We plan on installing it after the backsplash. I've heard that you can install it before, as long as you know the thickness of the backsplash tiles. This clearly requires you to have at least selected a backsplash. HTH.

IMO, do it after for a better fit. I didn't have my backsplash picked out when the cabs went in, so the light rail went up. I was undecided on marble/travertine/limestone. Now months later I have picked out tile. The light rail is down, waiting for the tile setter nx week. No one wanted to try cutting tile around the light rail. Had I known I was going to put tile up, I *might have asked about cutting the light rail 1/2" short wherever it would butt up to tile.

We installed before the backsplash, and then just took off the pieces that needed to be removed to install backsplash, then reinstalled them.

The key here is you don't want to cut your tile around the light rain, you want the light rail to run in to the tile.

We installed before the backsplash, and then just took off the pieces that needed to be removed to install backsplash, then reinstalled them.

The key here is you don't want to cut your tile around the light rail, you want the light rail to run in to the tile.

Off installation topic, but is a light rail necessary? The cabinets I was looking at have about a half inch inset in the bottom of the cabinet where lights can go. I am thinking of putting plug molds, so I am not sure if that would show.

If you're going to have a tile backsplash, I would say after so it can be cut to size, and as other people mentioned, you're not going to want to cut the tile around the light rail molding.

dilly_ny, ultimately if its necessary is up to you. Most cabinets I've seen have a 1/2" inset and that's not usually enough to conceal the lights. It can depend on the lights you install, if there's a seating area nearby, or how large the room is. As you sit down or step further away from the cabinets they will become more noticeable. Depending on your layout and light will determine how tall the rail needs to be.

Definitely do it after. I asked about this recently and now it looks like I might have to remove mine to do my backsplash because I really don't want to cut around.

Thanks for all the responses.

I've been researching and thinking about this some more. Now I think it might be a combination of before and after. At the end of a cabinet run that where the side of the cabinet can be seen, I think you would want this tiled after the rail was in place. This way you are only seeing wood abutting to the wall. However, the backsplash area behind the rangetop which has opposing cabinet ends that can also also be seen, I think you would want to intsall the tile prior to placing the short pieces of rail.

Does this make since?

If I understand you right you're suggesting tiling after so you don't have any small gap between the rail and the tile? I'll still say to do it after. This gap can be made quite small with accurate cuts and you could possibly use colored caulk to hide it if that tiny gap is really a problem. But if you install it first then you have to cut the tile around the rail... which will be difficult to cut the profile precisely, and the result won't look as good (and be more work).

I also may not be imagining your situation correctly.

Wood is easier to cut than tile.

My cabinet maker installed the rail last after the tiling was done, trimmed to fit.

dilly, my cabs have about 3/4". I didn't need a light rail. I used the LEDs from environmental lights and then have plenty of room there. plugmold might be a different story.

I didn't need the light rail to hide the u/c lights, but I think it gives my traditional cabs a finished look. My old cabs didn't have them and I didn't miss having them. Now that mine are down for now, I like the looks of them with the light rail better.

?? When you need public transportation and money for infrastructure and room to lay the tracks?!?!

Reading through this thread... I'm curious if some of you all will post pictures to go along with what you are describing.