So simple and so beautiful! If you have been thinking of trying to tile you own backsplash but are worried about costs or difficulty think again. We tackled this project over a weekend (my man and I) and are quite happy with the results. We took a few short cuts using a tile cutter instead of a saw and that'll have to be our only regret. Check out the steps below so you can do your own Subway Tile Backsplash! Enjoy!
What You Will Need:
- 3x6 subway tiles ($0.63 sq/ft)
- tile cutter ($19.99)
- white grout
- large sponge
- tile float
- Dap Kwik Seal or other kitchen/ bath caulking
- pencil
- 1/16 spacers (250pcs $4.50)
- screwdriver to remove plates
- opt. sealer
- 3x6 subway tiles ($0.63 sq/ft)
- tile cutter ($19.99)
- white grout
- large sponge
- tile float
- Dap Kwik Seal or other kitchen/ bath caulking
- pencil
- 1/16 spacers (250pcs $4.50)
- screwdriver to remove plates
- opt. sealer
Step 1: Figure out what tiles you like and an overall design concept
We went with simple 3x6 white gloss subway tiles we picked up at our local Wholesale Flooring store. Even at Home Depot and other major department stores the classic subways are a fraction of the cost and still create a timeless modern look.
We went with simple 3x6 white gloss subway tiles we picked up at our local Wholesale Flooring store. Even at Home Depot and other major department stores the classic subways are a fraction of the cost and still create a timeless modern look.
Step 2: Get your supplies & make tool purchases if required.
You will need an adhesive we found a great product called simplemat that me picked up at the Home Depot for about $25.00 a box. We only ended up needing 2 boxes for our kitchen and thought it was a huge time and mess saver!
You will need an adhesive we found a great product called simplemat that me picked up at the Home Depot for about $25.00 a box. We only ended up needing 2 boxes for our kitchen and thought it was a huge time and mess saver!
Step 3: Prep surfaces & stick on your simplemat!
Remove all electrical plate covers, wipe down walls with warm water and start applying simplemat product. Make sure your walls are fully dry before applying and that you leave the sticky "tile side" of the new simplemat on the wall until it's all applied to the drywall.
Remove all electrical plate covers, wipe down walls with warm water and start applying simplemat product. Make sure your walls are fully dry before applying and that you leave the sticky "tile side" of the new simplemat on the wall until it's all applied to the drywall.
Step 4: Start 1st row of tiles!
Start simply with a full subway tile in the bottom corner and work towards where the other side. In between each tile use one of the cute little spaces so everything is evenly spaced. the spacers don't always like to stay in place so sometime you may only use them as a guide before you really push your tile onto the simplemat.
Start simply with a full subway tile in the bottom corner and work towards where the other side. In between each tile use one of the cute little spaces so everything is evenly spaced. the spacers don't always like to stay in place so sometime you may only use them as a guide before you really push your tile onto the simplemat.
Step 5: Continue adding rows and making cuts
To start your second row simply cut one of the 3x6 tiles in half so you now have a 3x3 tile. Using this 3x3 tile place it tight to the wall right above your first tile layed. No continue this row just like the bottom one and you will notice a lovely staggered effect!
Step 6: Add grout.
We waited overnight before grouting the next day. To our surprise we woke up and the simplemat held up every single tile! We then started spreading grout all over tiles with a cheap rubber trowel. We worked as a team, well one of us added grout the other followed closely behind using a damp sponge to wipe away the extra grout on the tiles.
We waited overnight before grouting the next day. To our surprise we woke up and the simplemat held up every single tile! We then started spreading grout all over tiles with a cheap rubber trowel. We worked as a team, well one of us added grout the other followed closely behind using a damp sponge to wipe away the extra grout on the tiles.
Step 7: Use Adhesive Cauking
We used a product called DAP Kwik Seal to fill in all our imperfect edges and create a uniform edge all around. We found it very helpful around the underside of the upper cabinets and our hoodfan. Since we used a white grout and this was white caulking it looks perfect and gets rid of any missing spots or holes. Just make sure you use a bath / kitchen friendly product.
We used a product called DAP Kwik Seal to fill in all our imperfect edges and create a uniform edge all around. We found it very helpful around the underside of the upper cabinets and our hoodfan. Since we used a white grout and this was white caulking it looks perfect and gets rid of any missing spots or holes. Just make sure you use a bath / kitchen friendly product.