backsplash questions (white subway)

13 years ago

Sorry if this has been asked several times - I tried to do a search but was hoping for some direct answers. :)

We installed white subway tile - standard "Snow White" 3x6 from Home Depot.

For those of you that did the same thing and opted for white grout, did you use the "Bright White" grout from Home Depot?

Should we get sanded or unsanded grout? We used 1/8 inch spacers.

Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

northcarolina
13 years ago
Ask the tile people at HD to be sure -- that's what we did. We used their white subways in our bathroom, and I remember they had 2 different white grouts to match their 2 different white tiles (the other white tile is 4x4, I think). I believe our grout was called Snow White like the subway tile and "bright white" was the other one, but I don't remember for sure. (p.s. the HD white subways/white grout look fantastic in our bathroom :) -- definitely a different color than the 4x4's though.)
sabjimata
13 years ago
unsanded....easier to clean
Related Discussions
White subway tile backsplash. What color grout? Black? White?
Q
Comments (27)
I have the Subway Ceramics Avalon / Minas with a medium gray grout. And a Shaw's white sink, if anyone is considering that, by the way. (My contractor could have ordered it directly, but at his request, I went through a tile store, and by the time everyone had put their sugar onto it, it was OBSCENELY expensive.) I'm not an installation expert, but at least with the Subway Ceramics, the installers use little plastic spacers between the tiles (I think some others have their own spacers?) when they put them up, they don't do it freehand, so how much grout you get is a function of 1) the limits set by the curvature of the tile and 2) what size spacers they use. So you might be willing to go a little darker with a smaller grout line, or with a handmade tile that refuses to go close together, you might want to stay light. The traditional color is close to concrete. But most modern people don't seem to like that, so do what pleases you!
...See More
Anyone tired of their white subway tile backsplash yet?
Q
Comments (53)
Just giving my 2018 take on subway tile - I am definitely bored of it, mostly because I see it absolutely everywhere in bathroom and kitchen photos. The bathrooms with subway tile from floor to ceiling are especially puzzling/irritating. Varying width/length mosaic tile has been in fashion for the last several years and there's a lot of variety there - hopefully I won't get bored of that too soon but it can indeed look too busy. My style is a European look with American practicality - simple lines and a luxury look BUT lots of drawers/cabinet space and real wood, no weird stuff like wall-hung toilets, Edison lamps, or old-timey faucets.
...See More
Two different whites in subway backsplash and cabinets?
Q
Comments (3)
Exactly what lascatx said! Matchy matchy looks like you went into an existing room and sprayed everything down with a paint sprayer. The key to having a monochromatic space that works is to deliberately NOT match. The variation in color and texture is important. Without it, a room looks flat and lifeless. You want to actively seek out different whites to use, and different textures. If your counter is shiny, use something matte like a frosted glass backsplash. If your counter is matte honed marble, then a glossy glass subway tile would be great. You create interest with this variation. I have a client that used 4 different manufacturer's "white" subway tiles for the deliberate difference in colors. It's subtle, and it works spectacularly with the white grasscloth wallpaper in the breakfast area and the white crystal laden light fixture above, etc.
...See More
Back splash - Subway Tile Spacing Issue / Question
Q
Comments (11)
I am planning to use the normal spacing which is 1/16, I believe. I hadn't thought of a decorative trim to fill the gap. Are you suggesting a tile trim piece to put direction under the ledge? Or wood to extend the window frame? I really like the idea of a tile trim--I definitely hadn't thought about sticking a different piece of tile in there.
...See More
calypsochick
13 years ago
Hi, there. We used white subway tiles as well, and I obsessed over the grout color. I wanted white grout, and managed to look at the different shades of Polyblend's grout: Bright White, Snow White and Antique White, when they were installed on some Waterworks tile displays. I would recommend trying to look at an installation somewhere. Bright White is just the standard white, and it can sometimes look a little yellowish. But that's the one we went with. You can see photos of our kitchen here: www.pinkroots.blogspot.com.

I would also recommend using nonsanded grout in your kitchen. I think it just looks nicer with the subways.

Here is a link that might be useful: Our kitchen/subway tile photos

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN 10 Gorgeous Backsplash Alternatives to Subway Tile

By Vanessa Brunner

Artistic installations, back-painted glass and pivoting windows prove there are backsplash possibilities beyond the platform

Full Story

117

5 Questions for Design Stars

By Annie Thornton

Share Your Suggestions for These Exteriors, Patios and Baths!

Full Story

REMODELING GUIDES 9 Hard Questions to Ask When Shopping for Stone

By Ventana Construction LLC

Learn all about stone sizes, cracks, color issues and more so problems don't chip away at your design happiness later

Full Story

By Kelli Kaufer Designs

Thinking in advance about how you use your space will get your first design consultation off to its best start

Full Story

KITCHEN DESIGN Subway Tile Picks Up Gray Grout

By Living Small: City & Small Space Consulting

Heading into darker territory, subway tile offers a graphic new look for kitchens, bathrooms and more

Full Story

FEEL-GOOD HOME The Question That Can Make You Love Your Home More

By Laura Gaskill

Change your relationship with your house for the better by focusing on the answer to something designers often ask

Full Story

244

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Questions to Ask When Planning a Kitchen Pantry

By Susan Redman

Avoid blunders and get the storage space and layout you need by asking these questions before you begin

Full Story

188

REMODELING GUIDES 13 Essential Questions to Ask Yourself Before Tackling a Renovation

By Affecting Spaces Design Studio

No one knows you better than yourself, so to get the remodel you truly want, consider these questions first

Full Story

LIGHTING 5 Questions to Ask for the Best Room Lighting

By Karen LeBlanc Design TV Host & Writer/Blogger

Get your overhead, task and accent lighting right for decorative beauty, less eyestrain and a focus exactly where you want

Full Story

128

REMODELING GUIDES Survive Your Home Remodel: 11 Must-Ask Questions

By Mitchell Parker

Plan ahead to keep minor hassles from turning into major headaches during an extensive renovation

Full Story

backsplash questions (white subway)

Comments (3)

northcarolina

sabjimata

Related Discussions

calypsochick

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US