Backsplash gap

[Rburt5]

In laying out my subway tile backsplash I’m going to have a 3/8” gap between the top row of tile and the cabinets. That feels like a little too much to caulk and too narrow to cut a thin row of tile. My gut tells me a piece of 1/2” quarter round molding is the way to go. Are there better options?

 

[Howard M Emerson]

In laying out my subway tile backsplash I’m going to have a 3/8” gap between the top row of tile and the cabinets. That feels like a little too much to caulk and too narrow to cut a thin row of tile. My gut tells me a piece of 1/2” quarter round molding is the way to go. Are there better options?

If you use the next size tile spacer from whatever you're currently considering you could make up a bunch of the difference by the time you get to the top row. If you start your first row on a spacer there's that bit of extra mileage as well.

While there's also the consideration of 'line of sight' involved, making the gap actually smaller would be the best outcome.

Not knowing your backsplash height, tile size, etc makes it hard to advise, but....

Best,
Howard Emerson

 

[Sponsor]

 

[John Gayewski]

There are also tile moldings that can look nice in certain circumstances.

 

[LLigetfa]

There are also tile moldings that can look nice in certain circumstances.

Tile trim is another search term to use. They come in many shapes, sizes, and finishes. They can also be used in between tile as accent strips.

Here is an example where I created an accent with metal tile trim.

 

[Reach4]

If you use the next size tile spacer from whatever you're currently considering you could make up a bunch of the difference by the time you get to the top row.

Nice. I had interpreted the space as being horizontal rather than vertical. I like your interpretation better.

 

[Rburt5]

I appreciate all the suggestions. I’ll have to look a little more into the tile trim options. After getting the tile in place the gap is mostly 1/4” and gets slightly bigger and slightly smaller in places (3/16 minimum and 3/8 max) depending on how parallel the cabinets are to the counter top.