I’ve been lurking and learning here for a couple of months. I’m wondering if 250 plus tile cuts is common for a subway tile job on 5′ tub surround? This is the first time I worked with tile so it was tedious and time consuming to say the least.
When I Durocked the surround I thought it would be cool to make a triangle shaped shampoo holder on the far wall. What I nightmare brain steamer that was. It turned out alright, but I was fighting the most visible wall that was 5/8” out plumb on the high side. I thought about shimming the entire wall when it was gutted but didn’t trust my lack of home remodeling skills. I envisiioned a warbly mess of Durock and drywall so I left it alone. The house is 1910 Victorian in the N.W. Thanks for any insight.
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We did a surround in subway tile. I unfortunately priced it like normal tile. MISTAKE!!! Anyway it is more time consuming just laying up the tiles in the field but 250 cuts seems a lot. I don't typically count my cuts but I suppose we did 75ish. DanT
pictures?
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Any time you install tile with a diamond or triangle design it will require more time and cuts. As a novice it will require even more of each of these.
F.
What were you cutting? Did you have to rip tiles in half to make 3x6s? 250 sounds like a lot, but I guess I would expect up to 6 cuts per course in a three sided job, plus a few dozen to make the shampoo niche.
I had to rip tiles in the window area because bullnose wouldn't fit the layout or lack thereof when I reached the window area. I was using 1/8'' spacers but when I reached the window there was a 1/2'' gap, so I went with the round over tile to keep the spacing uniform.
The counting was merely to justify to myself how long this took me. I could have owned 3-4 nice tile saws if I had rented one. With the time it took, I easily justified the purchase of an MK 370. I tryed to make use of full tiles in the layout, but every row has cuts on both sides I haven't checked the other bathroom standup custom shower stall with extra high showerhead. I'm glad its mostly done. On the tub/tile interface, what is the caulk of choice? I used a pewter grout on white tile with a white tub. Thanks for any advice
I tryed to make use of full tiles in the layout, but every row has cuts on both sides
That's the clincher with subway or any latout with a running bond. Just count your courses and multiply by 6 and you should be close to your 250.
@ 4 tile per vertical ft x 7ft=28 courses x6 (4 inside corners and 2 ends) =168 cuts plus the windows.
You could have picked something easier for your first try!
Eric
If you wish to match your grout, your tile store should be able to get you a caulk in that color. Colorfast is one, I believe.