Where do I end my tile backsplash?

5 years ago

Hello! We are nearing the end of our kitchen remodel and I’m having some trouble with our backsplash. Where do we end our backsplash on the wall where our kitchen window is? To the blue line or the red line? I don’t want our tile to go up the kitchen window so it just seems kinda odd to me if we end it on the red line. The blue line makes the most sense to me. What do you guys think?

P.S For reference our tile is subway tile (2X9)

Featured Answer

Kate Zink

5 years ago

Find someone local to you that does molding work and do a nice window casing. Stop the tile at the blue line. The window casing will come down to your counter with a small piece under the sill. It will be caulked so no need to worry.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

PRO
Beth H. :
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
take it to the red line if doing no casing, OR

stop at blue line and install some nice window casing, like this:
User
5 years ago
Thin blue line.
Related Discussions
Where do I end my backsplash? Need Advice
Q
Comments (6)
I think it would. Just end it with a bullnose, or finished edge tile flush with the end of the flat of the countertop (IOW, don't come all the way out to the tip of the bullnosed edge of the countertop) But of course, that's personal opinion, and yours is the one that counts, being you'll be the one living with it afterward! :-)
...See More
Where do the sides of your backsplash end?
Q
Comments (2)
Yep, I'd say the backsplash is 'connected' to your cabinets, so usually would end with them. I have, though, seen it where people take it over to the trim, then run the tile all the way to the floor between the base cabinet and trim.
...See More
The dreaded where do I end my backsplash question
Q
Comments (20)
I am leaning towards bringing it around to the window wall at the same height but I do have a granite riser/sill under the window so will this look okay? Absolutely fine. I love the the look of a herringbone backsplash in a solid neutral color but is that going to be too busy for my kitchen? It will be lovely with the right tile and grout combo. What is your tile budget in $/sf? With your cabinet and granite neutral is key, but lighter neutrals are going to be better choices than more saturated hues. The images below are from Fireclay Tile and show Feldspar, Gardenia, and Tusk. Gardenia is one of my favorites, as is Tusk, and both are part of the Foundations line that runs $15/sf for several sizes including 3"x6" tiles. You can order samples from the website, or look for tiles of similar shades at local tile showrooms. Keep in mind that you will likely want bullnosed edge and/or trim pieces available for whichever tile you choose.
...See More
Where do i end kitchen backsplash?
Q
Comments (1)
Cabinet.
...See More
chispa
5 years ago
Agree with Beth's choices above

If you went to the blue line, what are your plans for that area with sheetrock and below the window sill? You are going to leave the areas most likely to get splashed with water totally naked?
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Poster above points it out and it makes me nervous.

How in the world did your KD plan to water proof and gunk proof under that window?

Was your KD planning on installing a 1" high by 1" wide caulk threshold ? And how does your KD suggest going about cleaning debris out of that hole?

Do you think the window and header are installed to low and this created your situation?

Just one last thing. Electrical outlets have to be a max of 2 feet away from your sink, but can be closer. Put why do you want to be soooo close to the sink? Does your KD want to electrocute your family because there are a lot of electrical outlets next to the sink.

I'd run, not walk, to your KD and discuss this.
PRO
Beth H. :
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I'm sure they will have GFI plugs. what's the big deal? you have to have a switch for the garbage disposal. They put outlets next to bathroom sinks all the time. GFI are required which I'm sure they'll do.

as for the sink issue, I'd remove that sill and have them tile up and over it,

or have a spare piece of your countertop cut and use that behind the sink and for the sill.

ideally it should have been done like this

you can always get a thicker piece so that it rests on the counter. just make sure to use a good silicone to waterproof the seam.
yvonnebelinda
Original Author
5 years ago
Beth, thank you so much for your comments! I love the idea of putting casing on the window and stopping at the blue line but I’m unsure of how to case a window with the curved portion at the top of the window. I’m wondering if adding casing just to the straight edges around the window would make it feel “choppy”. Is there a way to include some casing around the windows that doesn’t chop up the cohesive feel of the window? I hope I’m making sense lol.
yvonnebelinda
Original Author
5 years ago
Chispa, I honestly have no idea what to do with that area under the window sil. I assumed the contractor was going to add something there that would be appropriate in terms of waterproofing but we are having some issues with our contractor right now (he seems to have dropped off the map). We aren’t designers and this is our first kitchen remodel so I’m not sure what to do about that window sil. It wasn’t intentional on our part though.
yvonnebelinda
Original Author
5 years ago
Goluscomb, We didn’t add the window sil or a new window to the area. Perhaps it is too low, I’m not sure. Is it possible to “build up” what’s too low? We also didn’t choose where to place the electrical. Our contractor and electrician placed everything according to code. All the outlets will be GFCI outlets as well.
yvonnebelinda
Original Author
5 years ago
Oh boy. I’m pretty nervous now about that window sil . Like I said, we are newbies with remodeling and I just assumed this is what had to be done for our window situation.. tile is happening tomorrow.. should I postpone the tile and do something about the window sil height? What are the options for that space?
PRO
Beth H. :
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
what kate said. you can use a vinyl piece of casing under that sill portion and caulk w/100% silicon. 100%. k?

or, do you have any left over countertop? cut a small piece and put it under the sill.

as for doing the window casing, it's not difficult, but since your contractor is missing?? maybe ask the tile guy if he can do it for you. just some simple molding, nothing fancy. Like this one.

as for the window above, i'd leave as is. Or, you could try doing an arched casing

BTW, are you do a plain old offset layout w/those white subways? at least do a herringbone or something to break up the white monotony!
yvonnebelinda
Original Author
5 years ago
Beth H. : Thank you for your suggestions & photos. I will ask our tile guy if they'd be able to do some kind of casing for us around the window. I wish our kitchen window had either a straight rectangle on top or a real arch like the photos you posted. The top window is tricky for me to conceptualize what it would look like without molding. I thought about encasing the whole window with two vertical pieces on the left and right side but the middle piece that separates the top window from the bottom window would be strangely thick. At this point it may be easier to just bring the tile to the red line and add a roman shade over the top of the bottom window but I'm not 100% sure yet.

As for the tile, we are doing the plain subway tile pattern. I thought about herringbone for the backsplash but my husband and I love the classic look. We are weird with patterns and not gutsy enough to try anything bold lol. Our kitchen has a lot of white in it and we went with honey/light cinnamon colored floors to keep it very neutral. I change color schemes at least once every two months so it made sense to keep it very neutral for us.
PRO
Beth H. :
5 years ago
you can do an inner mount blind for that window. but please do the casing, at least around that one. trust me, it will look so much better than just hanging a blind over it. don't wimp out now!

as for the upper window, i'm sure someone can do it for you. perhaps later on you could change it out to a square one, or, have a nice beveled leaded or stained glass insert made for it. it fits right over the glass.
Buehl
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
"...you have to have a switch for the garbage disposal..."

No, you do not. Use an airswitch for your disposal -- unless it's too late b/c the counters are installed and you don't want to drill another hole. (Your KD should have suggested it to you.)

.

Counter-height windows -- love them!