’re ready to bask in the glory of a kitchen with a beautiful new subway tile backsplash. So I cleaned it, then moved onto the third section – once it was done, I went back and cleaned the second. This will further “open” your kitchen and it it a truly modern look especially with your new beautiful subway tiles. Using the adhesive mat helps you quickly and accurately put up your tiling. Overwhelmed by DIY? Large subway tiles installed vertically create the illusion of taller walls and … Like I mentioned before, I like to just replace my drywall rather than repair it. Once you’ve applied the thinset to the entire section you’re working on, flip it around to the notched side and run that horizontally through the thinset (again, at a 45-degree angle) to create ridges in the thinset. Not worth the effort, if you ask me. window.fd('form', { This post will walk you step-by-step through how to install a subway tile backsplash – even if you’ve never tiled before! Do you have a kitchen in need of a new backsplash? Maybe next time I do a tiling project I’ll put together a quick Power Tools for Beginners video for it?! containerEl: document.querySelector('#fd-form-5d839e061f3845000f2e624c') I'm Amanda, and I live in the suburbs of Austin, Texas with my husband and two sons. Below are a few tips and tricks on the steps to install subway tile backsplash . Mark the wall at the top of the tile. Some people who are much more proficient tilers than I am can get away with laying tile without using spacers, but I’m still a newbie and I love how easy they make it to keep my tiles level and evenly spaced. To apply your grout, just grab your grout float and scoop some up, then apply it to the tile (focusing on the spaces between the tile, obviously) using a 45-degree angle and a good amount of pressure. Once your area is full of drywall, apply drywall tape on all of the seams, and then mud the seams and screw holes with drywall compound. Be sure to check back in on Wednesday – I’ll have the next big update on our dining room renovation. I mean, if you don’t look closely, you can’t even tell that’s just plain old drywall, right?! Mark the Layout's Centerline. Once you’ve completed a small section, go back with the float at a 90-degree angle and scrape each tile to remove any excess thinset – this will make cleanup much easier! There will be a max fill line – don’t go above that or you’ll just make a big mess. Tiling can be a little messy, so it's wise to protect floors, countertop surfaces, and … }); I can’t find the name of it, but it is a light gray grout! Typically, you need to allow the drywall compound to dry for 24 hours before applying a second coat. As I’ve shared snippets on Instagram, I’ve had a lot of questions about how to tile a kitchen backsplash and many requests to share my process – so, today is the big, bulky, beefy post all about how to install a subway tile backsplash in your kitchen. I found that the best strategy for me was to hit a tile until all of the pieces started to loosen up, then I used the back of my hammer (or my pry bar) to peel the tile off. Before I even chat about it, I’ll give the disclaimer that I am not a pro when it comes to this (or, let’s be real, any project I do), so I always end up replacing the drywall when I’m removing old tile. In this case, it meant I had to mix it up myself, but it was just a matter of adding some water and stirring until I felt like my arm was going to fall off. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. After your subway tile has dried for about 2 hours, you’ll notice the tile is looking a bit hazy and weird. Check that the countertop is level. For the pieces like the one on top of the outlet above, you can just make two cuts in the tile with your wet saw – it’s much quicker and easier than the ones that need to be notched out. Absolutely beautiful! Add tile spacers for help keeping the tile pieces lined up. He looks Exactly like our 13 year old grandson at that age. With your skim coat layer of adhesive down and dried just enough, you are ready to start putting your tile on. Follow the lines you made when the tiles were dry fit to the wall. Keep making and documenting them because they bring such joy when you get older. To see where the tile will end at the top of the installation, make a jury stick. Apply thin-set tile adhesive to the wall using a notched trowel. How to Install Subway Tile Backsplash Installing subway tile will be done in a bunch of different steps and there is a lot of waiting for things to dry. I didn’t do this for all of the lines, just the ones that looked like they needed a little extra help. This line serves as your cutting guide to fit tile along the counter. Add a layer of caulk along the bottom of the backsplash, and along any sides that it … Adjust the guide on your wet saw to the appropriate size (I just hold the tile up to where my line is and then move the guide so that it touches the edge of my tile), and let ‘er rip. Grab your first one and line it up with the beginning of your section. but man, I feel good about this change! ), and put some painter’s tape along the edge of where I wanted my tile to be, just to keep me on track (and save me from cleaning up rogue thinset later). This is a really timely lesson for me because I will soon be tiling my kitchen backsplash AND the counter. If it is not, stand a tile at the lowest spot and mark a level line on the wall at the tiles top this will be your starting point. Its soft beige tones and a classic shape give it a fresh yet familiar look that works well with a variety of decorative styles. Before you can learn how to install subway tile backsplashes, you need to remove whatever is standing in as your current backsplash. OH my Gosh the little boy brought such memories and happiness to us. It isn’t pretty if you look at it without the outlet cover, but thankfully it’ll be covered up so no one has to know. The … If you work faster than I do, you can apply thinset to a larger section at a time, but I’m a slowpoke and it’s okay. Installing ceramic tile on any vertical surface can be tricky, and backsplashes are no exception. I replaced the backsplash in our kitchen! Just take your time and have patience – I always joke with my husband that the reason I’m more patient than he is because I EXPECT to make mistakes, whereas he’s surprised when he does. If you’re working in a corner or near the top of the wall where you didn’t put a good amount of thinset, you can just apply it directly to the back of the tile using the same method you used before. formId: '5d839cbe8ab47e000f14432c', Allow the thin-set adhesive to dry overnight. Since we were already working with Jeffrey Court for the tile in the bar area, we went ahead and asked them to send us the tile for the kitchen backsplash too. Subway Tile Sheets. This will also clean up your grout lines quite a bit. And then? I mean, can you imagine trying to repair that hot mess and actually getting a level surface when all is said and done? Your email address will not be published. You don’t want to work with sanded grout on vertical surfaces – it’s really meant for flooring and areas with larger grout lines – so be sure to look for grout that’s specifically labeled as unsanded. If you’re careful and good at what you do, you can preserve the old drywall. It took me about two days to complete, and cost less than $200. Note: if you still have ANY mastic or mortar still on the wall, you need to go back and work more on the tile removal process. Anywhere that a horizontal surface meets a vertical one, you’re going to want to caulk the seams using grout caulk. Continue in that manner until the whole area is grouted and cleaned. If you are tiling all the way up to the cabinets, place the cut tiles o… Set sheets of tiles into the mastic according to the layout (Image 2). Next, we prepped our wall surface using mortar/mastic/mud and a notched trowel. Angora Subway tile is crafted from fine natural marble. How to Apply Glass Tile Backsplash Sheets in the Kitchen. Then, it’s time to make some cuts! The walls behind your kitchen counters catch food splatters as you cook. Then use a level to extend the line along the work area. I found that when I had a grout line that was looking a little splotchy or weird, if I just ran my finger along the line it smoothed out nicely and suddenly looked way better. Apply two coats, then sand it down with a sanding block so it’s nice and smooth, and you’re good to go. Mark a centerline between the upper cabinets so the tiles will be centered under … Then be sure to pin this post for later to help you find it when you’re ready! Take your 3/16th v-notched trowel and apply more tile adhesive to the small area of the wall. Loved your post. After some backbreaking work, your backsplash will look like a tornado went through it. Unbelievably, a backsplash with classic… Hold a tile at this spot, accounting for a 1/8-inch expansion gap. But, I can assure you, a wet saw is nothing to be afraid of. It’ll look a little something like this: Once your thinset is applied to your section, you can begin laying tile! Just continue going in your section until you run out of thinset (again, I worked in about a 3-foot long section, and laid from the counter all the way up to the cabinet). The grout should fill the area between the tiles, but wipe to keep it off of the tile sheet itself. Tiles installed above this line will not require cutting. Don’t be shy about it – you want a nice, thick layer. Use a tape measure and measure the width and length of the space you want to cover with subway tiles. If you know ahead of time that you’re removing the drywall as well, you don’t need to be too careful about messing it up. The easiest way to install a backsplash is to use tiling, two-sided adhesive mat, and pre-mixed grout. We painted the cabinets a while ago, but the backsplash was seriously clashing with the rest of the look and was in desperate need of an overhaul. These tiling tips for beginners will give you the confidence you need to tackle tiling your own kitchen backsplash. Once the top of your bottom course of tile is level, things get much easier. Establish the perimeter of the area you’ll cover, and apply painter’s tape to the walls to mark the edges. Simply measure the size that you need for the tile (taking into account the size of your spaces for your grout line) and mark it on the back of your tile. window.fd('form', { Repeat steps 3-5 until your entire backsplash is tiled. Apply Thinset. formId: '5d839e061f3845000f2e624c', I've taught myself how to make simple updates to help make my house a home, and I want to show you how to do it, too. $2.98 for each sheet; $3.59 per square foot; So for a standard tub surround with the top of the tile ending at … Continue that pattern and you’ll end up with the coveted and classic subway pattern. Only put the adhesive down over a small area at a time, no more than what you can complete in about 20 minutes. Draw a center line. 1) Put your tile and tile adhesive in the room you are going to be installing and maintain the temperature at 70 degrees or more for a full 24 hours before you start this how to install a subway tile backsplash. By the time I got the second section finished, the first was ready to be cleaned. How to remove tile backsplash like a pro… We were just reminiscing this morning about those days when we raised two grands and Thankful for all of the Memories that we have. Don’t go thinking you’re done quite yet! If tiles fall off the sheet, simply press them into the adhesive; the beveled tile edge provides the spacing needed. Simply measure your area and cut a piece of drywall (I use a utility knife to score the drywall, then just break it off), then screw the piece into the studs. Just for kicks, let’s do a before and after, shall we? Though tile is the most common material used, there can also be textured paints, vinyl applications, wallpapers, and even metal sheeting up on the wall. I used these spacers for this project and they were great – you can snap pieces off to get the exact configuration you need and they helped keep everything nice and level. Luckily our tile mats were the exact height we needed, so we only needed to worry about cutting around power outlets. Five months pregnant! Basically, I did steps 3-5 for a three-ish foot chunk of my backsplash, then I went back to the beginning and started with step 3 again for a new section. than you need. So, expect mistakes and try to enjoy the learning curve! Sorry for all of the exclamation points, I’m just feeling really good about this situation right now. Whether it is individual tiles or sheets of mosaic tiles, wall tiles are generally installed with the same thin-set adhesives used on floors and other horizontal surfaces. Dampen the surface of the tile with water on a sponge before applying grout. And, if all goes according to plan, it’ll be the big reveal of our finished banquette! After removing the old cabinet it wasn’t exposed brick but mortared over the brick and the exposed corner of the chimney is now a sharp radius. Let's do it together! Once your drywall is ready to go, it’s time to start laying the tile! Mixing thinset is not fun. Feb 15, 2017 - how to install subway tile backsplash (using mini tile sheets from Home Depot) via with heart I used this multi-tool to cut all around the damaged drywall and pull it off the wall. To begin, I started on one side of my kitchen (the side by the refrigerator because it’s the least visible – in case I had a bit of a learning curve! I say go with the open shelves instead of cabinets. All by myself! Our kitchen looks so much brighter and cleaner, and it’s no longer all clash-y and weird. Transform this important living area with the simple addition of a tile backsplash. Once you’ve allowed the thinset to dry for a minimum of 24 hours (I went for closer to 48, just to be safe), you’re ready to grout. Basically, be sure to pull out your spacers and clean up any excess thinset before it dries fully – I tried to clean my tiles up as much as possible shortly after I finished tiling, then we removed the spacers and cleaned more thoroughly the next morning. Be sure to move slowly and steadily. Here’s the rundown: Wet saws generally have an area on the side that you need to fill with water. This is exhausting and no fun and it will suck. If you have an old house where things simply aren’t level or plumb (that’s called character!) I also did it in the corners simply because I found it extremely difficult to get grout into those deep corners any other way. Take your grout, and spread it over the surface of the tiles with a trowel, wiping off the tiles using a damp sponge. Choose an area that's a natural focal point, like the spot above a range … This is a dusty process, so be prepared to clean your entire room – and yourself – afterward. What a challenge you took on and the result was well worth it. Measure the backsplash area where the tiles will be installed. Hope it’s helpful! If you’re demolishing old tile, you’ll also need: Obviously, the first step is to remove your old tile and prep your drywall for fresh tile. 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