How to Install a Subway Backsplash Tile!! Everything You Need to Know In One Video!!! DIY
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
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In this video I show you guys how to install a backsplash tile in your kitchen. How to prep the tile surface, cut the tile, and we discuss all the materials and tools along with how to use them. I also throw in some tips and tricks I learned over the years that will help your tile installation go a lot smoother.
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TOOLS and MATERIALS Used
Tile Saw amzn.to/39HauNs
Tile Saw Blade amzn.to/3aVIpSX
Titan Scraper Knife amzn.to/2TEH0Kl
3/8” Tile Trowel amzn.to/2TTpvoJ
Grout Float amzn.to/39HFKfl
My Grinder amzn.to/2GGaDUC
Bosch Drill and Impact Combo amzn.to/2UdyZg7
Diamond Blade amzn.to/2TTacw9
Grout Silver Bullet amzn.to/2vY4ktz
Grout Caulk Silver Bullet amzn.to/2Q5E4Et
Caulk Gun amzn.to/2Iz3Soo
Spacers amzn.to/2TDKzAI
Pry Bar amzn.to/3cNlJWz
Rockwell Multi Tool amzn.to/38HDXW2
Carpenters Square amzn.to/2IHFyk5
Tile Sponge amzn.to/2TWSDvc
Cheap Tile Cutter I didn’t use amzn.to/3cRD2Ga
MY OTHER FAVORITE SHOP TOOLS
Restorer amzn.to/38UPlP6
Bosch Drill and Impact Combo amzn.to/2UdyZg7
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Wood Glue amzn.to/2RJEnpP
Nail Gun amzn.to/2vus1cm
My Quiet Compressor amzn.to/2S3aqA7
#tileinstallation #tile #backsplash
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This was a fun video to watch, thank you for explaining how long to leave the tile before it's ok to remove the spacers.
Your very welcome !!!
What's on the wall shock rock ???
...and it's useful to mention time when it happens in their video, for all future audience in case they miss it. It's at 9:47 sec mark into the video.
What size spacers did you uses between the tile?
@Komar Project Does a textured wall need to be sanded smooth before installing back splash?
Thank your wife for me, she asked the question I needed.
She always has the best questions. Stuff I just don’t think about
Agreed! Great question
Every DIY video needs a person like his wife who doesn’t know what they’re doing to ask the important questions
Are you ready for second round
YES.
I needed that pep talk in the middle, thank you!
I have to say, you cover every detail that needs to be addressed about tile installation. Thank you very much.
Very welcome
I loved that you mentioned I don’t have to use a table wet saw !!!! That’s the only thing preventing me because I’m not gonna be one when I’m only using it once. I rather just buy the handsaw.
Dude, I've watched a bunch of videos, trying to learn as much as I could. I could have skipped all those and just watched this.
Thank you so much ! That’s why I make them, so that you guys can do the same with ease
Thanks for this Bart! This video gave me the confidence to go out and do this. Been _massively_ renovating my kitchen (removing load bearing walls!) and this backsplash is the last step. Wish me luck this weekend!
Dang, you're amazing! I DIY everything from electrical, carpentry, plumbing, but tile is one of those things I've always felt nervous about. Your video makes me feel confident to tackle my own tile job and not blow money on hiring it out. We did a major bathroom remodel at our house and I hired out the tiling job, spent a $1,000 on labor for a small tiling portion, and it sucked... all the tiling was at bad angles, because they didn't use spacers, and they set the mud wrong. And I spent $1,000 on labor instead of $1,000 on tools!
Loved your video! My daughter y me installed our subway backsplash tile while my hubs was healing up. Thank you so much for all the excellent details; very grateful for your wife’s inquiry 💐😊
Thank you so much for saying that a tool shouldn't stop us! I let that stop me all the time!! Your video encouraged me to go do it and figure it out. Worst that can happen is, I have to think outside the box lol.
Very well said
I have completed ALL kinds of of projects at my home over the years including floor tile and tile surround in a bathroom renovation. Komar does a really good job on this video, particularly with the instruction on how to notch tile. I am getting ready to start a tile backsplash install; I did pick-up an idea or two that will make for another fine, cost saving DIY project. Thanks a lot!
Just the the attitude this guy has makes me wanna jump out of my bed and re do the whole house!
Hahaha
So, did you?
I Overjoyed, ecstatic, Soooooo happy that I ran across your video. You are my new tile brother. Thank you very much, I am out. here doing this by myself, so thank you again and again and again.
Great video. But I am wondering about putting the thinset / mortar directly on the drywall. It's that creating a humidity problem? Few years ago, an installer did a backsplash in our other house and he applied a primer (purple color substance) to the drywall first. Then on homedepot "how-to" video, they replaced the drywall with "ciment board" / backerboard. so i'm wondering what is best practice? please, let me know your thoughts. thanks.
My husbands going to love that I'm going to be digging through his work van to get all the supplies I need
Hahaha awesome!!!! Just tell him you need it all
2nd video Ive watched of yours and I'm hooked. Your explanations are easy to understand and your so bold. Keep it up man. BELL IS ON
Thanks so much Eddie!!!! Really appreciate your support
I loved seeing you and your wife work together!
This video will remain hidden from my Wife because it looks so easy with you and honey bunny doing it. I myself hate messing with Tile and Grout but this was a great video as always 😀👍and please keep em coming! 😅
Thanks brother. The wall stuff is much easier then floors. Doesn’t kill the back either
best video by far. Thanks for the tips on cutting with a wet saw and grinder, knowing how much mortar is "enough"!
You are very welcome Amber. Good luck with your project
I really wish I watched this before I started my own backsplash. I did not know you could utilize a wet saw that way! So helpful. Thank you for this video.
Very welcome Mac. Good luck on the project
What kind of tile was it? Sometimes a wet saw is overkill
LOL the arc and then you immediately replying "Yeah!" when she asked "You good?" from the other room. Been there SO MANY TIMES.
The only addition I’d mention is that starting with a full tile on the end may yield in unusually small cuts at the end. Always double check your layout for symmetry.
Thank you & honey bunny for sharing the best tile video I have found so far! 😂❤️
You are very welcome !!!!!
Thank you for validating my personal preference for premixed thin set. 😁 I also use premixed grout, but that's just me. My favorite tool I ever bought is my inexpensive, fixed-base, wet tile saw. My wife and I have used it on three bathrooms, our kitchen backsplash, and my parents' kitchen backsplash. I replace the blade before each new project and it works great! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Seth !!! Ya a tile saw is awesome luxury to have when you do lots of home improvement projects. This is my third one and it’s probably my favorite so far
this is so perfectly detailed and so entertaining to watch! Thank you for this!
I’m so in love with that tile!!! And that man!!
You rock my world HB!!!
Good video, as an electrician I am glad you didn't edit out the outlet shorting out on the box.
Looks like your tile fit perfectly from the counter up to the cabinets...no lengthwise cutting! Lucky you!
Ohh no my friend lol. It’s way off under the cabinet from one end to the corner. But I was able to cheer a bit on the last course and since it’s under the cabinet you really don’t see it. I usually don’t cut tiles unless it’s stupid off
The most informative and entertaining tile diy I’ve watched! Thanks for making it fun!
Good question mama! Great work I wanna do this with my kitchen also.
Mama always has all the best questions
Great tips with the odd cuts. This is a number one challenge!
Awesome video, thanks. Quick question… do you grout the outer edge of the tile where it ends and doesn’t butt-up against anything? Thanks much!
ZAP! I have done that a time or three! Lol. When I put the device back in, I always put electrical tape around the contacts in case another knothead forgets to turn the power off!
Yup started doing the same thing. Always happens.
I love the video, I'm about to start my own project.
That’s awesome Carlos. Good luck brother
Good video. You answered my question about the tabs on the electrical outlets. I see that they go on the outside of the tile. Thank you.
Very welcome
Great video!!! Renovating our kitchen and I'm now going to attempt to install a subway tile backsplash. Fingers crossed it's as easy as you demonstrated. BTW, thanks for all the helpful tips you've provided.
Very welcome. And yes it’s not difficult. One step at a time. Good luck
Excellent. Just what I needed to know. Now I just need to get the courage up to do the job!
Great video! I don't have a tile saw but I do have a grinder. Another great tip is to add a little vinegar to the water to remove the grout haze. I'm doing this project this weekend and can't wait to see the results! So excited!! 😁
But don’t use vinegar on travertine or it will etch it….
Thank you so much! Starting ours today but using mussellbound.
This video gave me the confidence I needed to take on my own backsplash. Wish me luck 💪🏼
When comes to corners doing back splash. Is there any special to do? Or just but up the tiles to each other
Just leave a little gap and use grout caulk that matches. It will end up looking seamless
Thanks for this video, I feel confident that I can handle our bathroom backsplash project now. Go Bears
Hi. Great video & looks like you two had loads of fun. Questions. To stagger the tiles, do you really just need to start row 2 with a 1/2 a tile? Or, do you have to 1/2 a tile in other rows to keep them staggered? Also, my kitchen has about the same amount of area to do as in this video. I couldn’t tell, do you install the tiles in sections or row by row all the way around the kitchen? We are taking the micro & cabinet above the stove out & putting in a stain steel vent. Our ceilings are 12’ it’s been suggested to take the tile all the way to the ceiling in that area. Do we install the stove to ceiling area separately? For example when installing the backsplash all the way around the kitchen, do we stop at each side of the stove & continue on with the backsplash then go back & fill in the stove area to the ceiling? Hope that makes sense. Thanks.
Great video! And just in time for me! Honeybun helping you made it very fun and relaxed. I'm a subscriber now. Cheers.
Hey thanks for the video! We're about to embark on this project and I have a few questions:
1. If the tile isn't a perfect fit, meaning a row has to be horizontally cut; where do you put that horizontally cut piece? On the top or the bottom of the wall?
2. When meeting corners, what's the best practice?
3. When using tile with indented & ornate designs and size difference, is there a best lay-out practice? Or is it all random?
The saw was scaring the daylights out of me glad you mentioned the alternatives 🙏🏼
Tile saw blade are smooth, no teeth, and it's not really that dangerous.
I’m so glad I watched this. Definitely going with peel n stick! 😂
Hahaha that works too. I did a peel an stick vid a while back might give you some ideas. Good luck
I’ve done both and can say for the price of peel and stick (it’s pretty pricy for being peel and stick) I’d go grout and mortar. It’ll look nicer and you might appreciate it more once your all done. Good luck either way.👍🏼
Thanks. You answered a lot more questions that other videos seemed to skip over.
Awesome.
Good video. What are your thoughts about using no spacers? Were you also worried that either your counters or bottom of the cabinets were not level?
Super helpful. Question! We had to remove old backsplash and there is ridges of old mortar left on the wall. Do we need to scrape it allllll off? Do we need a smooth surface to start?
Love the encouragement and positivity! wee
Thanks so much Wilsey
These detailed tips are priceless! Thank you!
You guys are so much fun! I really enjoyed watching this DIY video. You made something that has always appear overwhelming (to me anyway) seem so do-able! Thank you!!!
You can totally do it !! Just one step at a time
HAHA loved the box short scene. On remodeling jobs my dad used to love telling me the breaker was flipped (when it wasn't) and then laugh his ass off when I got zapped like in your video. Great video though.
Great video! One question: What if I have a textured wall? Do I have to do anything to it before?
Like textured paint ? You shouldent have to. The texture will actually help it stick better.
My project required removing old 4x4 inch tile that had been secured to wood paneling. I removed the paneling & replaced it with thin backer-board. HOWEVER, with the wall studs and electrical wiring all exposed, I installed under cabinet LED light pucks, removed the standard stud-mounted duplex electrical outlets (after I de-energized them at the main panel), and installed under cabinet outlets. By doing so, I will have far fewer custom tile notches. I formerly had 6 different outlet boxes in my backsplash. Now I have only 2. They are all to the right side of the sink. The 8 ft of backsplash to the left of the sink is clean of all outlet boxes. Woohoo!
Very nice upgrade to the kitchen and it looks great! We did ours with a very similar tile some time ago and all your tips were spot-on! Great work yet again brother👍.
Thanks guys!!!! It was awesome seeing you guys last month too!
OMG, thanks for posting this video. I didn't know they made a pre mix mortar. Now that i know this, it makes it easier for me and I know I can do my kitchen now. I just wished they made a pre mix grout. I might have to check to see if they do make one, if not you made it look easier than I was thinking it was. Thanks again.
I also noticed that they make a pre mix grout made by the same company. Have you every used a pre mix grout?
Ya the pre mixed stuff does make it a lot easier. Good luck with the kitchen
1:50 I just busted out laughing! Glad you are ok...been there done that!
Thanks dude. Ya I’m good lol
I like how this project ended up! You guys cool!!!❤
A commercial popped up when listing the required tools, so I need a wet saw, rustic oven bread, and a sponge.
Hahaha yup that works
😂
It's incredibly annoying when they do that... honestly
i like how she asked, "how much mortar is too much or too little?" and the guy was like "what?" haha! sometimes folks know too much and don't understand new people questions. and it shows that guys understand language differently. it took him a minute to figure out what she was asking.
Haha yup. She always asks the great questions. Sometimes I’ll ask her questions just to get the conversation flowing
I was thinking what do you mean you don't understand her question. Honestly that was me and my man for three looooong days installing our kitchen - he is a qualified builder/civil landscape... I am an ece teacher/artist/baby photographer. Polar opposite thought patterns. Thankfully we made it through.
This was fantastic - thanks so much for this! I'm about to embark on my first attempt at this (just remodeled my kitchen) and have watched your video at least 5 times already (trying to build up the courage to tackle this). Does the type of mortar change if I have my heart set of glass subway tiles? (The tiles are 4'x12' "Bright White" color - - not see through, and intend to use white mortar). Also the walls (drywall) that they're going on are painted with semi-gloss paint (prior owners... not me!), so I plan on hitting the walls with my random orbital with like 80 grit to rough it up first.
Well it sounds like you have everything under control. I wouldent do anything different. Good luck and hope to see the finished product pics.
Enjoyed this video. You guys are a cool couple
If you are going to do this with your spouse, you will find out real quick if your marriage is good or not! Have fun with this project. Awesome video by the way
Thank you so much! And very well said
Thank you for making it look conquerable. I just set my tiles. Tomorrow, I'll grout. Looks good. Also, thanks for telling me not to get hung up on the wet saw. I used a manual tile cutter, a file, and a grinder to make my far too many cuts. Turns out, I bought way too many tiles. Better than not enough, and HD will let me return them.
Pretty good but I always end the tile at the gable end with tile edging. Also I usually center the tile in the range area because that is a main focal point and that’s where most people look. Same with sink area. I grout the bottom by the countertop as well, I just put silicone on after grout is dry. Looks a bit better.
Thank you for the sharing. Is that ok to tile directly over a painted wall with using the same adhesive?
This video took all my fears away!
Where did u get the tiles from?
We bought them through tilebar.com They send you samples and you can pick from them and they ship the tile right to your house
This is exactly what I want to do so I'm very grateful you did it! So it looks like you just put it right on the sheet rock... and that's ok? Me and my husband were discussing this the other day. I said you could he want so sure. Thanks for the video!
Ya it’s totally fine. If it was a shower you would want to waterproof it but for a backsplash your good. Good luck 🍀
Thanks so much!
Yes, a grinder will work for making cuts that will be covered (i.e. outlets) but you will need a snap cutter or wet saw to make the field cuts. Do not use pre-mixed "mortar" (actually thinset), it is a poor adhesive. You can, however, use tile 'mastic' for non-wet areas if you don't want to mix thinset. If your tile doesn't have a matching bullnose, use a Schluter trim at the end of the countertop so you don't have an ugly raw tile edge. Use a full width tile to start the first row so the cut tiles will be under the upper cabinets. On the window wall, start by centering the tile on the window so you don't have different size tile on either side of the window. Otherwise, great job.😐
Hi, @Komar Project. I watched your video over and over and I finally follow your process to install my back splash. I also notice you have those lights under the cabinet. Do you have a video how to install that light? perhaps that light use battery so you just have to stick on it. Thanks
That’s exactly it. They are battery puck lights you can get at a hardware store or Amazon
His wife is OVER IT 😂
can you do the same process if you have existing textured drywall? or do you have to sand it smooth first? please help!!! thank you
Where did you get your tile? Would love to purchase this same tile. Love the texture!
Great , informative, fun video. Thanks!
The general rule with tile at least when doing it in a bathroom is you need at least 80% coverage on the tile if you were to remove a piece. It doesn’t matter if you can hear a scrape on the wall, you have to remove a “test piece” of installed tile and see if the mortar is actually adhering to the tile (80% coverage). That will tell you if it’s enough. Again that’s how you do it in a bathroom so I assume kitchen is the same. Although kitchens don’t get nearly any moisture like bathrooms do.
Tile industry standards require minimum mortar coverage of 80% in dry areas and 95% in wet (showers) or exterior areas.
To add on to this when you set the tile in place you also want to slide it back and forth to compress the ridges and ensure proper adhesion. Hope this helps people.
Very helpful! Do you mind telling what tile you used? We are having a hard time finding a nice off white/light gray
Can someone explain why they make metal electrical boxes to put outlets and switches in? It's never made a lick of sense to me why conductive material is around open electrical wires!
Very helpful video. You two seem like a nice couple. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful! and yes we are awesome lol
Good job but I’m wondering if it’s a corner that I’m doing kitchen there’s a refrigerator on the left and I have cabinetry on the right where I start in the centre in the corner to start tiling and work my way to the right and the left?
That looks really good❤
Thanks for clarifying how long the new receptacle screws need to be. 1.25".
What are your recommendations for installing a concrete type backer board as opposed to tiling right off the existing drywall?
Great video! I did the backsplash in my kitchen last weekend. Thank for the help.
Very welcome. Glad it helped !!
Thanks for sharing. So you can apply the tile adhesive directly to a painted dry wall?
Thoughts on using a Sonicrafter blade in a oscillating saw to make the cuts?
Do you go over bullnose, chair rail or pencil liner pieces? how do I know if I need those? And how to measure for them?
Thanks for the Video. Can you also recommend the laser level you are using?
This is the new version of the one I use amzn.to/37deHwg
Do you grout around the cabinets? How do you space between the cabinets and window trim? Or at the beginning
Thank you for the very detailed video! Could you use this same method for adding tile "above" the shower insert in a bathroom? It currently has painted textured/drywall above shower so I just want to protect it.Thank you.
Great video. I am going to take a shot at it. Thank you.
Do u have video on that window seal . I used butcher block and have a scrap piece I’d like to use to match
Great video! how do you tile the corner? Do you overlap the tile or leave space for grout or caulk?
Y’all are hilarious!! So fun to watch!! We are so curious about how you finished the exposed edge where you started? Did you do a grout angle? A bullnose? A metal trim finish?
Ya I just grouted that. I do that every time I tile and typically don’t use a bullnose. You be surprised how good it looks. Just don’t round over the grout and just grout the gap. Gives it a nice natural look
Great Video 💪🏼🔥😍
Would cement board or something similar be a better option than drywall if doing a new kitchen?
great video! I love the idea of using a grinder, I didn't like the fact of buying a wet tile saw just for this job and I'll never use again
Great tutorial ! I do have a question for ya.... when it comes to the corners do you just grout the seam or do you need to install a corner thingy first ? Thanks
Thank you! I feel more empowered to do this in my kitchen
You totally got it. Just one step at a time