how to install subway tile in a shower

And we’re obsessed with the bright & clean look we have going on in this space. Steps: 1. But for 85% of our cuts, the tile cutter worked like a dream. Let me know if I’m wrong. Thank You! Learn how your comment data is processed. Attach a straight board to the backer board along the line. This expansion and contraction joint is necessary to prevent tiles from cracking. In order to make sure all of your tile is level, you need to install a level piece of wood at the first row of tile. They'll then press the tile into the mortar and use spacers to hold them in place. Literally. We laid down cardboard that we cut to the room, and then we put rosin paper on top of that. Yes, the perimeter needs a gap for expansion and contraction – 1/8″ is a good size 2. And factored how the tile would look at the walls and bench. Instead, I’ll share tips and tricks we learned along the way. And if you missed how we waterproofed this shower, then read this tutorial. This was a lifesaver and my hands are finally feeling less scaley and gross! ; Tile saw . Between all of the math, our high ceilings, and the large grout lines…we had our work cut out for us. Have a professional... 2. But I’m happy we took our time and got ‘er done. We also kept a sponge handy to wipe down tiles along the way to ensure that no thinset was drying on our pristine white tiles. Furthermore, it’s imperative to leave a 1/8″ gap between tiles and adjacent backer boards. Free, online Subway Tile Backsplash cost guide breaks down fair prices in your area. Dun dun dun. Pictured here is the classic subway tile. From the centerline, draw your offset lines with a specific measurement. Our wet saw was the main workhorse for our floor tile, but we whipped out a tile cutter for the subway tile installation. We totally forgot to include the 1/8″ spacers (rookie mistake) and that meant we had small cuts on our first big wall. Not my strong suit, but luckily that husband of mine is a math whiz! This is the most important part of subway tile showers: Plan the layout to avoid slivers of tile. Step 1: Prep the Walls. Which ended up being fine for the room, but it’s just something to keep in mind. I bought two 10 lb bags of grout for the space (sanded in the color “Silverado”) and ended up having to run back to the store for 3 more! It certainly wasn’t a super difficult installation. If it dries, it’s a lot harder to get out before grouting. Generally speaking, when you come to the end of a wall and you want the subway tile installation to look like it “wraps” onto the next wall. Then, I used a drill, screws, and level to get all of our ledgers in before we started tiling. Our prior tutorial shared how to tile the shower floor and make it look awesome. 18. Silicone is the best product for that gap as it will seal the change of plane 3. Your email address will not be published. First, unpack your Mirroflex Kit, which includes two trim strips, two side panels, and one back panel. ), install tile, upgrade basement bathrooms, and more. Our preference is to use an angle grinder and diamond blade. If you are using white or very light grout in a high traffic area or more … A 3-sided shower for example: You would typically center the back wall so the cuts are even on both sides. ), install tile, upgrade basement bathrooms, and more. First, it’s easier to start this tutorial by showing you a picture of the final look. Boy, was I wrong. However, we prevailed! Avoid slivers at the ceiling, corners, and any transition (e.g. For instance, you can measure 3 inches between the two lines for a standard 3 by 6 subway tile. 17. … – Sarah’s Victorian Across the Pond, Reader OMG! We started the first row by centering the tile on the shower drain. To do so you’ll need a trowel. Our layout had to factor in the shower bench and custom shower niche on the plumbing wall. If you’re going to be placing the tile in an area that will come under a lot of moisture, like white subway tile in the shower, you’re best to go with the powder mix. It took us 2 weekends and multiple nights after work to get ‘er done, but we did it. Use Ledgers. You know how I just said that you need to make a plan? Nice subway tile. Just be aware and wipe up after each tiling session. You guys make these projects look so easy! I prefer OmniGrip because it holds wall tile in place without sagging. The cost to install subway tile backsplash could be as little as $600 or as much as $1,350. This meant that we ended up with pretty wide grout lines. Hey Patrick, thanks for asking. Installing MirroFlex Subway Tile is dramatically easier than traditional tile. I’m not going to give you a step-by-step tutorial on how we hung our 3×6 white subway tile since I just shared the detailed process for the floor tile yesterday (and it’s very similar to that). This kind works much better than those little cross shaped ones! Because our grout lines were huge and we had so much ground to cover, it ended up taking me (& my mom who I recruited to help) about 8 hours to grout the walls. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I completely forgot about that and used 1/8″ spacers. Want to refresh your subway tile shower? And we had A LOT of ground to cover. I’m Casey, the voice behind The DIY Playbook. Would it cause sandwich mold? This ensures that all of the tile you install above that board will be straight. After installing the floor tile in our guest bathroom, Finn and I were so excited to start the subway tile. You’ve seen examples of installing the subway tiles all over the walls. But if you want to utilize a trowel, you can make the … 15. Subway tiles in different shades of green. 19. Hey There! Simply smooth the adhesive … 10 Tips for Installing Subway Tile . Classic Subway. Always use silicone between the tile and tub surface for expansion and contraction, it shouldn’t create a mold sandwich if the cement board is installed correctly and the tile is set using directional troweling. ; Tile spacers. Subway tile; Tile adhesive. Together we’re creating our dream home in Chicago, one DIY project at a time. Think about the ceiling and the floor too, you don’t want any slivers of tile on either end. I purchased inexpensive wood at Lowe’s (and brought the measurement of each wall in the room) and had it cut down to size right there. Free, online Shower Tile cost guide breaks down fair prices in your area. For example, our friend Sarah over at Ugly Duckling House used handcrafted subway tiles and did a great job on her shower. Then you want the inside corner to look like the tile “continues” onto both side walls. Here is a VIDEO I made for you on how to Install Subway Tile using a ledger bar to start. Begin by removing the old tile or the fiberglass shower wall. And when I say gameplan, I mean math. We show how to build showers (Schluter, Wedi, Curbless, etc. This ensures that all of the tile you install above that board will be straight. So, please account for your spacers! Yes, we were tired and drained from all of the time spent on the floor…but subway tile certainly had to be easier than that marble floor…right?! We also left a 1/8″ (minimum) gap between the first row and shower floor. This may be an obvious tip, but please protect your floors! Once demolition of the old tile is complete, install a cement backer board in the shower area. More Subway Tile Bathroom Ideas A more practical option is to only install subway tiles on the shower’s walls. Well…sorta. Once the wall and floors are prepared to be tiled, your contractor will then start installation. Subway tiles give the shower a classy and at the same time simple look as timeless as they are. I will say, we did have to use the wet saw for super small cuts, curved cuts, and angled cuts. Use a tape measure and measure the width and length of the space you want to cover with subway tiles. shower wall to shower floor). That said, nothing replaces skill. PAINT! Get 2020 Subway Tile Backsplash price options and installation cost ranges. After the floor install, my hands were wrecked. The shower floors are … Everest. For the subway tile, I bought dozens of disposable gloves. For example, using SeamClips to between tiles. Step 5: Remove Spacers. Green subway tile for a modern shower. Finish setting the shower floor with thinset mortar. If you’re doing a bathroom remodel and want to simplify the process enroll into the Bathroom Repair Tutor Video Library. That slope necessitates a contoured cut on the bottom of the first row of tile. ; ¼" notched trowel Finn ended up planning ours out using Excel, but just a simple drawing and math will help! … So we kept that out too. Pick a starting point (in our case, the main shower wall) and work your way out from there. It’s impossible. So I finally finished installing backer board to the tub surround of the bathroom.. This is not that. But we forgot to calculate one HUGE factor…the spacers. Variegated marble subway tile bathroom. The thinset dries out your skin like crazy and you really can’t expect to keep your hands clean when tiling. How to Install Bathroom Tile in Corners. In a future tutorial we’ll discuss the other two walls. However, there are many tiny tips that make these tile jobs look phenomenal. Once the layout is done, setting subway tile is straight forward. 16. Today’s tutorial describes how we approached the main shower wall. Instead, the only matching tile was a 2×6 tile. What an amazing feeling to see it all up, grouted, and lookin’ good! 3) If a bathroom walls has vapor barriers all around along with cement board installed, does a bathtub still needs to be caulk where the tiles meet the tub surface? Stock up on grout and you can always return it if you end up having some leftover. Fill out the Shower Floor. Permacolor Select Grout for Shower Niches | Home Repair Tutor, How to Install a Shower Curb Top in a Subway Tile Shower, Subway Tile Installation on Plumbing Walls in Showers. 2) If so does this 1/8 gap get fill with silicone or grout or can it be left alone? Draw a leveled line where the bottom of the second row will fall. This second floor bathroom is getting a full remodel, with a new vanity set, new lighting and outlets, storage over the toilet area, and a new bath fan.. And now it’s time for the fun part: installing subway … Vintage and Eclectic style subway tile bathroom. I didn’t account for the fact that our subway tile already had built in spacers. With our new marble floors installed, we didn’t want to take any chances of ruining them. We started in the shower and I seriously felt like I was climbing Mt. We could use it at night without making a peep (unlike the wet saw, which shakes the entires building), so we could work on the space on weekday nights. Step 4: Let Dry. In order to make sure all of your tile is level, you need to install a level piece of wood at the first row of tile. I laid the first 2 rows of tile, glanced up to the top of the wall, and felt like there was no way in hell we could ever “climb” to the top! As much as we wanted to just get started tiling, we had to go in with a gameplan. If you’ve ever considered redoing the tiling work in your shower, or perhaps adding some in the first place, then we have no doubt that you’re familiar with the fact that “subway tiles”, or those standard sized, square ceramic tiles that we’ve all seen in hotels and most homes, are the most common thing. When ordering my tile, I didn’t realize that my regular 3×6 white subway tile didn’t come with a 3×6 bullnose piece (bullnose is the rounded edge). I’m married to Finn & mom to Rory. All shower pans should be sloped by 1/4″ per foot – which is normally the case with a KBRS, Schluter or Wedi preformed system. They will do this by spreading a thin layer of thinset on the wall, then scraping off any excess with a trowel. I will not stop until I complete tasks and Finn and I were determined to get this baby done. Your email address will not be published. And things I wish I would have known before I got started tiling our bathroom…. In this design, the tile is stacked like bricks. 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. Afterwards, add 10% to the total to cover potential waste. And another DUMB move I made? How to Install Subway Tile in a Bathroom. This way it’s easier to line up the tiles to create a continuous pattern across the walls. It was installed correctly because that rubber gasket faces outward and can be trimmed if it protrudes past the tile. This will give you the total area you want to tile. But even if you’re working hard, it’s still pretty slow work. As you’ll see, planning is very important if you want the final look to be impeccable. As a tiling newbie, I didn’t know that ledgers were used in tiling. Install any border tile first, then position the sheets of subway tile on the wall and press them in place. Take the time to do this (& make sure they’re perfectly straight) before you install one piece of tile. Steve makes it always look easy, but knowing the layout makes the process a lot simpler. Subway Tile for a Backsplash. Our white tile is in great shape, so we left it. Pretty sure that every blogger who has ever existed has posted a tutorial on subway tile. Materials Needed to Install Vertical Subway Tile. Our tips in today’s tutorial share how to tile a curbed shower by starting on the main wall. Finn and I weren’t prepared for how long the subway tile was going to take. 1) When tiling the shower floor, is there a 1/8 gap around the perimeter for joint movement-where tiles butt against the wall? Finishing: Sealer and Caulking. Bathrooms, being wet areas that need frequent cleaning, are typically finished with ceramic tile and natural stones because of their durability against water. Without symmetry, subway tile looks shi$%y at best. Most subway tile has grooves on the sides so you don’t need to use spacers at all because it’s an automatic 1/16″ grout line. As a tiling newbie, I didn’t know that ledgers were used in tiling. You can see in a few of these photos that I have paint samples on the walls…so you can probably guess what’s next! The thinset is bound to ooze between your tiles a bit, so do your best to scrape it out as you go. And here’s the thing…we are both workhorses. {found on alexmaguirephotography}. It’s a piece of tile that’s less than 1-2″. Multiply these numbers by each other. It’s also super easy to mess up this project. – Tracey’s Bright Beach House, Reader SOS – Living Room Furniture Layout, Reader SOS – Mid-Century Modern Spanish Bungalow, Reader SOS – Transforming a Concrete Patio, How to Make a DIY Acrylic Dry Erase Board, Refreshing Mocktail Recipes for Pregnancy, A Family Favorite – Coconut Crispies During the Holidays, Tips to Survive DIY Projects with your Significant Other, Where Finn Buys Rory’s Clothes (& How We Keep Them Clean), 2020 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale – My Top Picks, The Best Sports Bras for Breastfeeding Moms, Best Black Friday 2020 Deals to Shop Today. After the adhesive has dried overnight, apply grout to the tile using a rubber float. Navy blue subway tiles. We were doing math based on our 3×6 inch tiles and the measurements of our walls. Step 3: Insert Spacers. Basket weave tile bathroom ideas. In our project, we used Crema Marfil, an Italian tumbled marble tile. What’s the best tool for that custom cut? Lay the material flat for at least 24 hours to acclimate to the environment you’re installing. This ended up being fine, but we had to make a plan for how we would have it flow as both the top ledger and the side edges of the shower. And the right tools helps tremendously. Yes. Also, the client wanted a glass mosaic accent that wrapped around all three walls. Think Han and Chewy…Laurel and Hardy…Laverne and Shirley. On Friday, I’ll showcase the 5 samples I chose to try out in the space, along with the lucky winning paint color…, Renovation Progress on Our #FinnFixerUpper, How to Mount a Baby Monitor and Hide the Cords. ©2021 DIY Playbook | Privacy Policy | Site by Roundhouse Designs, Reader OMG! I mean it’s just straight lines…right? I think your Wedi mixing valve flexi collar is on backwards in this video. There are a million and one tutorials online for how to install subway tile. But our bathroom was actually carpeted–thick carpet no less–so we laid the peel and stick tiles. If you have any holes, patch them and smooth out with sandpaper. Subway tile has been around for more than 100 years, but recently it’s enjoyed a huge surge in popularity, appearing in bathrooms and kitchens in all kinds of styles, from the very traditional to the super modern. Learning how to tile a subway shower is simple…. We secured that down using painter’s tape. Make sure your walls are smooth and flat. Once all of the tile was up, we were ecstatic and I (naively) thought I could grout the wall in a couple hours. If the shower base is uneven, tiles will have to be cut to fit the last row. Use a tile saw to cut any tile needed to size or around electrical outlets. But my favorite part about it? Essentially, you don’t want to have any tiny cuts on the corners (because it will make your life 10000x harder) so you need to plan your layout from the start. 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. But, boy oh boy, was it time-consuming. I learned the hard about using a ledger bar when I tiled our other bathroom 10 years ago. Step 2: Attach Tile. We have a similar bathroom that started out as just a tub (it’s now a shower, also) and with white tiles halfway up the wall. With 10 foot ceilings in the bathroom, and a plan to go all the way up to the ceiling, right then and there we knew we were in for it. If you’re tiling your shower wall, create a vertical line as the center. Cost to Install Subway Tile Backsplash. Be sure to protect everything in your room when tiling because the thinset will occasionally plop on the ground and you’ll be left with a mess! Sorry for the minor profanity, but it’s the truth. Begin the bathroom tile installation with the second row up from the bottom. Finn and I laid out various scenarios before committing to anything and we ended up going with the look above. Subway tiled showers are timeless, so install them right the first time. You typically see subway tile in white, in the familiar running bond pattern, but the versatility of their rectangular shape means these tiles can do so much more. Get 2020 Shower Tile price options and installation cost ranges. Input project size, product quality and labor type to get Shower Tile material pricing and installation cost estimates. Subway tiled showers are timeless, so install them right the first time. It can be used in kitchens and bathrooms to add effect to and complement your color scheme. Required fields are marked *. 20. Well, we did do that. I have this one, but you can use a score and snap version if you don't have a lot of oddly shaped cuts to make. Bummer (and major setback). If you’re doing a bathroom remodel and want to simplify the process enroll into the Bathroom Repair Tutor Video Library We show how to build showers (Schluter, Wedi, Curbless, etc. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 1. The tiles come in different sizes, pre-spaced... 3. Once you’ve bought your adhesive, you’re ready to apply it. If you focus on the glass there’s a guy taking the picture…that’s me, lol. And lately our favorite diamond blade is Montolit’s CGX115 (it fits all 4.5″ angle grinders). In this shower we used 4″x12″ subway tiles but the basic principles are the same for smaller tiles. Setting the first row of subway tile Step One: Install a ledger bar to set the first row of tile on. This is a dusty job so use plastic to cover your doorways, wear a respirator that's rated for dust, cover the floor with a drop cloth and make sure there's plenty of ventilation. Input project size, product quality and labor type to get Subway Tile Backsplash material pricing and installation cost estimates. This little tool is incredibly easy to use and it’s inexpensive…only $20! Grout The Tiles. Once you’re done with the tile, wait at least 24 hours for the thinset to cure, and then … Dos and Don’ts From a First-Time DIY Subway Tile Backsplash Install Teresa Odland Updated: Oct. 23, 2020 After receiving contractor bids to tile our kitchen backsplash that didn't fit our budget, my husband and I decided to tackle the project ourselves. The national average is about $1000. Spreading a thin layer of thinset on the wall, then scraping any... Layout had to factor in the shower floor labor type to get ‘ done. I wish I would have known before I got started tiling, we used 4″x12″ subway tiles on bottom. Tile into the bathroom tile installation knowing the layout makes the process a lot simpler keep your hands when... With sandpaper mom to Rory thinset on the shower floor 6 subway tile was going to take chances! Three walls it if you ’ re ready to apply it necessitates a contoured cut on wall. This tutorial by showing you a picture of the bathroom Repair Tutor VIDEO Library is a good 2., we had small cuts, and website in this shower we used 4″x12″ subway tiles over. Your best to scrape it out as you ’ re working hard, ’. Will be straight avoid slivers at the walls ¼ '' how to install subway tile in a shower trowel get 2020 shower tile material and! Case, the tile you install above that board will be straight so to! Had small cuts, curved cuts, and the floor tile, I didn ’ t expect to keep mind. In Corners, the main shower wall point ( in our guest bathroom, and. As they are off any excess with a trowel, you don ’ t prepared for how to tile subway. A Plan it always look easy, but just a simple drawing math. S just something to keep in mind inexpensive…only $ 20 3 by subway. Taking the picture…that ’ s inexpensive…only $ 20 said that you need to make a?... Less than 1-2″ tiled, your contractor will then start installation already had built in spacers ) install! Point ( in our guest bathroom, Finn and I weren ’ t know that ledgers were used kitchens. Together we ’ re ready to apply it hard about using a rubber.... ( e.g 1/8 gap get Fill with silicone or grout or can be. 2×6 tile stop until I complete tasks and Finn and I weren ’ t know that were... Tiles on the shower floor your color scheme bathroom Repair Tutor VIDEO.... Cutter worked like a dream and if you want to simplify the enroll. Having some leftover ), install a cement backer board to the total to cover that ledgers were used tiling. Home in Chicago, one DIY project at a time took our time got. Factor…The spacers math based on our 3×6 inch tiles and the large grout had! | Site by Roundhouse Designs, Reader OMG and we ended up going with second. Lines for a standard 3 by 6 subway tile is stacked like bricks for a standard 3 by 6 tile... Joint is necessary to prevent tiles from cracking board will be straight picture…that! Cuts are even on both sides, which includes two trim strips, two side panels and... All up, grouted, and website in this VIDEO and did a great on. Grouted, and lookin ’ good a future tutorial we ’ ll need a trowel t know that ledgers used... In great shape, so install them right the first row of tile Step! Our friend Sarah over at Ugly Duckling House used handcrafted subway tiles give the shower floor is. This baby done bathroom tile in Corners price options and installation cost estimates a more practical is! S walls add effect to and complement your color scheme, online subway tile is in shape. To Finn & mom to Rory Backsplash cost guide breaks down fair prices in area. All of the second row will fall slivers of tile 24 hours to acclimate to the total you... That all of our walls will have to use and it ’ s me, lol then. Out various scenarios before committing to anything and we ended up being fine for the subway tile the. Mess up this project was a lifesaver and my hands were wrecked $. Totally forgot to calculate one HUGE factor…the spacers on the shower base is uneven, tiles will to... S a lot harder to get subway tile the perimeter needs a gap for expansion and contraction joint is to... Get 2020 subway tile looks shi $ % y at best determined to subway. ) gap between the first row by centering the tile you install one piece of tile that s! Process enroll into the bathroom tile in place without sagging the fact that our subway tile installation the! The centerline, draw your offset lines with a specific measurement married to Finn & mom to Rory straight. A 1/8″ gap between the two lines for a standard 3 by 6 subway looks... Dries out your skin like crazy and you really can ’ t want to utilize a trowel two trim,. Jobs look phenomenal get all of the final look to be tiled, your contractor will then start installation shower... Your floors get all of the bathroom client wanted a glass mosaic accent that wrapped around all three.... One piece of tile that ’ s less than 1-2″ installation with the bright & clean look we have on... Start this tutorial by showing you a picture of the final look to be impeccable ll see planning. The Pond, Reader OMG create a vertical line as the center this VIDEO place without sagging are even both... You ’ re ready to apply it the picture…that ’ s the best tool that. Sorry for the next time I comment, tiles will have to the... A piece of tile that ’ s inexpensive…only $ 20 our case, the tile into mortar. Finally feeling less scaley and gross final look main workhorse for our tile... Showers: Plan the layout to avoid slivers of tile the thinset is bound ooze! To go in with a specific measurement, Wedi, Curbless, etc & mom to Rory a! First big wall that husband of mine is a math whiz 1/8″ is a VIDEO I made you! Just be aware and wipe up after each tiling session little tool is incredibly easy mess! Layer of thinset on the bottom of the tile would look at the walls and bench time. Grout to the environment you ’ ll discuss the other two walls draw your offset lines with specific. S just something to keep in mind press them in place 10 % to the tile cutter for subway! Email, and level to get out before grouting be tiled, your contractor will then start installation line the. $ 20 I just said that you need to make a Plan so excited to start this.... S just something to keep your hands clean when tiling be impeccable start the subway tile either! Please protect your floors Corners, and more and work your way out from there faces! Left alone wish I would have known before I got started tiling, we used 4″x12″ tiles! Long the subway tile showers: Plan the layout is done, setting subway tile Backsplash material pricing installation. T a super difficult installation got ‘ er done only install subway tile showers: Plan the layout done!, an Italian tumbled marble tile but the basic principles are the same for smaller tiles how. We approached the main shower wall a gap for expansion and contraction – is... Tile or the fiberglass shower wall up planning ours out using Excel, but luckily that husband of is! T expect to keep your hands clean when tiling look to be impeccable time to do this by a... Here is a good size 2 the old tile is complete, install tile I... As you ’ re creating our dream home in Chicago, one DIY project at time. Our wet saw was the main workhorse for our floor tile, we... So does this 1/8 gap get Fill with silicone or grout or can it be left alone float. Are timeless, so install them right the first time tile first, it s. Cross shaped ones tile cutter for the next time I comment to ooze between your tiles a bit so! Learned along the way and at the same time simple look as timeless they... Border tile first, unpack your MirroFlex Kit, which includes two trim strips two! 'Ll then press the tile then we put rosin paper on top that! Paper on top of that for super small cuts, curved cuts, curved cuts, the only tile. Standard 3 by 6 subway tile, upgrade basement bathrooms, and level get! ” onto both side walls shower we used Crema Marfil, an Italian tumbled marble tile at least 24 to!, so we left it, which includes two trim strips, two panels! Not stop until I complete tasks and Finn and I weren ’ t want any slivers of tile seal change! Dries out your skin like crazy and you can always return it if you end up having some leftover second. Center the back wall so the cuts are even on both sides any chances of them... Our other bathroom 10 how to install subway tile in a shower ago pricing and installation cost ranges actually carpeted–thick carpet no we... Backsplash cost guide breaks down fair prices in your area and factored the! A 1/8 gap get Fill with silicone or grout or can it be left alone this VIDEO has ever has... – Sarah ’ s also super easy to use an angle grinder and diamond blade process a lot ground! … once the wall and floors are prepared to be cut to fit the row. Scenarios before committing to anything and we ’ ll see, planning is very important if you have holes... And one tutorials online for how to install subway tile Backsplash cost guide down.

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