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2 x 4 or 3 x 6 Subway Tile For Kitchen Backsplash

8 years ago

I know this pic is all over Houzz. Do you know if this subway tile is 2 x 4? We are considering a 2 x 4 for our total kitchen remodel with white shaker and carrara honed counters. We always figured we would do 3 x 6 to keep it traditional but a designer told me 3 x 6 is should be in the bathroom and 2 x 4 in the kitchen and kitchen will still be timeless. Any thoughts?

http://www.houzz.com/photos/query/2-x-4-subway-tile-fiorella

Thx,

G

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Comments (4)

eam44
8 years ago
You can use any size you want in either room. There are no rules that apply. That said, I love the look of larger format tiles in a bs, so, 4" x 8" or even 3" x 12". They look so elegant, and there's less grout to clean. Chose whatever looks best to you.
beth09
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Your link did not capture a single picture, but if you meant this one, it is 3x6.

San Jose Res 2 · More Info

These are 2x4.

Traditional Kitchen · More Info

When you are wanting info on a picture, if you look to the upper right of it, under the title of the pic, "ususally" (but not every time) it will say Questions with a little tab next to it. Click on that and scroll down the page just a bit and you will see where other people asked questions about the pic and the answers. Often the tile is brought up in question on what size, color, where to buy, etc. This can be really helpful when searching for particulars. HTH :)

p.s. I agree, you can use any size you want!
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Please help me choose 3x6 or 4x8 backsplash tile
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I had the same thoughts before reading everyone else's posts...The 3 x 6 is more 'standard' and traditional, while the 4x8 would be a little more unique and bring a modern or industrial twist or zing to your kitchen...which I can like with traditional elements. Depends on what you want it to do. And Plllog does have a point about smaller tiles fitting in around things better, but I wouldn't necessarily let that decide it for me. Will one fit in the spaces using whole tiles, while the other will require cutting all the way along? (Remember to figure in grout lines) Even if I liked one better, if the other fit in whole, THAT could sway me to change my mind.
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In 1913, what sized subway tile besides 2x6? Minibrick? 2x4?
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Thanks Francois47 and Marita40. I'm starting to think it must have been a N.W. thing. Our upstairs bathroom still has the 2x6 subway tiles and I read somewhere online that old houses (they may have been referring to victorian kitchens though?) had 2x6 tiles only. Just tried to find that link but couldn't. Either way, if you're sure 3x6 is what the old homes originally had on the East coast/midwest, then the 2x6 thing must have been either a West coast thing or a NW thing, I guess! It's pretty interesting, learning about some of this regional stuff. All the 1913 houses of our entire neighborhood have (mostly) the same floors if oak: they're asian white oak and the story goes that they all washed up on the NW coast one year due to some natural disaster of a reason (Earthquake?)...something that happened in Asia (just across the ocean from us). Most of our houses also have incredibly gorgeous old-growth fir (I suppose that would be the same on the East coast?) cause when they used the wood from here at that time there was a major abundance of very old forests. :( Poor forests...
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I prefer flat over beveled, especially with a patterned tile. I was always under the assumption that bigger tiles (floor tiles, anyway) makes a room look bigger. I'm not sure about backsplash tiles. Post some pics of your kitchen (or cabinets, countertops & floor) with some tile samples. You'll get more responses when pictures are involved.
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Regarding the grout, if you're doing a grout color that is in line with the color(s) in the tile it shouldn't look too busy in any size. I saw a stunning photo the other day of a pretty busy granite, light splash tiles and super dark grout so it doesn't all have to be super muted to blend. As for what the lady said, if you love the 6x6 more than the others, do it. I have short splash on both walls of my kitchen due to cabs and a window so 6x6 would never work but I like the looks of them and didn't realize it was a trend, but what do I know? It's not like squares are some fancy new, trendy shape. ;) Maybe someone else will have better advice on that. Here is a link below. Here is a link that might be useful: Mostly 6x6 backsplash tiles
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nhbaskets
8 years ago
I third the motion that you can use anything you want. We went with 2x8s with random 2x2s. I'm pleased with the look.
nhbaskets kitchen reveal · More Info
beth09
8 years ago
nh, I like your look too!

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