Sloppy tile cuts, as in the shower niche image above, are an obvious sign of a bad tile job. The tile at the right hand side of the counter is leaning forwards slightly - the adhesive is thicker at top than at bottom so it tilts (hard to get a good pic but I have used a spirit level on it to confirm) There is a gap between the tiles/wall/my counter - has the counter been made too short? I sort of can't wait for our next tile job so we can use these new ones and then just talk bad about the green jerks behind their backs. Ugly Grout Lines. Obviously the above image looks over the top because of the architecture. White Subway Tile Backsplash Don't: Assume You'll Just Fill with Grout Our kitchen is fairly big, so it didn't take long for the precision-cut fatigue to set in. The layout we're using in our subway tile is a standard running bond pattern. By cutting them in half ahead of time, you make sure that you get two exact 1/2 tiles with one cut which helps you keep your tiling lined up precisely as you work your way across the wall. While the classic subway tile measures three by six inches, the definition is expanding. Disparagingly referred to as a “Jersey mud job”, or sometimes, “Cleveland mud job” by tile professionals because it’s popularity seems to be regionally confined to these areas, this method involves stapling expanded metal lath to the floor and troweling mortar into it, thus producing a thin (approximately 1/8″) bed. Too bad this contractor didn't listen. Incorrectly Cut Tile: Example 2 "Measure twice, cut once," Grandma always used to say. Was called in half way through this bad job, another "handyman" thinking he can do a tiled shower. However, Daltile makes some other options ( “Trim” tab at the bottom of this page ) in a similar 3×6 white tile (color 0100). And, it turns out, they aren’t always rectangular anymore: “Subway tiles can be square,” reveals Christine in Remodeling 101: White Tile Pattern Glossary. For instance, the 3×6 subway tile that Home Depot carries only comes with trim tile in a 2×6 bullnose tile and a 2×2 out corner. Contrary to what regular readers of my blog may believe this is not a page about my personality. At … Okay, back to tiling and away from ranting about spacers again. It’s stunning and not really the norm, but you get the point! Was called in half way through this bad job, another "handyman" thinking he can do a tiled shower. When you are setting the tile, make sure there is a little extra glue on the edge of the tile where your end point (line) is. Cut whole tiles in half for the staggered design of a classic white subway tile installation. 5. This is a page with photos of improper tile installations. Huge, uneven grout lines make even nice new tile look ugly. Please do not make the same mistakes. Nowadays, tiles that are twice as long as they are wide are generally referred to as subway tile. Now when your tile is finished slip the schluter underneath the tile. This goes for any tile job, if you want it to look finished and tailored… use trim pieces! It pained me to use the old green ones. Press firmly on the tile (grout floats are great way to apply even pressure), wiping away access adhesive until the tile are flush with the schluter.