If i were to tile the back wall of a shower or bathtub surround with subway tile i would generally start with a vertical centerline.
Laying out subway wall tile.
Install tile on the back wall.
Be sure to complete 1 row before moving on to the next.
That is the most common place to begin because it will allow you to place the foundation tiles in place that will dictate where the other side wall tiles will lay in relation to the others.
If you are installing a backsplash behind a sink or area with moisture you ll need to be sure you re working on water resistant drywall or a rock based board.
Starting from the 4 central tiles lay out the remaining tiles in a straight line until you reach the wall.
The back wall will be where i start.
Add texture and it s enough to take an all white wall to the next level.
You ll see it really often used for subway tile like here in nicole ben s eclectic family pad in western australia but you can lay square tiles or more unusual shapes in a running bond as well.
Subway tile kitchen do.
Create a visually interesting shower wall by using the vertically stacked subway tile pattern but then offset the rows.
Consider backer board before you begin tiling check out the existing surface you ll be working on.
If not consider installing a tile backer board first.
Then return to the center and work your way toward the opposite wall to form a single row.
Vertically stacked large format tiles serve to extend your walls and floors in both directions.
Subway tiles suddenly take on new life and geometric appeal in this layout.
Work your way toward the wall.
When it comes to laying out subway tile i always draw two vertical lines one for each offset row.
With 10 foot ceilings in the bathroom and a plan to go all the way up to the ceiling right then and there we knew we were in for it.
The center of each tile is lined up with the edge of the tile above it.
Go on to how to tile a wall 2 3 fixing the wall tiles.
I drew a long vertical line indicating the center of the back wall.
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