How do I handle this backsplash issue? Bill and everyone?

15 years ago

Yes, almost 3 years in the house and I still don't have a backplash. I finally decided the kitchen has enough going on and to just do a subway backsplash. I like the Cristalli line from Horus Art. I was thinking of mixing bianco (white), bisque and vanilla (the cabinets are medium stained cherry and the granite is Coast Green). These tiles are irregular and it seems like the grout line on the sample board is about 1/8".

The issue. My backsplash is 18 3/4" (actually, it varies, which I'm not happy about, but 18 3/4" is the max). The tiles are 2 1/2" x 5" (actual, I measured them). If I use an 1/8" grout line I come up short. 7 tiles and 8 grout lines equals 18 1/2". I think a grout line bigger than 1/8" would look too big. I looked into trim pieces, but they will REALLY add to the price and using a trim piece defeats the simplicity of the subway.

Any solutions? Also, has anyone else used the Cristalli line? Thanks.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mix of tiles pic

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Comments (9)

edlakin
15 years ago
i would just use a bit of cut tile up near where the backsplash meets the cabinets to fill in the gap.
sue36
Original Author
15 years ago
The little cut piece would be a 1/8" or less (1/8" tile plus an additional 1/8" grout line), I don't think that will work, but thanks for trying!
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edlakin
15 years ago
how about just doing an extra-fat grout line up near the cabinets, then?

you could also do a row of half-tiles down at the bottom and then another row of half (or close) tiles up at the top. that would add an extra grout line to eat up your space, i think.

(disclaimer--i'm not a tile expert or anything...just brainstorming)
User
15 years ago
What about installing plugmold up against the bottom of your cabinets. Or, a small wooden trim from your cabinet line, like maybe quarter round. Or, use 3/16 grout line, which really is fine with something with such handmade character. Because of the irregularity of the tile, you may even end up needing a slightly wider grout line than 1/8.
Buehl
15 years ago
How about 8 tiles and cut them so there's an equal size on top & bottom...a little more than half for each. That will mean a bit of waste, but I think you may like it better. This will also allow you to accommodate the different heights of the BS w/o it looking "off" (I think a bigger grout line would be more noticeable than a slightly "taller" tile.)

Live_Wire_Oak has a point, though...you may need more than 1/8" of grout...even a smidgen more may makeup the 1/4" you need.

Bill...we need your expertise!
bill_vincent
15 years ago
Start with a 1 1/2" piece at the countertop, and cut whatever falls at the cabinets. based on the measurement you gave, that should give you equal cuts.

As for the grout joints, I can't really say, being all I saw was the picture on line, but from the pic, it looked like they used a tight 1/16" joint. if they're as irregular as it sounds, though, that might not be possible for an actual installation. That said, though, with these glazed tiles, I'd want to try and keep the grout joints as small as possible, or they might tend to overpower the tile, even with a matching grout.

As for the "extra fat" grout joint at the top, never in a million years. Sorry, Ed.
edlakin
15 years ago
hey, i gave my disclaimer above! i don't claim to be an expert. just tossing out ideas.
sue36
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks Bill. I guess it's back to square 1.

I guess I need a 3x6....Just ran some numbers. Even that poses an issue. Assuming the 3x6 is actually 3x6, I would need 6 tiles in height, which would total 18". And then I need to fill up the remaining 3/4". 1/16" grout (7 grout lines) equals only .4375", again about a third of an inch short. Grrrrrr. Now, if I did an 1/8" grout line it would work (with a slight trim on the top tile). But 1/8" grout line is too big unless the tile is really irregular.

Now I remember why I've gone 3 years without a backsplash.

Here's a picture of the Horus Art tile.
ccoombs1
15 years ago
Are you using the mosaic strip like shown in the picture above? If so, just increase it to two strips of mosaic instead of one. that will take about an inch. Then you can trim the tile at the top down just a shade.

How do I handle this backsplash issue? Bill and everyone?

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How do I handle this backsplash issue? Bill and everyone?

Comments (9)

edlakin

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