How to install subway tile in a shower
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- čas přidán 5. 01. 2014
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How to install subway tile in a shower. Many subway wall tiles will have automatic spacers built into the tile, for this reason it will not be necessary to use a separate spacer to install this type of tile, harder 3x6 porcelain tiles will generally not have these automatic spacers. Because the tile is to be installed in a shower stall, the tile will have to be installed using a thinset, mastic should not be used in a wet area. The backer board used should also be water safe, like Durock, Denshield or Hardi Board, or any Cement board, other options would include Schluter Kerdi and other waterproofing membranes, sheetrock, or green board should not be used. If a cement board is used a liquid applied waterproofing should be used in conjunction with the cement board. This video demonstrates the basics of installing subway tile in a shower area along with some other useful tips.
All tile installed by Sal DiBlasi, Elite-tile Company, in the Boston North Shore area. This video contains affiliate links, which means I will receive a small commission if you click on the product link.
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Sal, thank you so much for taking the time to post this. Very informative- you make it look so easy! Beautiful work!
Your videos are very informative, thank you! I am going to tile our surround, and your videos have been the most helpful of all I've watched - and I've been watching a lot of videos on tiling lately!
Appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
Thank you for your videos. It helped me in laying subway tiles faster.
Another great video - thanks, Sal! Great tip on supporting the tiles going over top of the niche. I'm going to use that one for sure!
Nice to watch a pro at work, thanks for the videos Sal :-)
10 years later and still a very clean install.
love the final look and the tile thats on the floor (mosaic i guess) looks very nice. always thought you couldnt do it because they seem like they would fail and crack cause of the small pieces.
Great video on how to install subway tiles!
once again Sal, great video and fantastic job
Old school using snap cutters! Kool... I used the snap cutters thanks to the person I learned to set tile from is a very efficient and simple tool to cut ceramic tile!
Thank You for your advice....I did not mention that I just wanted to center the back shower wall.
nice and clean job.keep up the good work!
Great video Sal.
1. What do you use for spacers to adjust level? 2. What is the measurement of your trowel?
Sal, your videos are invaluable for DIYers like myself - thank you!
White thin-set rules. The shower looks awesome Sal.
Thanks
Thank you for the great video keep up the great work I hope you have a great new year
thank you very much for your time.
as per usual beautiful job sal
I thought I was looking at my own work. Haha, just kidding, you are definitely the master Sal.
I learned alot from you Sal..thanks for being such an inspiration for all of us!
Hi Sal. Appreciate the videos, I've picked up several tips from you that have come in handy as I am installing subway tile in my main bath. One of those tips wasn't specifically tiling - I noticed you don't wear your kneepads - just move them around as necessary. I saw that, now I'm doing it all the time.
Hate the straps, I have since obtained a pair of Proknees which I use when I install floors.
The worst pain with knee pads is the straps in the back. Leaving them on the floor definitely makes more sense.
Sal, you are amazing! Not only providing everyone with supporting videos but always responding to our questions so promptly. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!I
hope I'm not too late. We used DensSheild in our shower and unfortunately it was suggested using silicone at the joints and over the heads of the screws. But RedGuard doesn't stick to it. We tried scraping off the silicone but all it did was smooth out the ridges on the DensSheild. We still applied it over the joints and screw heads but now I wonder if we will have trouble with the Thinset sticking to the walls.
First question, should we now cover the whole shower in RedGuard?
Secondly the tiled floor is very level across the walls so do we still need to start with a ledger board or could we just lay down a 1/8" board and start tiling from there?
great video ,...thanks Sal.
Absolutely fantastic tutorial. Great job.
Sal, thank you so much. I think I have watched 843 of your videos...lol. and am finally tackling my subway tile shower. It is not turning out near as professional as yours, I have 2 tiles so far that are lipped. :( along with some odd cuts but am tackling problems before hand thanks to you. I only wish I could afford to fly you out to the PNW to help me finish the job.
First one is always the hardest, I am sure you will have a great sense of accomplishment when you are done.
Wow Sal you do amazing work!!!!
Thank you! Cheers!
Nice job. Thanks
You bet
Nice job. You make it look easy.
Thanks 👍
What kind of cement is Recomended for subway tiles not the already mix?
one final question, for the ceiling , do you only backbutter the tiles and not spread thin set on the ceiling because its just easier? if its larger tiles i assume you have to/should thin set the ceiling, as well as back butter?
and the 2x4 (or what ever size it is) that you use in the celing is that to help you keep the tile nice and square/level? the wood you use in the bottom of the shower helps to hold the tile up until it dries i can understand that, but why in the ceiling? thanks
When your using the ledger board your obviously doing that to keep the tile level when you pull that ledger board do you have to re water proof and how do you level the bottom tile?
Incredible!
What do you do in the situation where ceiling is out of level do you gaudge up to highest levelof ceiling then cut difference off tiles that dont fit ?
Hi Sal,
Really enjoy your videos! What size trowel do you use when you are laying subway tile? I notice you don't really press them either. Is it best to just set them in place?
Nice work
Thanks for a great video, Sal! The tip on how to check for level every few rows and make the adjustments (if needed) is very helpful. I do have a bit of advice to those with an aversion to the sound of a dental drill: You might want to hit the mute button from 13:28 to 14:07. :)
Good advise, a mute button, what will they think of next :-)
@sammy as a dental student your comment made me laugh. didnt even flinch lol!
thanks, Sal...very helpful!
When you cut the Half tiles do you save the other half to start the other wall with the same cut piece , or you cut another tile ?
What are your thoughts on using a porcelain grout with the subway tiles?
great video, Sal. nice work!! may i say i wish you would wear a mask when cutting thru that thin set. we ended up with lung problems because we always hated wearing one. take care and thanks for sharing your knowledge and skill.
Just wondering why you add thinset to the walls but the ceiling you add it to the tile before applying.
Hey Sal, do you think the vertical border with bullnose is necessary for a good look? I'm doing 4x8 white subway tile, and special ordered both 4x8 with the 4" side surface bull nose and 4x4 with surface bull nose so that I could start the brick pattern right from the edge but still have the nice rounded bullnose. The more I think of it, not sure if it will look right without a border.
Thanks.
I actually often do it that way, depends on what the customer wants.
I appreciate the centre line but the 2" diff would not be seen by the eye. Would have saved you a lot of time Sal, dont you think? Maybe if they were big tiles but subway? I have tiled dozens of showers and I would have planned it out a bit better.
What would you recommend a tile contractor to charge for a bathroom like that ?
Hey Sal, I have purchased the same tile you are using here and am using a good thin set (VersaBond white). My existing wall tile only goes up to 6' on the wall. I want to add another 2' with the same tile (taking the tile to the ceiling). Would it be okay to tile right over the remaining 2' , from top of tile to ceiling with out waterproofing the wall first. If not, how would I water proof the wall before adding my thin set? could this be done with a paint?
thanks and your video is very helpful.
+David Early If it is above the shower head you don't need to waterproof it if you don't want to. Otherwise use a liquid applied waterproofing like Mapei Aquadefense.
Sal - doing the same subway tiles in my shower stall. How did you determine the height of the ledger to start your fist course? I prefer not to have to rip cut tiles on the base. What do you think?
I like it that way when possible, you will have to see what your cuts will be every where else, ceiling, curb and any other place that you will have to cut your tile, if your shower base is level and every where else works out put your ledger board at a height slight,y more than the width of your tile, make sure it is level and well fastened, and you are good to go. I say slightly more than the width of a tile, because your shower floor tile will cover any gap at the wall floor transitions. If your shower base perimeter not level, you will not be able to start with a full tile.
Do you back butter all subway tile I noticed you did a little on some. And do you recommend a leger board if you have a pre made pan such as the hydro block system. Can I just start the first coarse at the pan ?
Usually not needed on smaller tiles, but it can't hurt.
Sal diblasi, your work is great. Do you travel to Chicago?
Not to work :-)
Sal-great work as always but can you please tell me what size trowel is best for 3" x 6" subway tile? I was planning on using a 3/16" x 3/16" V-notch would this be acceptable? Thanks!
I will usually use a 1/4 x1/4 x 1/4 square notched trowel. however that depends on the tile. If the back of the tile is very flat and the tile itself is flat, a smaller trowel might work. Spread some mortar, set a few tiles, check the coverage, if you get the required 80% coverage (for a dry area, 95% wet area) you are good to go, if you need a bigger trowel, then use a bigger trowel. czcams.com/video/cqbYzSTiLG4/video.html
I see you separate the wall into sections and line up your first row from the middle out on one of your line...can you provide your measuring method so i can apply it ?
Please , which kind of grout do you use in this case ?
Sal do you Red Gard over your mud shower base?
Hi Sal, Love your videos, I was able to tile two bathroom floors with great success due to them. I'm getting ready to set 100 sq ft of subway tile. How do you determine layout? I notice you have 2 vertical lines. Also, what size trowel do you use? Last question, what height do you set the ledger board?
Check your email.
could I get that email too? @@SalDiBlasi
@@jeffr8303 He sent an email, I answered it, not sure I can find it after a year and not sure it would be right to share it.
How long did it take to cut 2nd piece around light? you can tell you have been doing this awhile. thank you for all the information that you share on here Sal
Yes a very long time, just a few minutes to make the cuts.
Sal, what did you use to waterproof the Densshield seams? Is it 2" fibreglass tape and Redguard? Thanks!
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@@SalDiBlasi Thanks so much Sal. I really enjoy your channel. Keep up the great work. Better than anything on TV or Netflix!
Any online tile companies you or anyone else can recommend? My wife and I are trying to find light green(like sage or Oolong) and are having a hard time with local stores.
What do you do about the cut edge that goes against the bullnose? Do you polish each one? Or do you put the factory edge against the bullnose?
Use a rubbing stone to smooth off the edge, it has to be a cut tile, no way around it. Once you grout it will usually blend in.
Nice Job congratulation
Thanks!
More of a question...is that a wet saw you are using in the toilet alcove...what brand???? Thanks. You give me inspiration to be better...love your work!!! Jeff Ward
This is an older video. that saw is in the trash. This is my small saw now. amzn.to/3gE0Teq
Sal - I plan on doing a 33% offset running bond. My tile is 4 x 13. with this type of pattern do you recommend a starting point from center? is there any advice you can offer to avoid sliver cuts.
A 4x13 is not a large format tile, which means in most cases it is not necessary to offset by 1/3 however check first to make sure. Start where ever it makes the most sense. do a layout and know what all your cuts will be before you start.
I was opting for the 33% offset more for the look but maybe its a bad idea. thanks for always responding so promptly.
hey question: If you dont water proof and just tile, grout and then do the cocking , is that enough? is water proofing 100% necessary? thanks
Ask the people that did none (waterproofing) and wish they did.
how long does a shower stall take you to complete start to finish ?
Sal, What size notch trowel did you use for the subway tile? Thanks
Depends on the tile, watch this czcams.com/video/w5RqzOAn_tc/video.html
What are the 2 vertical lines for? How to measure where to start or how to lay out?
It is a running bond so one line for one row, the other for the next.
Do you have to leave space between the tiles where the corners meet, or do they just get butted up against each other with no space?
Always leave a space between tiles at all corners and changes of plane.
Nice work do you have to put spacers or can I do it without please lmk thanks
Depends on the tile.
Thanks
Are all the tiles that butt up against the bullnose cut and then stone-rubbed? Is that because the tiles are "folded over" in the corners?
Every job is different, the layout will determine the cuts and the cuts should be treated in the proper way
Hi sal, one question when durock is installed and there's a gap between durock and sheetrock what do I apply to cover that? Thank you
Use alkali resistant fiberglass mesh tape and thinset.
What were the two lines in the middle for and how do you tell if the tiles have automatic spacers on them?
Lines for alternating half tile, tiles with Auto Spacers usually have little nubs or ridges along the tile edge, however there are fewer and fewer available these days.
Curb is a little tall isn't it? Reguardless of the substrate I always waterproof entire wall
Question. Is this tile designed to not use (grout) spacers other than to make bullnose match tub surround or can you butt any subway tile to eliminate grout spacing?
Years ago most subway tiles had automatic spacers built in, today they are far a few between, so you have to check the tile by putting a couple together and see if there is any gap between the tiles.
Sal, when the tiles do not have the automatic spacers, do you have preferred spacer size/shape? i.e. 1/16" horsehoes?
Yes a 1/16" is what i will usually use
Is there a benefit to using a horseshoe shim/spacer compared to a "T" spacer?
They are much easier to remove.
What do you use to mark the tile for cutting? A sharpie?
Usually a pencil, or a sharpie, or whatever else works.
how do you turn the corner and keep the pattern if you start n the outer edge with the bullnose working into the back wall?
If you have measured your tiles and know what your cuts should be, you can start where you want.
Nice done
Is sanded grout safe to use on the glossy finish of subway tile?
Maybe, maybe not, depends on the tile, however i have done it many times.
Do you have any photos of this finished shower stall? Thanks in advance!
I do, but here is a time lapse (Fast forward) of this bathroom czcams.com/video/7X7SdQhnKrc/video.html
Do you precut the lengths,or use a tile cutter or wet saw?
Precut the lengths of what? and I use both.
+Sal DiBlasi the pieces you have to cut on each , end , do you precut those ?
Holy crap, warn someone of the noise of that rotozip to the folks wearing headphones! lol
I wished I seen this comment before watching this with headphones. That shit was loud
Like a “Boss”
How do you determine the layout of the sidewalls? Is it just a full tile from bullnose ? What happens if you are left with a sliver on the inside corner?
Adjust your layout to make it work. Start with a cut piece.
Ok thanks. So if I have a 2” piece on the ends of my back wall, I don’t take the cutoff 4” remaining piece and run it on the sidewall so that course appears to be continuous ? Just always start from the bullnose and work back to the back wall
wish i could work this fast
Those little cut outs in a shower wall seem easy enough to add, but it’s my least favorite part to tile. It seems to double the amount of time it takes to finish. At least with my very limited tile experience. My daughter wanted not one, but two cut outs in her shower. I couldn’t talk her out of it. My least favorite is all the little cuts needed to finish off those boxes. 🙄
how do I get the first subway tile centered...this is my first attempt for tiling a shower
rosezamify Center might not be the best option, you need to do a layout of your shower so you will know what size pieces you will get at every corner and elevation so you don't end up with slivers anywhere.
+rosezamify mesure your wall and find the center of that measurement mark that point on your wall and double check to make sure it is correct lay out a couple tiles from that point you marked to the wall if your cut is any smaller than half of your tile don't start with the joint on the point you marked on the wall find the center of your tile and start with the center of the tile on the point you originally marked that is how you get the best (biggest) cuts
How are you cutting the subway tile so fast right there in the shower?
Snap cutter.
Tile installing God!
No waterproofing the niche???
Is 3x6 inch tiles typical for a shower?
very common.
I've heard that using the penny tiles on the floor leave too many grout lines increasing possibly of water seepage and that they are very thin making it difficult to lay on thin set without it seeping through. I'm not a tiler and know nothing about it. I just heard this from another tiler witha youtube channel. For a novice like me if it's better to use a floor tiles that's thicker and has less grout lines to worry about.
The tile is really of no consequence, unless it is made of a delicate material, the entire shower should be waterproof before any tile is installed. The tile part of the job is purely aesthetics.
what brand of subway tiles are you using that you don't need spacers ?
David Bissell Daltile
is that the Arctic white ?
Don't remember the color.
Trying to find this tile from Daltile. Was this vitreous tile since it's used in a shower?
how much do you charge for a subway tile in a shower job like that?
duck featherland
Do you normally do the shower floor before or after the walls?
+Alpha Personal Training There is not a one size fits all answer to that question, depends on the tile and system that is being installed and what might work better to keep the job going, in realty it really does not matter. If the shower is constructed properly makes no difference at all.
@@SalDiBlasi Sal, when doing the floor first and your floor tiles are level around the floor can you forgo the ledger boards and just lay a spacer board along the floor tiles then start tiling up from there?
@@barrystraughan For sure, I do that all the time.
@@SalDiBlasi Wow! Talk about a quick response. I've been enjoying your videos for a few years and am working on my second shower because of your great videos. Thank you VERY much.
@@SalDiBlasi We made a pretty big mistake and need help ASAP because we are stopped from proceeding until we know what to do. Hopefully you will be able to help us. When putting up the DensSheild my son used too much silicone on all the joints and over the screws. Then we tried to scrape off the silicone but found we ended up removing some of the rough surface of the DensSheild. Fortunately we did not going through the membrane. We still have some silicone on the surfaces in those areas and thought we would try using RedGuard with the fiberglass mesh over the joints (just RedGuard over the screws) after we RedGuarded the floor and threshold. We are worried we will have to remove all the DensSheild and start again (very expensive) because the RedGuard might not stick to silicone. Have we made a terrible blunder or can we continue using the DensSheild for 4x12 subway tiles?
Sal, what brand of niche is that? Thank you for the video!
Noble Niche
no waterproof for niche ?
One piece waterproof niche.
Why are you waterproofing the mud over a copper pan? How are you ting in the top waterproofing to the drain? Looks like your coats are pretty thin most manufacturers have a minimum thickness .
I am waterproofing the mud over the copper pan because copper pans have no weep holes, it is Just the way they are here, always have been. Any water that gets through the mud will remain in the copper pan, for ever, so to stop that I waterproof the mud. I know that the drain is not designed to tie into the waterproofing like a kerdi drain, but I do the best I can under the circumstances. The waterproofing is applied to the recomended thickness that two coats achieve. Please no lectures, if you have ever ripped out the mud that has been in a copper pan after years of use, you will know just how saturated they can be and how much water accumulates in them. After 30 years of installIng tile In the Boston area, dealng with copper pans, this is how I have determined is the way to deal with this issue. The plumber installs the copper pan according to code in this area, when a copper pan is used. Years ago,in this area, copper pans were used in every shower, without veriation, then came the rubber membranes with the three piece drains and other systems, but a cetain percentage are still copper pans, some GCs will not use anything else. If you have a suggestion on how to deal with this, please share.
13:27 - 15:54 get earphones turn it to maximum the play.
No Name lmao
If I tried the tile would be hitting me in the head all day long