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Subway tile backsplash questions

Michelle Linden

last year

last modified: last year

We have decided on glossy white subway tile for our kitchen backsplash. Thought that was an easy pick until we encountered lots of options. So here goes...
1. Size- We are thinking larger format 4x 8, 4 x 10, or 4 x12 (less grout). One thing we have found is many of the 4 inch tiles are actually 4.25.
2. Grout color- Leaning towards frost or warm gray.
3. Grout size- 1/16 or 1/8?4. Flat/smooth surface or wavy?
4. Tile will go up to hood and bottom of floating shelves. Will need to determine shelf height
Does anyone have suggestions or pros/cons on certain factors?Thank you !My phone won't let me add photos to the first post. Will add below

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Comments (8)

Michelle Linden
Original Author
last year
Buffet
Michelle Linden
Original Author
last year
Appliance wall
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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
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Michelle Linden
Original Author
last year
Messy photo of kitchen
jkm6712
last year
last modified: last year
To give you an idea: mine are not subway, but glossy white picket tiles with a 'wavy' surface and white grout. The grout lines are 1/16".
PRO
Beth H. :
last year
4x8 is going to look squat.

why not go w/the 2.5X10 size? or 2x8, 3x9? Those thinner sizes look so much better on a backsplash layout since you're only working w/18", more or less.

this is the cloe tile. I believe it's 2.25 X 8"

similar size Herringbone, obviously

This one is a 2X10 or 2.5 X 10. I think this is the perfect size

standard 3x6 brick off set layout

2x6 (maybe a 2x8) vertical offset

you could always do the square

to show you the diff in size, I did a marble tile in a 4x12. I wanted something thinner, but they didn't make it in the calacatta

grout isn't an issue w/a backsplash

tiling w/the shelves.
PRO
Beth H. :
last year
4x8 is going to look squat.

why not go w/the 2.5X10 size? or 2x8, 3x9? Those thinner sizes look so much better on a backsplash layout since you're only working w/18", more or less.

this is the cloe tile. I believe it's 2.25 X 8"

similar size Herringbone, obviously

This one is a 2X10 or 2.5 X 10. I think this is the perfect size

standard 3x6 brick off set layout

2x6 (maybe a 2x8) vertical offset

you could always do the square

to show you the diff in size, I did a marble tile in a 4x12. I wanted something thinner, but they didn't make it in the calacatta

grout isn't an issue w/a backsplash

tiling w/the shelves.
artemis78
last year
For size--grout isn't a huge factor for backsplashes unless you just don't like the look of it, so I wouldn't decide based on that. We have basic 3x6 subway for a traditional look, but I also really liked 2x6 and 2x8 if you want a more modern look. Similarly, we chose smooth surface for a traditional look but wavy is beautiful too and more modern. Our backsplash has 3/32" grout lines simply because we used the built-in lugs and that's what it wound up being with them; if you want to deemphasize the grout, going with 1/16" will help. Same for grout color--we wanted a pronounced grout line so went with a darker gray, but if you want it to disappear or be subtle, frost or warm gray are good choices.

I would find a photo of a kitchen that is the look you're going for, and start with that for sizing and style.
Amy Loves Pink Bathrooms
last year
last modified: last year
Is your home traditional, transitional, or modern? Each style will have a subset of options that are best for it.

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