Last Updated on December 18, 2023 by lindseymahoney
To lower the cost of our kitchen renovation, I decided to install the white subway tile backsplash myself! The most expensive part of installing a new backsplash is generally the labor and not necessarily the materials.
If you can master the skill of tile installation, you will save big bucks!
Along with a detailed tutorial on how to install subway tile yourself, I am also sharing all of my tips and tricks for this money-saving DIY.
Tiling a Kitchen Backsplash Tutorial for Beginners
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In 2019 we moved into our new home and began a major kitchen renovation. To save some money in our budget, I decided to tackle the backsplash installation myself. Our house has a traditional design and white subway tile fits the classic design perfectly.
It was a little intimidating considering the scale of our kitchen project, but I knew with careful planning I could pull it off.
1 | Measure the Backsplash for Materials
First, you need to calculate how many subway tiles and grout you will need for the backsplash. Measure the height and width of the backsplash area you will be tiling.
Find the center point of each backsplash wall and mark it with a vertical line.
When installing a subway tile backsplash, you always begin the first tile in the center of the wall, at the edge of the wall.
By determining the layout of each tile before installation, you will prevent awkward cuts at the end of a row or when the tile ends at the ceiling.
While this is a DIY project, we still want the subway tile backsplash to look professional!
Calculate Subway Tiles Needed Horizontally in Each Row
For this project, I am installing an offset running bond pattern on the wall behind our stovetop.
- The size of this wall is 60″x60″.
- The size of each subway tile is 3″x6″.
Next, find the center of the wall where the subway tile backsplash will go.
The center point of the backsplash = Width of the backsplash wall / 2
- 60″ width / 2 = 30″ center point
The center of the first tile is installed on this center line. If one tile is 6″ wide then 3″ will sit on each side of the center line.
Subtract the 3″ from the center point (30″) then divide the remainder by the width of each tile.
Distance Remaining on Each Side Once the First Tile is Laid = Center Point – Half Width of One Tile
- 30″ to center of the wall – 3″ =27″ Remaining distance on each side of the wall
Number of Tiles Needed On One Side of the Wall = Remaining Wall Distance / Width of subway tile
- 27″ remaining distance / 6″ tile width = 4.5 tiles on one side of the wall
The .5 means that the final tile on both ends of the row will be 3″, or half the 6-inch width tile. You want to avoid a number like 4.1″ where each edge would be a tiny sliver of a tile.
If you do end up with a sliver of a tile, you can shift the center point on the wall slightly to make that final cut easier.
Total Amount of Tiles Needed for One Row = (Tiles Needed On One Side of the Center Line x 2) + 1 center tile
If 4.5 subway tiles are needed on each side of the center line, we will double that number and add a single tile on the center line.
- 4.5 + 4.5 + 1 = 10 subway tiles per row
Calculate Vertical Rows of Subway Tile Needed
You will then make the same calculation for the subway tiles going up the wall. Again, you want to avoid any cuts that are super small on the last row that would look odd.
- Height of the wall = 60″
- Height of one tile = 3″
Take the total height of the wall and divide it by the height of the tile (3″).
Number of Vertical Rows = Height of the Backsplash wall / Height of the Subway Tile
- 60″ wall height / 3″ tile height = 20 vertical rows of subway tile (no spacers included in this calculation)
An even number is great, however, most homes do not have perfectly level ceilings. Be aware of how your grout lines will look if a slope in the ceiling is significant.
The ceiling over our wet bar had a noticeable slope and I had to make slightly different cuts for all of the tiles in the top row.
Include Grout Lines in Your Calculation
For this DIY subway tile installation, I wanted small grout lines and therefore did not use spacers between each tile. Even though I did not use spacers, a spacer between the first tile and the countertop is necessary.
Grout Spacer = 1/8″ or 0.125
- 20 Tiles (rows) – 0.125 = 19.875 Tiles
There are many different spacer sizes, but I chose 1/8 for our kitchen. Since I am only using the space for the first row, I only had to subtract 1/8″ from the total vertical distance.
Total Tiles Needed = Total Tiles per row x Total Number of Rows + Grout
- 10 per row * 20 rows rounded up = 200 subway tiles
- 200 + 20 (10% waste) = 220 total subway tiles
Factor in an additional 10% for waste (20) giving us a total of 220 subway tiles for the backsplash behind the stovetop.
2 | Gather DIY Materials
Behind the stove top where I am installing the backsplash, the subway tile runs into hard edges and does not require Schluter trim or a bullnose edge tile for a finished look.
Our wet bar, however, does require a finished edge on one edge of the backsplash. I chose a bullnose edge tile for a streamlined look, but Schluter trim would have also looked good and offered a variety of options based on material or color.
3 | Make a Vertical Centerline on the Wall
Use a level to draw a vertical line in the center of the backsplash wall.
A laser level is ideal for tile installation, but I do not own one, so I used a hand level and marked the wall with a pencil.
On the wet bar wall, I first marked the edge where the subway tile would end, then I found the center of the backsplash.
For the wet bar, I first installed the finished edge of the backsplash using bullnose subway tile vertically stacked up the wall. If you install a finished tile edge as I did, make sure to use that in your calculations when determining the size of the final tile in each row.
- 2″x6″ bullnose edge subway tile
Length of the wall – 2″ = Length of Tiling area
I took the original length of the wall and subtracted 2 inches to account for the 2×6 bullnose edge.
When marking the center of the backsplash I took the distance from the inside edge of the bullnose tile to the other end of the wall.
*Follow the calculations detailed in step 1.
Next, check that the countertop is level before installation. A horizontal laser level is ideal, but checking with a hand level works as well.
If the countertop is not level, you will need to adjust the first row of tiles so the remaining rows will not be crooked.
4 | Place the First Tile
The first tile will go on the vertical center line marked on the wall. Even if you choose to skip spacers when installing the subway tile, you must add a spacer between the countertop and the first row of tiles. This allows for any expansion and contraction of the countertops and cabinets.
*I decided to add a soldier detail to the first row of subway tiles, which means the first row is installed on its side. The same rules apply.
To be exact as possible, I physically mark the center of the first tile in each row to ensure it is completely centered. Using a marker, I made a small line right at 3″ on the subway tile (for the soldier row, I marked it at 1.5″).
I applied the tile adhesive to the back of the tile whenever installing the bottom first row of the backsplash.
Using a putty knife I scoop the tile adhesive onto the back of the subway tile and use the square notch trowel to scrape the adhesive at an angle to create deep grooves.
The deep grooves create a suction when it attaches to the wall and secures the subway tile in place. Place a tile spacer on the countertop and attach the subway tile to the centerline on the wall.
5 | Install Tiles That Do Not Require Any Cuts
Once the first row of subway tiles was installed, install all of the tiles that do not require cuts. Basically, all of the edge pieces were left until the end so I could cut them all at once.
The tile adhesive can either be applied directly on the wall or on each individual tile (back buttering).
You want the thickness of the tile adhesive to be the same across the entire wall. I used both options when installing the DIY subway tile backsplash, it’s really just a personal preference.
Tip: When starting a new row, I prefer to backbutter the first tile so I can better aline the center of the tile to the center line marked on the wall.
Each time I start a new row, I create a center mark on the tile and place it directly above a seam of the row below. I also backbutter the tiles if I can’t get a good angle putting the adhesive on the wall.
Once you complete one or two rows, use your tile float tool to press the tiles toward the wall. Lightly pressing on multiple tiles at the same time helps to keep them level against the wall.
You want to avoid having any tiles or tile corners pressed further down into the adhesive. Periodically check your rows on top with the hand level to make sure you are not going crooked.
6 | Cut Final Tiles
I prefer to wait until the end to make all of my end cuts with a tile saw. Take the measurement of each missing tile and cut them with the saw.
Tip: While the uncut tiles are being installed, use a spare tile to check the vertical spacing for the end pieces.
I ran into a few instances where the end tile was too tight so I had to shave a sliver off of the top of the tile to get it to fit. It isn’t noticeable, but it is easily avoidable by doing a quick spacing check during installation.
Cutting Tile Around Outlets
When cutting your tile around outlets, take the measurement and cut small lines on the tile using your wet saw. Snap off the slivers of tile to create the perfect inset for the outlet.
Cutting the subway tile is the most time-consuming part of the project but it is important to take your time to get the cuts as accurate as possible.
Instead of putting the adhesive on the wall, backbutter the tiles individually and place them in the appropriate spot. Use the tiling float to press the tile to the wall. This ensures your tile aligns with the other tiles and is not sticking out or indented.
When your tiles have all been installed, let the adhesive dry for 24 hours.
7 | Remove Adhesive In the Seams
Use a putty knife to scrape out any seams that have adhesive smushing through. You want your grout to completely fill the seams and it won’t be able to if the cracks are already filled with adhesive.
8 | Apply the Grout
I chose a dark gray grout for the subway tile in our kitchen. I generally tend to lean towards darker grout in the kitchen to avoid stains from food like spaghetti sauce.
You can buy pre-mixed grout or mix it yourself. I actually prefer pre-mixed grout but Home Depot did not offer any that was un-sanded. Follow the instructions to mix the grout properly.
When you have tiny grout lines (I didn’t add any spacers), it is better to have un-sanded grout for a cleaner finish.
Tip: Before applying the grout, tape the walls and ceiling around the tile edges. This will prevent paint touch-ups once the grouting is complete.
Lay down a drop cloth under the tiles to keep the area clean. Use your grout float to apply the grout to the subway tile seams.
Work it fully into the seams to avoid any air pockets. Check the instructions for the grout you purchased to see their recommended wait time to wipe off the grout on the tiles. Mine recommended 20 minutes.
Use a sponge and bucket of clean water to remove the grout from the faces of the subway tiles. Change your water often to keep it as clean as possible. Clean water helps to remove the grout more quickly.
9 | Remove Grout Haze
Wait 2 hours for the grout to cure and harden.
Next, use cheesecloth (I just used an old cloth towel) to clean the grout haze off of the tiles. I take this time to clean up any seams that look uneven or too thick. Apply more pressure if some of the grout doesn’t want to be removed.
Tip: Once removed the grout with a wet sponge I like to wait 20-30 minutes and then lightly wipe down the tiles again with a dry cheesecloth or rag. The grout has begun to harden and you can remove a lot of the haze with this extra step. After 2 hours I wipe the tiles again to remove the remaining grout haze.
DIY Subway Tile Backsplash Reveal
With good preparation, tackling a DIY subway tile installation can be quite easy!
Each time you tackle a tiling project you will feel a little more confident and make fewer mistakes, so don’t be afraid to take a chance and try it out.
I love how the dark grout compliments the dark gray vertical plank backsplash under the cabinets.
Subway Tile DIY Source List
- Daltile subway tile
- Bullnose Edge Tile or Schluter Trim for finishing edges
- Tile Adhesive: I prefer pre-mixed adhesive
- Grout: For smaller grout lines, unsanded grout creates a smoother finish.
- Spacers: For the smallest grout lines, you can skip spacers, but remember they will be needed for the space between the first row and countertop
- Square Notch Trowel
- Grouting Float
- Level
- Tape Measurer
- Marker & Pencil
- Putty Knife
- Sponge & Bucket
- Tabletop Tile Saw for more precise cuts around outlets, but the manual cutter works just fine for straight cuts
- Rags
- Dropcloth
- Stepstool
Previous Tiling Experience
Basement Bathroom
My first DIY tiling project was in our basement bathroom when we lived in Denver in 2016. I learned an incredible amount from that tile project, including what products I do NOT want to use again.
Toledo Flip House Kitchen Backsplash
The second tiling project I tackled went much smoother at our Toledo flip house. I knew I needed to improve my skills, so I hired a professional and asked if I could help him with the installation.
Not only was I saving money by acting as the assistant, but I also learned valuable tile installation skills to DIY later! I highly recommend shadowing someone with a stronger skillset if you are intimidated by tiling projects on your own.
Tip: If you purchase the materials for your contractor, it will save money. Taking on this task eliminates the time the contractor would bill you to purchase the materials himself.
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