This is exhausting and no fun and it will suck. This is a really timely lesson for me because I will soon be tiling my kitchen backsplash AND the counter. }); I can’t find the name of it, but it is a light gray grout! 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! 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. Loved your post. 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. 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. 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). Click here to read my full disclosure policy. 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. Take your 3/16th v-notched trowel and apply more tile adhesive to the small area of the wall. Angora Subway tile is crafted from fine natural marble. 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. But, I can assure you, a wet saw is nothing to be afraid of. Required fields are marked *. Check that the countertop is level. The walls behind your kitchen counters catch food splatters as you cook. Then use a level to extend the line along the work area. Swoon! Feb 15, 2017 - how to install subway tile backsplash (using mini tile sheets from Home Depot) via with heart Apply firm, even pressure to each tile to make sure it's set in the adhesive. This line serves as your cutting guide to fit tile along the counter. By the time I got the second section finished, the first was ready to be cleaned. Cut the tile to size using a special tile saw that available for rent at tool centers. After three years living in our house, we finally decided it was time to install a subway tile kitchen backsplash! }); Your email address will not be published. Soon, my kitchen looked like this: Thankfully, putting up fresh drywall is very easy. If you have an old house where things simply aren’t level or plumb (that’s called character!) If tiles fall off the sheet, simply press them into the adhesive; the beveled tile edge provides the spacing needed. Typically, you need to allow the drywall compound to dry for 24 hours before applying a second coat. Tiles installed above this line will not require cutting. Grab your first one and line it up with the beginning of your section. He looks Exactly like our 13 year old grandson at that age. Repeat steps 3-5 until your entire backsplash is tiled. 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. Let's do it together! 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. After some backbreaking work, your backsplash will look like a tornado went through it. Our kitchen looks so much brighter and cleaner, and it’s no longer all clash-y and weird. Mixing thinset is not fun. Flatten the tile with a grout float if necessary. Decide on the area you’re going to start on, then use your trowel to scoop up some thinset. 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.. Draw a center line. 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. Only put the adhesive down over a small area at a time, no more than what you can complete in about 20 minutes. 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. 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. It took me about two days to complete, and cost less than $200. Apply Thinset. formId: '5d839cbe8ab47e000f14432c', Mark the wall at the top of the tile. Basically, just go to town on the tile until it starts falling off the wall. I mean, if you don’t look closely, you can’t even tell that’s just plain old drywall, right?! These white subway tiles are a great way to get a vintage look in your kitchen. With your skim coat layer of adhesive down and dried just enough, you are ready to start putting your tile on. You’ll need to cut the bottom row of tile to offset the unevenness. 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). Do you have a kitchen in need of a new backsplash? 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. 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. Apply two coats, then sand it down with a sanding block so it’s nice and smooth, and you’re good to go. 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. Here is the cost breakdown for the Daltile 12 in x 12 in ceramic mosaic wall tiles I used in my guest bathroom remodel:. 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. We were just reminiscing this morning about those days when we raised two grands and Thankful for all of the Memories that we have. So, expect mistakes and try to enjoy the learning curve! 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. Apply thin-set tile adhesive to the wall using a notched trowel. Mark the Layout's Centerline. Next, we prepped our wall surface using mortar/mastic/mud and a notched trowel. I will just take my time and make sure I do each procedure properly. Subway Tile Sheets. Follow the lines you made when the tiles were dry fit to the wall. Luckily our tile mats were the exact height we needed, so we only needed to worry about cutting around power outlets. $2.98 for each sheet; $3.59 per square foot; So for a standard tub surround with the top of the tile ending at … Hold a tile at this spot, accounting for a 1/8-inch expansion gap. 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. After your subway tile has dried for about 2 hours, you’ll notice the tile is looking a bit hazy and weird. window.fd('form', { 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. What a challenge you took on and the result was well worth it. 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. Be sure to check back in on Wednesday – I’ll have the next big update on our dining room renovation. 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. This will further “open” your kitchen and it it a truly modern look especially with your new beautiful subway tiles. I'm Amanda, and I live in the suburbs of Austin, Texas with my husband and two sons. 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. Overwhelmed by DIY? 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’re ready to bask in the glory of a kitchen with a beautiful new subway tile backsplash. Five months pregnant! Choose an area that's a natural focal point, like the spot above a range … You want to push the grout into the holes without getting a ton extra on the tile. 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. Mark a centerline between the upper cabinets so the tiles will be centered under … Using the adhesive mat helps you quickly and accurately put up your tiling. 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. That’s really just the bottom line. window.fd('form', { 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. As you work, be sure to check on the water level frequently to ensure it doesn’t get too low. The easiest way to install a backsplash is to use tiling, two-sided adhesive mat, and pre-mixed grout. Sorry. 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. Protect Surfaces. 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. Installing ceramic tile on any vertical surface can be tricky, and backsplashes are no exception. Large subway tiles installed vertically create the illusion of taller walls and … 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. Then be sure to pin this post for later to help you find it when you’re ready! 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