Subway Tile Kitchen Backsplash Designs: Expanding Your Options in Part II
This past week, we started looking at a kitchen subway tile backsplash installation project. We started by going through the initial steps of planning out and laying out the project and talked about issues of proper substrate materials and techniques for cutting and spacing the tile properly. Today, we will continue with discussing the next steps in this type of project which include adhering the tile to the substrate and spacing between each tile to allow for a grout line and installation of grout.
The choice of selecting a mortar (an adhesive to connect thevtile to the sibstrate) can be important. We generally recommend using a white modified thinset mortar for light-colored tiles to make clean up easier. Even more importantly, light color mortar should be used for semitransparent or fully transparent tile. It’s important to prevent dark shadowing through translucent or even semi translucent tiles. About 15 years ago, glass tiles became very popular but the substrate and the mortar would show through glass tiles.
Preparation for installation of glass tile must be done with good planning and accurate layout. Mistakes such as insufficient application of a double application of mortar base when installing glass tile, may lead to omissions or errors in the in the substrate prep which may cause problems in the next step of the installation.
In the photo below, the floor tile is set with a relatively thin grout joint. The tile used though is relatively large and into a thick bed of mortar. Since the particular type of tile shown is a moderately large format, the larger size both accommodates but also requires a relatively thick bed of mortar. Smaller tiles will generally use a lesser amount of mortar bed.
A thicker bed of Border can allow for a higher degree of flexibility to accommodate a less than perfect substrate. Relatively thin grout lines though require incredibly precise substrates and substrate preparation. A relatively thick bed of mortar may be able to accommodate more modification to align the overall planar surface.
The picture below shows how regular kiln-fired ceramic and white glazed tile are set against the top of a wood countertop to start the lowest course of a tile backsplash on the wall behind the kitchen sink and associated countertop.
The thinset should normally be applied using a notched trowel held at a 45-degree angle. This can create consistent ridges, which will essentially measure out the specific application of mortar, required for proper tile adhesion. Notch trowels are available in a variety of different tooth sizes. The size of the tooth or notch of the trowel will dictate the amount of mortar or the thickness of the mortar bed left on the substrate surface. The same principles apply to floor and wall tile installations as well. It generally helps to work in small sections to prevent the mortar from partially drying and skinning over before tile placement.
As we mentioned in last week’s article, for cutting tiles, a wet saw works the best. It produces the cleanest edges, though a manual score-and-snap cutter can work well enough for straight cuts, in some cases.
Special attention should be paid to corners, edges, and areas around electrical outlets. In some cases, depending on the family or group of tile products selected for the field tile, there may be a compatible edge tile that can terminate the tile within the field of a planar area of a wall, or at the outside corners of a wall. Inside corners generally can join between the planar areas of tile without extra provisions because the cut edges will not be visible in inside corners when space appropriately and joints correctly.
Metal and or plastic tile edge trim can also be used for a consistent termination edge on exposed tile edges, such as the outside wall corners we mentioned. For outlet boxes, mud ring box extenders can be used to bring the devices flush with the new tile surface, and consider specialized tile spacers designed specifically for maintaining consistent spacing around outlets.
When grouting, we recommend choosing a color that either matches or intentionally contrasts with your tile. Sanded grout works well for joints 1/8 inch or larger, while unsanded grout is better for tighter joints. (In a future coming blog, we’ll talk more about the difference between sanded grout and non-sanded grout.) It’s generally best to apply grout diagonally across the tiles using a rubber float, Rubber floats have a good trade-off or combination of both moderate rigidity to be able to use the tool to force the grout down into fill the voids in the grout joint spaces but also enough flexibility to follow a bit of the contour of the face or surface of the ceramic tile.
Typical subway tile will have a bevel at the edge. This is common with ceramic tile. Natural Stone tile, by comparison may have a chamfer, a slight angled bevel at the edge which is generally a smaller amount of overall taper or bevel, or may even be close to flush cut. The next picture below shows an example of a larger format subway tile with a bevel at the perimeter. This particular bevel is intended to create a entirely different aesthetic than the other subway tiles shown here in this article.
Also, another particular difference about this specific tile installation is that instead of running the tile on a horizontal half stagger, similar to a running bond, here in this example the tile is set on a square bond, but in a vertical position. It is completely different in terms of layout.
Dupont Kitchen & Bath Can Help
As dedicated and local DC metropolitan kitchen and bath builders and installers, we pride ourselves on turning your visions into reality. Your kitchen can reflect your unique style and be designed with personalized aesthetics. It can be a process from creative designs to the realization of your dream space. Specializing in kitchen and bath construction, we bring expertise and skills to every project.
If you’re contemplating a renovation, upgrade, or modernization in the local market, we’re happy to be your team. Consult with us, and we can start together on a path to redefine and elevate your DC living experience.
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