How to Install a Subway Tile Backsplash

In this video I show the entire process of installing a subway tile backsplash. This is a complete guide with detailed installation information for the beginner.
00:00 Intro
00:28 Setup and Supplies
01:24 Tile Around an Outlet Tips
01:55 Marking Starting Point
02:21 Cutting the Tile
02:50 Installing the Tile
03:56 Cutting Tile Around Outlet
07:07 Tile Behind Range or Oven
08:42 Applying the Grout
10:06 Caulking Around the Tile Backsplash
Additional Resources:
www.guardianky.com/sgt-donovan
Items used in the video (Affiliate Links):
3x6 Subway Tile (I say 3x5 in the video, but it's 3x6) amzn.to/31vgaHd
2x6 White Bullnose Tile amzn.to/2OvG2gx
Mapei Keracolor Unsanded Grout amzn.to/384b3zV
Mapei Type 1 Tile Adhesive amzn.to/2ulsNbq
3/16 in Square Notch Trowel amzn.to/39aK3ir
Electrical Box Extender amzn.to/2S1DPf5
Mapei Keracaulk Unsanded Caulk amzn.to/2vOQxVO
Grout Float amzn.to/2GVFnAY
Grout Mixer amzn.to/2H46QAl
www.sgtdonovan.com
www.GuardianKY.com

[@nashhendo9522]

Duuuuudeeee!!! You just changed my life with that calking method. Thanks!

[@rickvinmi7141]

LOL, mine too!

[@KazakhAmerican619]

Watching it in March of 2023. Great video. I think I’ve watched like 10 videos on the same subject. Yours is right to the point, detailed and not dragged on. Clear and concise narrative is also a plus. I do not see any other recent videos. Please do not stop uploading videos as you are great at your trade. Rookies like me would benefit from your videos. Thank you!

[@Rockera1982]

Very easy to follow great video! Thanks for all the detail and links.

[@hyrumnephi]

that painters tape to make the grout lines smooth was brilliant!

[@lilyseestheworld7865]

Love the instructions! Bless you for making this video. So clear and concise!

[@danconlan8735]

Nice job and that’s a good tip with the painters tape! Thanks for sharing. DC

[@SgtDonovan]

Thanks!

[@radardimaria2261]

Very complete and concise video, thanks for making it, I've put off doing this for 5 years, but tomorrow I'm going to get it done!!

[@SgtDonovan]

Good luck! It’s one of my favorite things to do. Give yourself plenty of time but keep moving. A 3hr backsplash can easily take 12hrs if you don’t move with a purpose,. Just have a game plan and you’ll be fine.. it’s easy.

[@SoCalWatcher]

Thanks for a very informatiional video. You make it look so easy and I feel much better about doing this job after watching your video.

[@gregfisher8205]

Awesome video !! Very helpful for a rookie tiler.

[@kernow9324]

In my last home I paid a tiler to do the same job in my kitchen. It looked like crap compared to yours. Next time I'll rewatch your video and do it myself. Thanks for uploading.

[@MrKiwispirit]

U made it look so easy looks great

[@christopherhiggins4249]

This was great. I’m not handy but really want to try this to add some value to my condo.

[@sarahernandez8766]

‼️Thank you ‼️I am doing my kitchen backsplash, thanks to you, now I know what and how to do, ‼️

[@charlottev.warner7752]

Fantastic tutorial 👌. Valuable content and to the point 👉.

[@redscarecomixx]

Love this guy!

[@trumpwon8231]

Cool off set trick. Thank you.

[@taylorpresley4604]

Looks great! Thank you!

[@wintersunclothing667]

We love you! Do you have a video on prepping the wall surface?

[@m104596]

Thanks for this very informative video! Is there any downside to using tiles with built in grout lines? It seems like that would be way faster than using all the spacers.

[@Adam-fo8gr]

Great video! Using a board for the gap where the range is can be a great help if you use larger tiles. A standard subway tile of that size does not need support when you're using that type 1 adhesive. It will stick and won't slip.

[@johnozolnieks5904]

Thanks brother. Semper fi !!

[@dennisalvarez2518]

I totally liked it😜

[@allanmachado2011]

great hip pocket class

[@trumpwon8231]

Would have been cool to see the extender box install. We just use spacers. Was hoping to see if that was a better method

[@wwtv361]

Question: where your bullnose tiles meet a painted wall, do you grout or caulk the crevice? Thanks!

[@davesanchez3440]

Great video do you recommend letting the caulk dry before pull the tape off or pull off as soon as you put on when still wet. Thanks

[@MyGoogleYoutube]

Worth mentioning you should use a space for the tile that is above the countertop. Especially, with an exterior wall. You need to leave room for expansion and contraction. I know these tiles have spacers but they are resting on the countertop which means there is no space with the tile and countertop.

[@ton4268]

Do you recommend using a pre-mixed grout? Thank you in advance.

[@intotopei]

Gréât vidéo thanks! Quick question - how did you ensure that your first row was level?

[@bonnielittley2296]

Did you let the grout dry completely before caulking? And did you take the tape off right away after caulking or let it set up a bit?

[@troykress6394]

Can you add this to a painted wall or is there a way to prep the wall for the adhesive layer?

[@reeleyespersonal]

Great job! What type of trim did you put at the end where the tile met the empty wall? Did you just use a lot of caulk?

[@stupidassol]

They have bullnose pieces for this, usually located in the same area as the tile you're buying.

[@neatab9372]

Did you put joint compound on to fix the wall first? What is the white layer on the wall?

[@allenr265]

What size spacers are generally used for backsplash 1/16th or 1/8th in the kitchen. Thanks Mate...

[@ceeIoc]

Can you use just a tile cutter for all the cutting required including around the electrical outlets?

[@foldthemap]

How do you make the cuts around the outlet if you only have the scratch tile cutter?

[@shortshift327]

where you did the outlet cut out on the 3rd row, you already had a tile adhered beginning that row. How did you get the measurement for the outlet tile so that the tiles between the outlet tile and start tile would fit perfectly?

[@StephenWillard1]

FYI in the products it says 3/8 trowel. The link is correctly pointing to a 3/16, but the text says 3/8

[@SgtDonovan]

Thanks!

[@charmkae3456]

How should I prepare the wall before start it? Should the wall be painted? Or only cemented? My kitchen wall is painted already. Can I just go ahead and start tiling?

[@jlanam]

THANK YOU for the "don't stress, it doesn't have to be perfect" comment! (How did you know?)

[@iamamish]

Nice video. One thing that stumps me is ensuring that the entire project is level. Do you just assume the counter is level, and go from there? What if it isn't?

[@asiasnyder6817]

I've seen them, on This Old House, start with the second row of tiles, not the one right up against the counter. They use a scrap piece of wood the exact size of the tile as their first row, and they make sure that's level. All rows above that will be level, and then you remove the wood and do the bottom row. I can't remember if they align the tiles for the row with the tiles they installed or the counter, and I can't remember what they do to handle the sections that aren't level. But I do remember seeing the scrap wood template method on a bathroom project, a fireplace project, and an "Ask this old house" Episode when they did a backsplash in a kitchen. Hope this helps a little bit!!!!

[@iamamish]

@@asiasnyder6817 thanks, that is similar to what I’ve seen before. I need to do some more digging on this.

[@tspfull]

People also use a laser level the whole time to make sure you don’t have creep.

[@eliandroman]

Great video thanks!! So i don't need spacers right?

[@KB3M]

Some tiles have tabs on the side for usually a 1/16" gap, some have no tabs and require spacers. If this video's tile had spacing tabs they look too small or didn't have them at all imho.

[@jenolivehong3700]

Did you have to use a sealer to seal your grout? I didn't see that part in the video.

[@johnc1280]

Doing a subway tile, can I use just mastic on existing painted drywall??

[@Xx_eeveemocha_xX]

I saw other people used spacer between tile .. wonder why you don’t used it?

[@adamburkholder2260]

Shopping at Lowes this weekend I was unable to find the American Olean brand 3x5 subway tiles, but did find the Satori tiles for the same price. In watching your video I'm pretty excited about "built in spacers", which Satori does not advertise. When I butt tiles up to one another, it appears that there is about a 1/16' gap. Is this a big enough gap? When I type American Olean 3x5 into the lowes app, it says I can special order them for $5.55/square foot, which obviously isn't the 17 cents per tile price. I have a few days before I start throwing up tile, but any feedback about this would be appreciated.

[@wintersunclothing667]

It looks like it may be discontinued. I found Matte Finish for .17 at www.hioutlet.com/pd/american-olean-starting-line-white-beveled-subway-ceramic-3-x-6/28015

[@jamesfitzpatrick207]

I originally bought the American Olean for project and i was 12 tiles short. Went back to Lowes and didnt see the Ameican Olean and after buying the the Satori tile to finish I discovered the Satori gloss white is brighter than the American Olean gloss white and you cant use as the colors dont match Luckily when i brought the Satori back i found the American Olean in discontinued section and finished project

[@nicholasjohn1001]

I didn’t think you were ever coming back...

[@SgtDonovan]

I’m back!

[@mariacamacho4782]

How do you finish corners? I haven’t seen one video showing this. All is see is how to end at a flat wall

[@michaelclld]

I just installed new countertops but in a few spots the countertop is away from the wall just a little, what should I fill that in with?

[@davec.3198]

That shouldn't matter. You could always just fill it with the adhesive you are using.

[@darlenepalmer1585]

Did you have any problems going around the corner?

[@stew5980]

Caulk or grout interior corner?

[@dlopdx]

I wish people would show how to start a level tile instead of just sticking them to the walls and no spacers no mention of spacers

[@ton4268]

Quick question, do you recommend pre-mixed grout?

[@brendanrussell369]

yes

[@DanielNelson]

What if I used sanded grout in this situation? what would be the issue? difficulty getting smooth lines?

[@JXC59]

sanded grout is usually for grout lines bigger than 1/8" as the sand is a filler. Typically for large tiles or flooring.

[@Methodical2]

Is the adhesive a mastic?

[@glendavis1266]

So I wanted to know if anyone ever starts centered around the range so the grout lines look balanced behind the range and the above microwave?

[@tjatile]

Yes. Professionals always take care at windows, and behind stove to make sure layout is centered. Basically center it on the main feature of the wall.

[@jimmore4155]

Was your counter top leveled?

[@TheMargo420]

Shouldn''t your adhesive be evenly applied? Seems excessive?

[@stupidassol]

Are you using the saw without water?

[@SgtDonovan]

No

[@Ls400cripper]

Question.... When you get to the corner wall (90°) do the tile touch, overlap or leave a gap for grout? Thank you in advance!!!!!

[@tspfull]

Gap for silicone. No grout where two planes meet.

[@dlopdx]

How do you know if your counter is level ? Not all counters are level

[@dwindlefoddl7225]

No spacers between tiles?

[@tblk1860]

What about centering your tile on a cabinet or sink?

[@guiscorriveau8159]

why didnt u use the spacers??

[@juancaballero8107]

Why did you not use spacers?

[@SgtDonovan]

They are built-in on this type of subway tile (it's the only one that I know of that has them built-in, but it is a common tile in about every home improvement store). On every other tile type ( when they aren't built-in), I do use them.

[@juancaballero8107]

Thanks for the information!

[@tymom9313]

No spacers?

[@SgtDonovan]

They are built in on that tile..

[@lakerfam]

Where’s the wet saw.¿

[@johnfusco1973]

What if you’re countertop, isn’t even with the next one

[@daveyk3436]

sanded or un-sanded grout? what about a tile cutter or wet saw? why no spacers? how did you get the first row level? thin set or mastic? it's nice to make a video for people but you need to be more expansive in your details....you left out quite a bit of VERY important details

[@trumpwon8231]

I noticed no water on the saw

[@fabo806hubcity7]

Why do sun ppl use spacers and sun don’t???🤔

[@SgtDonovan]

This tile has them built in on the edges. Just about every other tile does not and needs spacers.

[@citticat2]

He didn't use spacers.

[@SgtDonovan]

This type of subway tile doesn’t need them.. they are built in.

[@jeaniechampagne8831]

You lost me at super snap tile cutter.