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!
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!
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.
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!
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. 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.
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.
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.
Great video! In the market to purchase my first home, and might have to learn how to do some home improvements ourselves. Will be using this video as reference if we ever need to install our own backsplash. Thanks! :)
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!
Did you add electrical box extensions? I had to add 5/8 inch drywall to the back wall because when I removed the 4 inch backsplash there was a gap that my 3/8 tile would not cover.
I didn’t. The butterfly wings on the outlet should go over the tile. You can also use outlet spacers. They are these little plastic pieces that go over the screw to help tighten the outlet to the original box. Hope that helps
I know this video is over three years old so I'm not sure if you will check the comments. But I have a question. I have a kitchen with a window like yours too and my window has a wood trim at the bottom as well and in video you removed it but my window with the left side, right side and the top don't have that wood trim so if I want to put the tiles on left side, right side and the top side of that window, do I need to cut off some window frame for the title installation or I just install the cabinets tiles over it but I'm afraid if I need to replace the window, it will be hard to remove window unless we can remove the window from the outside of the house.
Great video! I’m confused about my backsplash project, because I have three walls. Should I dry fit the tile all the way around? Or is there a shortcut to help me ensure that my tiles will be consistent?
I would just start with one wall and continue the tiles to the next and then to the third. I hope I’m thinking of your layout correctly with the three walls.
i am about to do my backsplash, w 4x8 subway tile. I have an angled wall, 7ft, then 135 degree inside corner and 92 inches and another 135 degree inside corner, then 5 ft to the fridge edge. The stove is in the middle of the 92 in section. Both 135 degree corners will be incredibly visible. How do you insure the line of all the tiles, bottom to top, create a straight line in the corner, as every tile will have to be cut? intend to start behind stove, centered on the 92in wall section, so the corners have the same layout. I plan on cutting out some of the seam mud to make sure the tiles can lay flat into the corner. (testing with some sample tiles shows tiles on both sides touch the mud 1st and keep the tile away from the wall section) 1st time doing tile on wall. I assume the line between the tiles in the corner should be about the same as the space between the tiles normally.
So when doing corners you want to overlap the tile. It’s the easiest way is to do one tile past your grout line then put the next one up to it leaving your grout line. Hope that makes sense.
@@KomarProject i agree for 90 degree inside corners... everything i've read for greater than 90 degree says do NOT do the butt approach (one on top of another) , but leave the same space between...(bigger opening behind the front edge) also do NOT cut at 22.5 degrees to bevel. then fill that joint with caulk, not grout.
Just had granite counter tops installed. Had a different contractor do subway tile. After talking about everything, meaning tile all the way up to the bottom of the cabinets, grout color and etc., we didn’t get what we wanted. Then he grouted around the tiles and on top the the tiles with the grout. I didn’t want that. Don’t have money to rip this out. Can I paint the grout, so it blends in with the wall color? ☹️
A kitchen is not considered a "wet" area, so it is allowed to use adhesive directly on the drywall. If it is in a bathroom, which is considered a "wet" area, some kind of water proofing should be used as well as thin set instead of adhesive before placing the tiles.
Honestly your never going to notice it. You eyes don’t go to a specific tile or it’s location when your looking at a backsplash. I’m my opinion you should start where ever it’s easiest for you, whether that be in the center or on the edge. Hope that helps.
The last owners of my house did the same thing. They ran into a problem where the counter wasn't square with the upper cabinets. It ended up with a 1.5" gap on one end and a 1/8 gap on the other. Im going to have to fix it and I don't want to take cabinets down. How would you compensate for the large gap
I don’t know about undanded grout but when wiping down the grout with sanded too much water within the sponge, it’ll turn your grout color a bit whiteish and will not look pretty 😅. If that happens you can wash it with acid but the color won’t be normal but it’ll be all equivalent and not having some spots lighter and some darker. Happened to me once and won’t make that mistake ever again
How come some people do it the way you did (myself included) but then some people find the centre of the wall and work each way, so that both left and right end tiles are same length.
I'm about to give this a go and a tiler advised me to not use spacers as it gives a neater fine line between the tiles, anyone have any experience of tiling without spacers?
There are tiles you can buy that have a built in spacer which helps. But not using spacers takes years of experience and a great eye. I would never attempt it for a entire project. Maybe a tile or two. Good luck brother, hope my two sense helps a bit.
@@KomarProject Just checked again, I don't see any link or mention of the tiles themselves. its only the tools and other stuff. I think the tiles are really nice and would like to source them as well.
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.
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.
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!
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 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!
I’m so in love with that tile!!! And that man!!
You rock my world HB!!!
Good question mama! Great work I wanna do this with my kitchen also.
Mama always has all the best questions
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
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 loved seeing you and your wife work together!
Where did you get your tile? Would love to purchase this same tile. Love the texture!
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.
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!
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!
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 tips with the odd cuts. This is a number one challenge!
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
I started my project yesterday applying all your methods so far so good, I am also adding a glass hood range.
That’s awesome. I’m sure it will be amazing
Thanks for clarifying how long the new receptacle screws need to be. 1.25".
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.
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.
His wife is OVER IT 😂
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 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.
U make it look so easy
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.
For back splashes I always center above the stove most of the time but it depends
Great Video 💪🏼🔥😍
The video was awesome!! Planning on doing this real soon. Thanks for the video and motivation...
Very welcome brother
This was super helpful. Going to give these a go in my bathroom this week! Thanks
Beautiful! Great job
Great video man! Ill keep your tips in mind when I get ready to remodel my kitchen and need to install backsplash.
Thanks Ashley. Ya we have a lot of diy remodeling stuff coming this year so I will be busy with videos like this
Thank you for the sharing. Is that ok to tile directly over a painted wall with using the same adhesive?
Y’all did amazing
Great video! In the market to purchase my first home, and might have to learn how to do some home improvements ourselves. Will be using this video as reference if we ever need to install our own backsplash. Thanks! :)
thats awesome bb. I try to make videos all the time that help homeowners do things themselves and have fun doing it. good luck with the home purchase
Great job. Looks so much better.. just don’t know if I would add a backsplash and still keep the laminate countertops.. 🤔
Beautiful and great question
Thanks for this videos!
Going to try my hand at this for our kitchen today.
Easy to follow, informative but not overly complicated.
Very welcome. Good luck
1:50 🤣🤣 Always with me
Great video gave me the confidence to try this!
Awesome. You totally can do it
How long do you wait for the mortar to set before applying the grout? And what if you have a metal edge for the exposed tile edges?
I always wait over night. Usually set by then. And if you have a edge it should be set by then as well. Hope that helps
Looks AMAZING! I only like subway tile!!!
Enjoyed the video. I would like to install subway tiles as a back splash, the walls are uneven. How would you tackle that?
Your going to have to float it out a bit
Awesome, very informative video. I totally feel capable of doing this now. Thank you!
Do you grout around the cabinets? How do you space between the cabinets and window trim? Or at the beginning
Perfect. Thank you.
Outstanding!!
I love that tile. What's the brand and type?
Looks amazing!
Thanks so much Louis
Would a 1/2 inch square notch also work for a project like that?
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!
Did you add electrical box extensions? I had to add 5/8 inch drywall to the back wall because when I removed the 4 inch backsplash there was a gap that my 3/8 tile would not cover.
I didn’t. The butterfly wings on the outlet should go over the tile. You can also use outlet spacers. They are these little plastic pieces that go over the screw to help tighten the outlet to the original box. Hope that helps
very well done
I know this video is over three years old so I'm not sure if you will check the comments. But I have a question. I have a kitchen with a window like yours too and my window has a wood trim at the bottom as well and in video you removed it but my window with the left side, right side and the top don't have that wood trim so if I want to put the tiles on left side, right side and the top side of that window, do I need to cut off some window frame for the title installation or I just install the cabinets tiles over it but I'm afraid if I need to replace the window, it will be hard to remove window unless we can remove the window from the outside of the house.
Looks good
Can you tell me about tiling a textured wall, kitchen.
Can you put the tile directly onto textured sheet rock?
Great and insightful video. For the corner of your kitchen did you just overlap the perpendicular tile?
What size spacers are used between tile and countertop? Same spacer size between tile?
Impressive.
What did you use to close off the end of your backsplash at the end of counter under the cabinet? Did you use metal?
Nope i just use grout. I don’t like the metal look. So if you tape it up and grout it you can get a nice clean line.
Good job👍👍
Do u just leave the raw tile edges when you ended by thr cabinets?
what type of lights are those under the cabinets?
Great video! I’m confused about my backsplash project, because I have three walls. Should I dry fit the tile all the way around? Or is there a shortcut to help me ensure that my tiles will be consistent?
I would just start with one wall and continue the tiles to the next and then to the third. I hope I’m thinking of your layout correctly with the three walls.
Komar Project yes, three consecutive walls like | _ |. Thanks for the input!
i am about to do my backsplash, w 4x8 subway tile. I have an angled wall, 7ft, then 135 degree inside corner and 92 inches and another 135 degree inside corner, then 5 ft to the fridge edge. The stove is in the middle of the 92 in section. Both 135 degree corners will be incredibly visible. How do you insure the line of all the tiles, bottom to top, create a straight line in the corner, as every tile will have to be cut? intend to start behind stove, centered on the 92in wall section, so the corners have the same layout. I plan on cutting out some of the seam mud to make sure the tiles can lay flat into the corner. (testing with some sample tiles shows tiles on both sides touch the mud 1st and keep the tile away from the wall section) 1st time doing tile on wall. I assume the line between the tiles in the corner should be about the same as the space between the tiles normally.
So when doing corners you want to overlap the tile. It’s the easiest way is to do one tile past your grout line then put the next one up to it leaving your grout line. Hope that makes sense.
@@KomarProject i agree for 90 degree inside corners... everything i've read for greater than 90 degree says do NOT do the butt approach (one on top of another) , but leave the same space between...(bigger opening behind the front edge) also do NOT cut at 22.5 degrees to bevel. then fill that joint with caulk, not grout.
I think I can get my local Lowes to cut the tile if necessary. They charge by the piece.
Ya some of them do. You can also rent a saw too
Hi if i don't want grout lines is that possible or do i have to have them?
I noticed our backsplash is covered with a Formica type sheet. Any thoughts on whether I can just apply tile cement onto that?
Just had granite counter tops installed. Had a different contractor do subway tile. After talking about everything, meaning tile all the way up to the bottom of the cabinets, grout color and etc., we didn’t get what we wanted. Then he grouted around the tiles and on top the the tiles with the grout. I didn’t want that. Don’t have money to rip this out. Can I paint the grout, so it blends in with the wall color? ☹️
That I’m not sure off. There might be some dye that you can use maybe. Sorry
I noticed that you put tile right on drywall- is it necessary to put hardback?
A kitchen is not considered a "wet" area, so it is allowed to use adhesive directly on the drywall. If it is in a bathroom, which is considered a "wet" area, some kind of water proofing should be used as well as thin set instead of adhesive before placing the tiles.
U didn’t explain the laser , leveling ? And cutting tiles to fit the outlet
Was your wall painted?? Do I have to sand the wall first?
I painted the walls. You don’t have to sand them.
Great instructions! Thank you!
Also, is there a Christmas present in your microwave?
Whats the best way to deal with uneven areas?
As far a making the tiles even I would float more mortar under the tile. Gives you some wiggle room when installing them. Just takes some practice.
Did you or should you centre a tile with the kitchen tap? Or better yet the window over the sink ? Wouldn’t that look more professional?
Honestly your never going to notice it. You eyes don’t go to a specific tile or it’s location when your looking at a backsplash. I’m my opinion you should start where ever it’s easiest for you, whether that be in the center or on the edge. Hope that helps.
The last owners of my house did the same thing. They ran into a problem where the counter wasn't square with the upper cabinets. It ended up with a 1.5" gap on one end and a 1/8 gap on the other. Im going to have to fix it and I don't want to take cabinets down. How would you compensate for the large gap
What is that under cabunet tile??? I like that one.
We got it from www.tilebar.com
I don’t know about undanded grout but when wiping down the grout with sanded too much water within the sponge, it’ll turn your grout color a bit whiteish and will not look pretty 😅. If that happens you can wash it with acid but the color won’t be normal but it’ll be all equivalent and not having some spots lighter and some darker. Happened to me once and won’t make that mistake ever again
What do you do on the corners where the tile end an starts on the other wall.do you grout it or do you caulk it or does it even matter which one?
Ya you want to caulk that area. Any inside corners get a grout caulk. If you just grout it it has a tendency to crack
Did you not put in gray grout? Finished job grout looks white?
So any grout you put in will look different when wet. Once it dries it usually lightens up. This was an off white grout
@@KomarProject Thank you. I thought I was hallucinating.
Good job. Could you please give me the tools name and all the products you used? I need to use them to do the shopping list for my kitchen. Thanks
It’s in the description of the video
There's a sticker you can use instead of the thin set and you don't have to wait for anything to dry
Link?
@@tymom9313 its a video I had watched its on the old house back splash
I'm getting ready to tile my kitchen, how would I determine if my counter is level?
Awesome video! Quick question, what laser level did you use for this project?
I use a old Stanly laser. Don’t think they make that model anymore but any laser should do.
@@KomarProject Thank you!!!!
How come some people do it the way you did (myself included) but then some people find the centre of the wall and work each way, so that both left and right end tiles are same length.
Why add a spacer on the countertop while laying the first tile?
Maybe for the caulking 🤷♂️
Not sure about the 3/8's of an inch trowel? I think you ment 3/16'th
Hey Yuri , don't crush box !
Hahahaha Hey Yuri don’t smoosh package lol 😂
Thank you for saving my marriage!
So it goes straight out the drywall?
Yup right in the drywall
“I don’t understand what the question is..” 😂
Do you have a backer board up?
Is it unnecessary?
Not for a kitchen backsplash. If this was a shower then yes. But right over drywall here is fine.
I'm about to give this a go and a tiler advised me to not use spacers as it gives a neater fine line between the tiles, anyone have any experience of tiling without spacers?
There are tiles you can buy that have a built in spacer which helps. But not using spacers takes years of experience and a great eye. I would never attempt it for a entire project. Maybe a tile or two. Good luck brother, hope my two sense helps a bit.
@@KomarProject thank you so much for your response, I took your advice and I'm doing it with spacers.
@@KomarProject his advice was to but the tiles edge to edge, no gap ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
@@stephenjenkins1102 Some tiles like 3x6 subway tiles have built in spacers so they are unnecessary. Depends on the tile.
LInk to the tile you used?
It’s in the video description
@@KomarProject Just checked again, I don't see any link or mention of the tiles themselves. its only the tools and other stuff. I think the tiles are really nice and would like to source them as well.
Great job Bart. Hope you're staying well and avoiding the Wu Flu!
Thanks brother. Trying to compress to just the important stuff
There is no harm in doing this over a painted wall?
That breaker should have tripped
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.
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?