Subway Tile Backsplash Install [1]

Transcription

1 [1] Submitted by Ana White [2] on Wed, :17 [1] For me, the sawdust is where it is AT. Wood is my medium of choice. I love how easy to cut wood is, how naturally beautiful it is. I love how it smells when you work with it, I love how functional it becomes when you use it. I love that wood is renewable, and while it renews, it renews our air. I love working with wood. Page 1 of 27

2 But while taking on a Momplex, we've had to work with alot of other mediums. Styrofoam blocks, poured concrete, and drywall. Drywall was definitely my least favorite. What always amazes me, no matter the project, no matter the materials you are using, the same principles apply: start square, cut square, take your time and be precise, don't skip steps, work with your materials, think ahead. If you can do that and use a saw, you can do pretty much any DIY project around your house. For the Momplex Vanilla kitchen, Mom-Who-Likes-to-Sew really wanted white on white on white. With our dark winters, she wanted a bright, fresh kitchen. So when it came time to tackle the backsplash, we choose white subway tile. I also loved that the subway tile is shiny - there's no windows on this wall because it's the shared wall between the two duplex units. So the shine gives the illusion of a window or at least depth. Page 2 of 27

3 After DIY-ing the countertops [3], for easy clean up we took a second to cover the countertops with paper. Preparation is key to a successful project. It's taken me years to get that. Page 3 of 27

4 Because we only have about 30 square feet to cover in tile, we went with a pre-mixed thin set. It's a little more expensive, but for this quantity, we are talking a few dollars difference to have the premix over mixing it ourselves. That, and we don't have running water at the sink yet to mix and clean up, so this stuff is the ticket for us. Page 4 of 27

5 Per the tile we are using (following directions on the thinset), we applied the thinset to the wall. First we applied the thinset, then we used the grooved edge of the trowel to make the grooves. The grooves allow the tile to adhere without air pockets building up behind the tile. Another note - if you are using white grout (as we are) make sure you use white thinset. I once made the mistake of not caring what color thinset I used, and I can still see it peeking out in the grout. You live and learn! Page 5 of 27

6 Then the tile just gets applied to the wall over the thinset. Page 6 of 27

7 We worked in small areas so the thinset wouldn't dry out before we got the tiles layed. Page 7 of 27

8 The subway tile we used is mesh backed, and you just flip it to get the tiles to stagger. Page 8 of 27

9 We used alot of spacer to help us keep the grout lines consistent. Page 9 of 27

10 Page 10 of 27

11 Where there are no electrical outlets, things went pretty fast. But here's where they start to slow down. We got to cut tile. Page 11 of 27

12 For $25 we rented a tile saw. Page 12 of 27

13 Grandpa Tim showed up and helped us out by cutting the tile. I liked how he used a clamp to hold the tile in place while he cut. Page 13 of 27

14 It's hard to see, but we did get super lucky with our tile install (but it may be something you want to plan for if you tile a backsplash). All of our electrical outlets landed exactly on the fourth and fifth row of tiles so all we had to do was cut those tiles for the electrical outlets. Page 14 of 27

15 We ended the tile with a bullnose. Page 15 of 27

16 Then we waited overnight for the thinset to dry (per thinset recommendations). Page 16 of 27

17 Page 17 of 27

18 Grout time!!! We choose a premixed grout as well to save on time, waste and cleanup. We grouted the tiles, using a grout float, pushing the grout in between the tiles, Page 18 of 27

19 Isn't it looking good??? I love this part of a project, where you are so close to being done, and you get newly inspired! Page 19 of 27

20 Thank goodness we covered the countertops in paper, because that grout made a giant mess. Page 20 of 27

21 Grandpa Tim showed up and helped us clean the grout off the tiles. After that, we sealed the grout lines right away. Gotta keep the white grout white! Page 21 of 27

22 Page 22 of 27

23 The subway tile is one of my favorite parts of Mom's new kitchen! She loves it too. Page 23 of 27

24 Page 24 of 27

25 I love how the electrical outlets are hardly even noticeable in the tile! Page 25 of 27

26 Page 26 of 27

27 So what do you think? Have you tiled a backsplash before? With subway tile? Did you like it? We'd love to hear your side too! Thanks for reading! XO Ana + Fam main_category: Momplex [4] Momplex Vanilla Kitchen [5] Sponsor Box: <script type="text/javascript" src=" memedia.com/script_serve.php?st=hhm.anawhite&zn=lowes&sz=300x 60"></script> Momplex: Kitchens [6] Source URL: le-backsplash-install Links [1] sh-install [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] Page 27 of 27