Though subway tile might conjure images of – you guessed it – subway stations, the popular design isn’t always composed of plain white tile. This iconic tile was first installed over 100 years ago when a New York City subway station got a makeover. This popular design has since migrated to our homes, where it is commonly used in bathrooms, kitchens, and any other surface that needs to be durable and easy to clean.

Uses for Subway Tile

Because subway tile is easy to clean – you can literally wipe it down with soap and water, or for a more natural approach, white vinegar – it’s popular in the following areas:

• Kitchen backsplashes

Subway tile is a great choice for any kitchen area that will be regularly splashed with liquids that stain (spaghetti sauce, anyone?). Because it is waterproof and it won’t peel off the wall like paint or wallpaper, using subway tile behind your stove will protect that piece of wall from messes that you would likely need to paint over or scrub off the wall on a regular basis.

• Bathrooms

The air in household bathrooms is noticeably wetter than the rest of the house. Bathroom humidity can contribute to peeling wallpaper and mold growth. To help solve this problem, you could tile part of the bathroom in a fun design with subway tiles. It’ll protect your walls, as the tiles will not absorb the moisture, and it will allow you to add a fun splash of color to a potentially boring part of the house.

• Walls

It’s not a traditional look for a house, but why not add a dash of design to your breakfast nook, your basement, or another bare wall? Adding an accent wall, either with paint or wallpaper, has been a common trend in the past decade or two. Try subway tile for an updated twist on the accent wall.

Different Materials Found in Subway Tile

Subway tiles have been in style for the past 100 years, so it’s safe to say that they’ve undergone several evolutions in pattern, color, and material. Common materials used to create modern subway tiles are glass, marble, stone, ceramic, and porcelain. They can be crafted to look like stone or brick, or they can be brightly colored or faded to blend in with their surroundings. When it comes to subway tile, you have many options.

Different Types of Grout

Type of grout is really up to your personal preference. For a high-contrast look, chose light grout for dark tile, and vice versa. To create a seamless block of subway tile, choose matching grout. Remember, though, that white grout will show more stains if you do not seal it. Grout, unlike tile, can absorb liquid if not properly sealed. 

Installation Methods

While it’s possible to install subway tile yourself, you might want to contact a professional installer if it’s a big project. You have several patterns to choose from: You can lay them straight, diagonally, or even vertically.

• First, you must prepare the wall and counter space: make sure everything is clean and dry.
• Remove the outlet covers, nightlights, or anything else you have plugged in. You might want to put painting tape on cabinets or areas that you don’t want to get wet.
• Lay out your tile before putting it on the wall to make sure all the pieces are in order.
• Use an adhesive to stick the tiles to the wall, taking care to cut out pieces that will fit around outlets and light switches.
• Use grout to seal the cracks between the tile.

Peruse Mosaic Tile Outlet’s wide selection of subway tiles to find the perfect match for your project. Contact us with any questions and to place your order today!