kitchen backsplash issue- please help!

[markch]

Mike - do you have examples of this type of tile with 1/8" spacing (or anybody else passing by this thread)?

[speed51133]

no. I used that tile on my own house and that is it. The variance with 1/16th is big enough. I think 1/8 is just too much.

[Tool Guy - Kg]

With the wavy edges that will produce bigger grout lines in some areas, I'd also recommend going with smaller 1/16" spacers...if possible. Lay a bunch of them out on a piece of ply and experiment.

By the way, those tiles look killer.

[altnrg8]

1/16" nominal.



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[espo21]

Hey guys sorry for the late response. had a little covid scare in my house the past few days.
Thanks for all the info. and thanks for the photos - if I can get this looking half as good as the pics you guys sent I'd be thrilled lol.
guess I'll go with 1/16", keep them level, and see how it goes!
thanks again, I really appreciate all the information.

[espo21]

Hi everyone I'm about to start a long delayed kitchen backsplash and am going with 3x12 ceramic subway tiles. I haven't picked the tiles up yet so I'm not sure but I'm going to try a 50/50 brick pattern if possible, with 1/8 grout lines.

My question is, being that I'm new to this, and my wife will kill me if it doesn't come out perfect should I consider using a leveling system or is that overkill for that size tile?

Also, I planned on using mastic but I recently read that mastic could take several days if not longer to dry? Should I just stick with the ultraflex2 I originally planned?

I have a previous post a while back on this project related to the type of tile but I've since decided to go with a different tile so I figured I'd start a new post as to not make it confusing.

Thanks so much for the help!
Marc

[cx]

Actually, we'd prefer you kept all your project questions on one thread so folks can see what you're working on and what's been previously asked and answered.

By "leveling system," I trust you're talking about one of the various mechanical lippage control systems. None of them do any leveling.

You can certainly try them on your tiles if you really want, but I think you'll spend (waste?) more time with them than you will with the actual tile setting.

The best way to control tile lippage, aside from good workmanship, is to start with a very flat substrate and very flat tiles. 'Specially if you're looking to do a 50 percent offset pattern.

Backsplashes in dry areas are one of the few places we (TYW) think it may be beneficial to use organic adhesives. I'd still recommend you use a thinset mortar, but that's up to you.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[espo21]

Hi everyone, I was hoping I could ask a question. I'm about to start a kitchen backsplash - it's one long wall almost 22' with no breaks & no corners. from left to right the countertop height is off 3/16" over that 22' span which I think for that length is pretty good??
the potential problem I see though is for the 1st 15' it's off 1/16". then the last 6.5' is off another 1/8" (the counter is broken into 3 pieces of granite).
my concern is that 1/8" over 6.5' could be an issue, especially if its coming coming off 15' of just about perfectly level grout lines. I'm wondering if the grout lines will appear to "bend" a little at that point.
I'm trying to determine if I need to do anything fancy will the bottom row (starting one row up with a straight edge then come back in at the end and fill in that bottom row, shaving the tiles as needed) or if i can just throw spacers on the counter and start from there.
I'm using a 3x12 subway with 1/8" grout lines. the good news is the tile I'm using has a slight scalloped edge so maybe it won't be as noticeable? I planned on adding a 1/8" spacer on the counter and and starting from there but now I'm not sure that will work.
any help would be appreciated.
thanks!

[Davy]

I don't think you have much to worry about. Where the C-top is at it's highest point, you could start with 1/16 spacers and use 1/8 at the lowest part of the C-top. The other 1/16 can be fudged within the joints, especially with tiles that have cushioned edges.

[jadnashua]

First, you shouldn't grout the change of plane between the wall and the counter. The general choices for that are to use caulk or an engineered profile. There are various ones that will work, and this is an example https://www.schluter.com/schluter-us...A?facets=false

Some are smaller, but the cove makes it easier to keep that joint clean.

I think I'd probably cut the bottom row to fit and use a profile, as straight lines being off on a long run may or may not bug you...I think it would to me.

If you chose to use caulk there, having the scalloped edge cut off may make it easier to get a clean looking joint.

[cx]

Same kitchen and tiles we're familiar with from earlier in the year, Marc?

[espo21]

awesome, thanks for the help guys.
CX I'm embarrassed to admit it but unfortunately yes... same project. ran into some family issues and it got put on hold for a while but I'm back to trying to knock it out. thanks for linking my original thread.. I actually looked for that but couldn't find it.

[espo21]

Hey everyone I was hoping I could ask a question. for this backsplash my wife wants only 1/16 grout lines with a 50/50 brick pattern. I'm installing a 3x12 subway tile. She also wants it centered under the hood on the left.
unfortunately when centering it I'm left with about 1/2" or so sliver cut in the left corner. this goes away if I expand the joints to 1/8 but I know she really wants 1/16. it's a kind of scalloped edge tile and the 1/8 leaves allot of grout in some areas. I laid out a bunch of tiles and the tile can handle the 1/16".

is there perhaps another layout option that's popular these days other than the 50/50 brick? I really like the idea of centering the 50/50 below the hood but maybe not at the expense of losing the minimal grout joints.
any thoughts? I've attached a pic of the wall. I'm just doing the back wall- no sides.
thanks as always!

[Davy]

I'd go with 1/8 joints with sanded grout myself but 1/16 might work fine. You could go with a 1/3rd stagger. Not sure what that would do to your cut sizes.

Here's a 1/3rd stagger shower. I think these tiles were 4x16 but were flat with straight edges. I used 1/8 joints.

[ss3964spd]

No concern with centering the pattern on the window also, Marc?

You could always just put something decorative on the counter in that left corner.