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Subway Tile Calculator
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Tile Calculator Cost

Are subway tiles expensive?

Subway tile is a must addition to your house if you’re into luxury yet minimalistic decor.
Mainly made out of white ceramic material, subway tiles are versatile and used in almost any house station.
Subway tile normally comes in 3x6 rectangular size with a white glossy outer layer, making it easy to clean and neat for the eyes.
Moreover, It is now available in different colors, sizes, and patterns, allowing for creative combinations.
For this reason, subway tile price also varies depending on its size and structure.
Examining the cost can be tricky sometimes, especially if you don't have a professional at your side to guide you.
But luckily, we were able to gather some of the essential cost factors of installing subway tiles. Here’s what we got:

Subway tile Cost Per Sq. Ft

Most homeowners pay around $7 to $13 per square foot of subway tile, excluding the grout.
On top of this, labor costs $4 per square foot and may vary depending on the complexity of the covered area.
On the other hand, there are also other available sizes of such a tile with varying prices:
  • 4x4: $6 per square foot
  • 4x8: $6.6/ sq. ft.
  • 2x4: $7/ sq. ft.
  • 4x12: $7/ sq. ft.
  • 2x8: $7.5/ sq. ft.
  • 4x10: $9/ sq. ft.
  • 12x24: $11/ sq. ft.
  • 3x12: $18/ sq. ft.
And per style:
  • Ceramic: $4 to $8 per square foot
  • Travertine: $20 to $30/ sq. ft.
  • Glass Tile: $29 to $38/ sq. ft.
  • Copper: $30 to $49/ sq. ft.
  • Mosaic Glass Tile: $31 to $49/ sq. ft.
  • Steel: $33 to $41/ sq. ft.
  • Granite: $35 to $59/ sq. ft.
  • Marble: $39 to $46/ sq. ft.

6 Factors That Affect Subway Tile Price

Other components that influence the total cost of installing subway tiles include the following:
  • Pattern: The tiles’ arrangement mainly determines the job’s complexity, thus increasing the labor cost.
         It may be in the form of herringbone, classic, stacked horizontal, stacked vertical, or step ladder, among others.
  • Grout Spacing: Determines how many tiles you need per square foot following the spaces.
  • Grout Color
  • Finish
  • Type
  • Size

 Kitchen and Bathroom Backsplash

Subway tiles originated in New York City’s subway system in 1904.
The contractors chose a simple, clean design to let the passengers feel comfortable traveling underground.
Today, subway tiles are primarily used in two areas of the house: the kitchen and bathroom.
  1. Kitchen Wall: Installing a kitchen backsplash could cost you around $25 to $37.5 per square foot, depending on the following factors:
  • Pattern
  • Tile size
  • Area covered
  • Material Type 
  • Finish
  • Cost of remodel
  1. Bathroom Wall: Most homeowners pay roughly $600 to $1,350 per 16 square feet (average size of a room),
          averaging $1,000. Apart from tiles, some also use self-adhesive types, which are practically easier to install. 
The cost factors in installing bathroom backsplash are almost similar to kitchen’s, but the former has a different set of most used tiles, and these are:
  • Glass Peel-And-Stick
  • Glass Slab
  • Classic White Subway Tile
  • Marble Panel
  • Aluminum Self-Adhesive
  • Stone Peel-And-Stick
  • Gloss Finish Glass

Subway Tile Installation Cost

Although there are many available easy-to-apply subway tiles, hiring a professional is still highly suggestible.
There are prep works that should be put in place before going into the primary process. Typically,
these tasks require particular equipment and skills for completion that the contractor already has.
Expect to spend $40 to $150 per hour of labor. The rate varies depending on the complexity of the area.
The tile contractor may ask you for an additional $7 to $13/ sq. ft. to compensate for materials and grout.

How to measure the Subway Tile You Need?

Basically, just multiply the length of the wall by its width, then provide another 20% allowance for defects and faults.
Divide the resulting area by the size of the tile. 

Subway Tile Disadvantages and Advantages

Pros

  • Versatile
  • Mirrored backsplash make the kitchen appear brighter and lively
  • Many patterns and colors to choose from
  • Adds modernity to the house

Cons

  • Installing certain types and patterns can be costly
  • Difficult to install
  • Some types look boring

Maintenance and Enhancement Costs

Depending on the size covered, the average cost of removing backsplash is around $3 to $6 per square foot.
In addition, the tile contractor may ask you for another $100 to $150 for disposing of the debris.
On the other hand, patterns or arrangements also affect the total cost, particularly the famously used herringbone pattern.
The contractor would charge an additional $2 to $4 per square foot because it requires more effort than any other arrangements.
 
Steps On Subway Tile Installation Near Me
  1. Prepare the wall by cleaning it.
  2. Tape the edges of countertops.
  3. Gently spread the adhesive onto the wall.
  4. Install the tiles one at a time and ensure the layers are even. Use spacers in this part for better results (you’ll need a ton of them).
  5. Let them dry overnight before removing the spacers.
  6. Apply grout. Then, remove and clean the excess.

Tiles and their various kinds may seem complex, but that is the reason why we gathered the top construction companies in UAE, to make it easier for you.