DIY

Tiling Backsplash {Beveled Subway Tile}

Before I even start I want to be clear that the way I did my tile is probably quite far from the way a professional would do it.  I basically did a bunch of research online and then made it up as I went.  I definitely made mistakes along the way which I am going to outline for ya’ll because the information that I found didn’t touch on some of these things.  I chose a beveled subway tile that I bought at buytile.com.  I didn’t have any really big problems with the company when ordering, it came fairly quickly and it was the cheapest option in a beveled tile that I found.  Once it came, I realized I would have to find some tile to finish the edges with. The little bit of information I found about beveled subway tile said that you should use quarter round trim tile to finish it.  So I went up to Lowes to see all my besties and ordered some quarter round trim tile from them in the color option that best matched the other tile I bought.

I am not going to go into every little detail about tiling because there are alot of tutorials out there that can do that.  Here is one.  Here is another.  I would also watch some youtube videos if I was ya’ll.  I am gonna do a little overview and discuss some issues specific to beveled tile.

Materials I used:

-Beveled edge subway tile

– Quarter round trim tile-  You need an trim tile with beveled subway tile due to the differences in thickness between the edge and the middle.  It’s totally a thing.  I promise.

– wet saw

– level

– porcelain marker

– tape measure

1/4 inch spacers– I just laid these flat on granite to space the tile evenly above it.

1/16 inch spacers– I totally used these the wrong way.  Disaster.  As a result my spaces were actually about 1/8 inch.

– Ready to use universal adhesive

– Notched trowel

– Mapei Keracolor unsanded grout white

– Grout Boost (unsanded)-  I mixed my grout with this instead of water

– Smallish grout float-  I started using this but then I dumped it and used a paint stir stick and my finger.  Obviously the wrong way as well.

– special grout sponge thing

-Maipei Keracolor siliconized acrylic caulk

-caulk gun

I also decided to just buy a $90 wet saw (the cheapest they had) from Lowes because I knew I wanted to take my time with it and renting them ain’t cheap.  I thought I had really tricked the world with this until I got home and realized the damn thing was some assembly required.  Crap.  And the directions they gave me for assembling it may as well have been written in Chinese.  Double crap.  And so after procrastinating by eating half a box of Cheerios, I began assembling my saw by guessing.  Incredibly, I was able to figure it out.  Then I called my dad over to tighten the diamond blade to make sure it was bolted in.  Scenarios that involved the blade flying up into the air mid-cut seemed less than desirable.  Also, wet saws are a big old mess so take it outside to work or a place that you don’t mind getting messy.

I started out by figuring out how to cut some tiles so that they would be exactly half the size of a full tile.  The measuring for this is actually trickier that it would seem and I have no words of wisdom for you on this except use your math skills.  And make sure your wet saw has water in the bottom before cutting.  Just believe me on this one.

The spacers I used along the bottom of the tile between the tile and the granite were 1/4 inch and the spacers I used for between tiles were 1/16 inch.  Then of course I actually used them incorrectly so the spaces grout lines ended up being 1/8 inch.  Oh well.

In order to start the running bond tile pattern that I used for the subway tile look, I started at the most visible edge of the counter and laid out a full tile at the very bottom edge and then a half tile on top of that working my way up.  Of course everything that I saw on the internet said start in the middle point of the wall but that seemed way stupid to me so I didn’t listen.  As long as you work from one side to the other, you will be able to find your pattern.

On applying the adhesive…I used the basic adhesive from Lowes called Ready To Use Universal Adhesive.  I used the smaller notched trowel I found at Lowes  and spread the adhesive on that way for most of the job but I actually back buttered quite a few tiles as well because I could get more of the adhesive on that way when it was in a small space.  This just means putting the adhesive directly on the tile.

To make cuts, I did some measurements but mostly I just held the tile up to the space and marked on it where it needed to be cut.  This is probably one of the reasons it too me so long.  You will learn quickly that the blade on the saw is thick and you will lose some of the tile when making your cuts.

I placed the main tiles first primarily and then put the trim pieces on.  I always used my level to make sure everything was staying straight.

For the corners, I had my dad come over to help me set up a 45 degree cut to form a corner.  Then, I shortened the trim piece to fit in the appropriate space.  Any little gaps can be filled with grout.

Let dry for appropriate time.

Mix up smallish amount of grout as it dries quickly.  I don’t have pictures of grouting.  Sorry.  To fill beveled tile, you need to push the grout into the gaps.  I ended up using a paint stirrer stick from the paint department at Lowes.  Then I took my finger and ran it over the crack to expose the bevel section so it isn’t covered.  Then let dry for 20 minutes and wipe the extra gunk off the grout and smooth the line with the sponge.  I used one that was kinda rough and one side and spongey on the other.

When the grout has had some time to dry (the directions will tell you specifically) wipe the tile so it is clean and shiny.  There is probably something special to do this with but I didn’t have it.

I let my grout dry for w few days before caulking.

Caulk between the tile and counter.  Apply caulk, run your finger over it, and then take a damp cloth and wipe off excess.

Other mistakes I made: (that I remember)

– Wear your shoes when you cut the tile (along with your fancy goggles and mask).  The tile chips and there will be porcelain shards everywhere.  I was feeling too cool for shoes and paid the price.  It is not fun to get shards in your foot on 3 separate occasions on the same day.  Also the shards will track around so be careful about vacuuming when you finish for the day.

– When you remove the outlets before tiling, pull the whole inner box out including the little tabs that hold it to the wall.  You want to cut the tile as close to the hole size as possible.  This way you can put the tabs on top of the tile and the covers will be where they need to be.  I ended up having to rig mine up and definitely did it the wrong way.

I will add if I think of anything else that is important.  Here is more closeup of the finished product…

Obviously I need to paint the window sill.  We actually had to redo it before I started tiling so it is just the primed molding color at this point.

Check back to my post from yesterday to see a before and after of the whole kitchen if your heart so desires.

 

 

  1. Taylor

    HAHAHAHAHAAA!!! You are too hilarious Meg. Crap. Double Crap. Speaking of crap, I’ve been trying to bring that word back. People don’t use it enough. It’s a less offensive curse word and it’s funny and you can say it like a Mid-Westerner and make it sound even funnier.

    I love the fact that you can even make a tiling tutorial funny. I never plan on doing this myself… I do not have the patience or gifts thatyou do but reading about it sure made me crack up this morning. Good job Megs. I LOOOOOOVE the way it turned out. Love the tile! I also love those outlet covers. And I love you.

  2. Lindsey Regan Thorne @ be pretty

    For realz… I can’t believe you managed to do all of that… without giving up and with the patience! I would have given up prior to ordering! What a huge accomplishment, girl! I can’t believe you actually used that saw! That’s cray girl… Well, it turned out fabulous and I’m beyond impressed! 🙂

  3. Kat Dawg

    You know, when we need something built or fixed around the apartment, I just get Colleen to do it……but I think I may start asking you now

  4. marilyn

    Now you can come do ours.
    Dad

  5. Rhoda @Southern Hospitality

    Love, love your subway tile! I’m making those same decisions on my soon to be kitchen and am planning to do subway tile too. I’m so attracted to this type backsplash & it’s so classic & timeless.

  6. Fayette

    I love what you did with your back splash and would like to know where to purchase the out let covers you used on your subway tile.
    Thank yuou

  7. finman326@gmail.com

    I love what you did with your back splash and would like to know where to purchase the out let covers you used on your subway tile.
    Thank you
    Fayette

  8. Megan

    Hi Fayette! I bought them from Lowes and Allen and Roth is the name of the brand. There is a bunch of different types in the line but here is an example…Thanks!
    http://www.lowes.com/pd_325961-77652-WW018-RR_4294722460%2B4294820092%2B4294778549%2B4294800558%2B4294800510__?productId=3142683&Ns=p_product_avg_rating|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_avg_rating%7C1&facetInfo=White|Decorator%20duplex%20receptacle|Decorator%20rocker|Decorator%20single%20receptacle

  9. j

    The tile comes in Arctic White and Biscuit. Which color is yours? I just sent a link of your project to my husband and told him this is exactly what I want. He didn’t want to do beveled due to the uneven edging, so I’m glad you addressed how to solve that problem with the trim! Glad I found your project!

  10. Megan

    J, I would go artic white. Definitely not biscuit! That will be beige. Unless you wanted beige. :). Let me know if you have any more questions I can help with.

  11. Matt

    Awesome job on the tile. You mention in your narrative that there were porcelain shards everywhere. I clicked on the link the the http://www.buytile.com site and it mentions that their most popular time is the porcelain white beveled but the links on their site are for all ceramic white tiles, (which seems to be a replacement tile to their previous offering). Was your tile porcelain? or ceramic? can you please provide more details on your tile, the manufactuer, part#, description etc.
    Thanks so much.
    Matt

    • Megan

      Hi Matt, Sorry it has taken me a few days to get back. I went outside to look at the box I have left and couldn’t find any of the information on it. It has been awhile since I did this so I most likely threw the receipt away that may have that info. The box said TGT on it. I went to the buytile website and it does look like they no longer use the Yukon beveled subway tile that I used. I can’t tell you for sure if it will be the same tile. I do know that I misspoke when I said porcelain shards. I meant ceramic shards as my tile was ceramic. Sorry for the confusion but I mostly cared that the tile was beveled and less about whether it was ceramic or porcelain. Wish I could be more help. Here is the link to the replacement tile. Mine was arctic white.
      http://www.buytile.com/home.php?main_page=product_info&catname=green&products_name=arctic_white_beveled&szid=203&cPath=&products_id=32053

      • Matt

        Thanks Megan, I appreciate your feedback. Great job on the tile. It looks fantastic.
        Matt

  12. Katherine

    Hello! I am so thrilled to see your post about beveled subway tile. I’m really excited about getting our shower tiled in it, and I wanted to ask you if you could can tell a difference between cheaper and expensive subway tiles. I got a quote of 8.25 a sq. ft. from a local place, but then I found it at FloorandDecor for like 49 cents per tile (I think that ends up being like 4.00 per sq ft.) The only thing I can think of that might differ is the sharpness of the bevel. Having worked with it, do you have ay opinion on how the quality of tile might differ?

    • Megan

      Hi Katherine! I think my tile was less than $2 per square foot and I am very happy with how it looks. Typically those more expensive tiles are handmade or something else fancy like that and I am sure they look lovely when installed but for the purposes of a shower stall which will mostly be seen by you and is not so on display, I would definitely go with the cheaper option. A less drastic bevel may be better with a shower for cleaning purposes anyways. I think you are safe going with a cheaper option. I love mine and have no issues with it. 🙂

  13. Lindsay

    Hi! Where did you get your sink. I am looking for the same exact style for my kitchen renovation…. I would really appreciate if you could let me know! thank you so much

  14. home improvement endevours

    Hello colleagues, how is the whole thing, and what you would
    like to say on the topic of this post, in my view its truly remarkable
    in favor of me.

  15. Jerry

    Hi Megan, Jerry here. Outstanding job, I’ve been researching the beveled tile for a month now, looking for the how to sites your explanation was perfect for the DIY person. Thing that had me most concerned was the grouting, I read other sites where the person filled the grout lines so thick that it made the bevel disappear and you ended up with a flat tile. I was trying to come up with a prop, fixture, tool, etc. that would make it easier to remove the grout down to a specific, consistent thickness and I wasn’t thinking of spacing the tile at all, just butting them up to each other but I love the 1/16, 1/8 spacing. Now I’m ready to get on with tiling my entire bathroom, approx. 725 tiles, I know what the heck was I thinking…. Oh! I had a person come look at the job but she said it would be very costly and take a great deal of time because it would be very difficult to keep the tile on a straight line, she refused the job, and the bathroom is only 8′ X 8′ and only 50% tiled. God what am I thinking probably won’t finish until the spring, it’s the beginning of Jan, 2015.
    Thanks so much, EXCELLENT!
    Jerry

  16. Dia

    Two remarks: are the cross spacers not be put on the corners?!!
    Ever heard of a Schluter moulding? Makes the edging far simpler. Thanks for
    The info about the best price.

  17. Nancy

    So glad to read your post. I just put up a backsplash in our farm home in IL and also choose a bevelled tile although it had a rough surface. I painfully applied the grout with my finger and went over it again and again to push the grout into the groove while leaving the bevelled edge exposed. It took FORVER!! I wonder if there is not a tool out there like a frosting bag where you can squeeze in a small line of grout!! Someone needs to invent that!! Maybe a frosting bag with a small tip would actually work.

  18. jill smith

    I love your beveled tile and I actually love your 1/8″ grout lines and I might do the same!

  19. Sandy reed

    So inspirational and funny. I found your blog when researching backsplashes after stumbling across the beveled subway tile at lowes. I had my countertops done 2 years ago with some dramatic granite. I didn’t realize at the time that I would have such a hard time finding tile. These are timeless, elegant, simple, classic. I got started tonight on a small section since I have never tiled before. My biggest mistake was mixing up way way too much thinset. Boogered up some cuts around the outlets. Got cold and wet with the saw out in the garage. Said “crap” a lot. Wasted more than a few tiles. Made a mess. Trim goes up tomorrow and grout the day after. Need to rewire the almond outlets to white too. Thanks for making me believe I could do it.

  20. donkey boy

    you mention the word professional as if they would do a better job than you. I would be v surprised if you could find any so-called pro to do a better job. they would most likely bend you over in front yur toilet and bang u in the bunghole as they put your head in the john.

  21. Kara A Trombly

    Great job! Working on our kitchen now and having trouble with edging. How did you get the grout line to look so good between the full beveled piece and the half piece above, because they are too different thicknesses?

    Thank you!

  22. kari

    hi megan! i loooove your kitchen! i was curious about how you did your window sill! do you have a post for that? we are getting ready to do our backsplash and we have no window sill at all. not sure where to begin on that. any advice would be amazing!

    • Megan

      Hi Kari! Gosh, it was so long ago that I can’t really remember all the steps. I know it is two pieces of wood…the part that you would call the sill that has to be cut to size with the ends making a lip on either side of the window over the wall and then the molding piece that goes flat on the wall underneath. I think we just nailed them into place and caulked around all sides and painted. I am sure Google knows. Sorry I can’t be more help!!!

  23. Kari

    Wow! I’m shocked you responded! Thank you for taking the time, I really appreciate it! I will continue to research! 🙂

  24. Christine

    I think your tile project looks fantastic…especially the beveled tiles! How beautifully they catch the light! Enjoyed reading your funny post too. I have the same delay strategy…except I eat a sleeve of saltines LOL! Thanks so much for sharing your experience…it has helped me alot! ???? Christine @ Must Love Home

  25. Christine

    Sorry, my computer went crazy..instead of a smiley face it put question marks after I said your post helped me a lot. I have no idea why it did that.This darn Windows 10 has really messed up my computer! You definitely helped me…just wanted to clear that up! – Christine

  26. chuck

    Meg, your project was beautifully done and one of the most detailed jobs I’ve yet to see. My tiles were ordered from overstock.com and arrives tomorrow. They are the same as yours just a different color. I just happened to luck up on your tutorial and now my confidence level is riding high that I can have the same finished product as yours. You have answered questions that I was entertaining like best way to cap off ends, inserting grout the old fashion way, cutting around outlets, proper size and placing of spacers, and allowing for blade thickness when cutting half a tile. I’ve watched dozen of you tubes and at times they are contradictory but thank you for having a style of your own. Nothing wrong with being politically incorrect at times. My concern is finding a compatible end piece that matches up. I may have to improvise as you did. Meg, u r a sweetheart

  27. Candice

    Where did you get your faucet??? It’s beautiful