Kitchen Backsplash Dilemma

12 years ago

My tile guy just put in the white subway tile backsplash and I had told him to use 1/16" spacers. I didn't realize that there were nubs on the tile that already served as 1/16" spacers. I put delorian gray grout and now i feel the lines are too prominent and I wish I had 1/16" grout lines. What should I do. I am contemplating removing the tile and redoing it myself...or should I just sorta wait a bit and get used to it?

Thoughts?

The cost to buy new tile if necessary would be $250. Also, I've never done backsplash tiling so I would have to learn and do it myself.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (15)

belugacoop
12 years ago
I hate that for you. I wouldn't have known either. Since it's already done, and you would be the one to rip it out,purchase more, and put it up, I would definitely try to live with it for a while.

A tile guy could answer this, could changing the grout color (adding more, painting it?) to something closer to the color of the tile not make it stand out so much?
rellabgib3
Original Author
12 years ago
Can you change the grout lines even after its in already in place?
Related Discussions
Kitchen backsplash height, existing 4" backsplash, and ending dilemma
Q
Comments (9)
I have a similar question five years later: Is the 4" matching back splash now out of style? And how long will it stay out of style? Doubt that it would be possible to get a full matching back splash 14 years after the home was built. I am considering removing the 4" back splash and going with a complementary tile or, perhaps, a colorful wallpaper. Thoughts as to how long the short back spash will stay out of style? (I'm old enough to remember bell bottoms - the first time they were in style.)
...See More
Back-splash Dilemma
Q
Comments (10)
Look at Fireclay tiles collections, or subways by Ann Sacks. You'll find there simbtle variations and tons of colors -you'll be able to blend without overwhelming, find the most perfect color match, whether going darker or lighter..and no, you won't be bored-hadmade nature of tile will prevent it:) they'll have it in other sized/shapes as well https://www.fireclaytile.com/subway-tile/colors/ https://www.annsacks.com/products/tile-stone-mosaic/stoneware-elements-field-tile-made-by-ann-sacks#/stoneware-elements-rectangle-field%2Fnew-hartfield-beige-matte (notice squares, hexagons, matte, gloss..not that I think you have to have hexagon-your granite is enough of a star) always pick several samples first and check in you kitchen and in your light-but I think you know that..kitchen looks good:) and the last thing to mention-Kitchens forum is usually the one where all things kitchen go, including materials. you'll get the most responses there
...See More
Tile dilemma - Back-splash
Q
Comments (4)
they sound interesting enough to me, being crackled and having variation. larger size might work..what size you consider? Gray is already considered dated lol. Makes no sense to me personally as all this dated thing is a new concept I'm still struggling with-how a color can be dated? but in terms of what happens in trends etc-it's on its way out, yes. they move into warmer tones. they're still into greiges for now to bridge between things a bit. white is becoming big as a neutral. wood stains are making a big comeback. this update on trends can go on and on but i'm sure you can find thousand threads here discussing it so i'll make it short. if you're really worried-it might be you're simply are not attached to a color enough. which is okay, really. then pick off-white. off white is pretty. Even very much so. I like both off whites and grays(I do have preference for much warmer grays though) so I have off whites and warm grays. And many other colors too since I love them too. I commit by choosing something of course,-but it's fine since commitment, paradoxically, is a road to freedom:) But I admit I was also worrying when choosing..well choosing everything except for stuff like toilets etc. Of course one worries, it's a hassle and an expense and you want to love it in the end. So. Try to worry less. If you can remove "dated" from the equation- great. Go with your heart's desire. If no-then ok, take it into equation and don't do gray. Worry less. You did a great job on everything else, so no reason to think your backsplash won't turn out well either. It will.
...See More
Kitchen backsplash dilemma
Q
Comments (15)
A big Thank You to all that responded to our backsplash dilemma. We loved the stainless backsplash but it seemed too modern in our space. After sampling all of the ideas we decided on one that we think will be perfect for the backsplash. Here it is... we will grout with a dark charcoal gray! Beautiful soft emerald green
...See More
Bunny
12 years ago
Wouldn't you expect the tile guy to say, hey, there are already 1/16" nubs in there already, do you really want me to add to that and turn it into 1/8"?
joyce_6333
12 years ago
I, too,would have thought the tile guy would have mentioned this. I think you should have a talk with him, because he should have known what your intent was.
rellabgib3
Original Author
12 years ago
Yeah, unfortunately I don't think he would be okay with removing it and redoing it. He would say that I did what you told me to do.
rellabgib3
Original Author
12 years ago
It seems like you can take a grout saw and remove the grout and change it the grout line to a lighter color. Then, the lines would not be as obvious...any thoughts on that?
ghostlyvision
12 years ago
If it's a fresh installation, he may be able to remove and retile with the correct grout spacing, saving most of the tiles. You may even be able to make a deal with him on the cost of him redoing it as he should have known you wanted 1/16 inch grout line and not whatever nub came with the tile *plus* 1/16 inch. Talk to him before everything hardens and then you probably would have to replace most of the tiles.
rellabgib3
Original Author
12 years ago
The subway tile has set in for a week now. Do you think it can still be removed and be used?
ellendi
12 years ago
Can you post a picture? Sometimes as we renovate we are particularly critical of whatever stage we are doing. It might make you feel better if you get other opinions.
rellabgib3
Original Author
12 years ago
I will do that. I will post pictures later today. Please check in and give me your thoughts. It's a bit of a damper at the moment. Maybe your kind words will make me think otherwise.
rellabgib3
Original Author
12 years ago
https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/?ui=2&ik=6197c297cb&view=att&th=135acafe9a21bcb3&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P_8cps7P_O03W_6hTA0qshX&sadet=1330042150563&sads=C2Ez8M-F4_ja6OwyTFEICBncfDs&sadssc=1
enduring
12 years ago
Your picture wont open. Read the "New to Kitchens..." post on the first page of the kitchen forum for instructions on how to post pictures.
enduring
12 years ago
Your picture wont open. Read the "New to Kitchens..." post on the first page of the kitchen forum for instructions on how to post pictures.
rellabgib3
Original Author
12 years ago
Here are some of the photos. I cant change the tile now, so the options really are:

1. Leave it alone
2. Change it to Silver Shadow grout (lighter gray)
3. Change it to Bright White Spectralock

What do you guys think. The pictures show the gray lighter than it actually is. Also the spacing is a bit uneven in certain parts...

Please let me know what you think! This is important to me :(

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/t/rrfb4.jpg

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/t/3h8qq.jpg

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/t/l4jve.jpg

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/t/s4q3z.jpg

This is how it looks ungrouted (which was the look that I loved...) Unfortunately..it didn't come out that way

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/t/uj5n4.jpg
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/t/1lxry.jpg
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/t/62yvt.jpg
kitchenaddict
12 years ago
hi rella..

Your pictures are super tiny ..but from what I see, I wouldn't know that there was anything wrong with it. It looks fine to me...just wish your pics were larger..

KA:)

Kitchen Backsplash Dilemma

Comments (15)

belugacoop

rellabgib3
Original Author

Related Discussions

Bunny

joyce_6333

rellabgib3
Original Author

rellabgib3
Original Author

ghostlyvision

rellabgib3
Original Author

ellendi

rellabgib3
Original Author

rellabgib3
Original Author

enduring

enduring

rellabgib3
Original Author

kitchenaddict

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Kitchen Backsplash Dilemma

Comments (15)

rellabgib3Original Author

Related Discussions

rellabgib3Original Author

rellabgib3Original Author

rellabgib3Original Author

rellabgib3Original Author

rellabgib3Original Author

rellabgib3Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

rellabgib3
Original Author

rellabgib3
Original Author

rellabgib3
Original Author

rellabgib3
Original Author

rellabgib3
Original Author

rellabgib3
Original Author

rellabgib3
Original Author