Schluter trim to me is a clean alsmost ivisible way to do what you are doing and a much cleaner more contemporary look than any other edge detail. BTW you could have done larger format subway style tile and saved a lot of grout lines.BTW I never like white schluter it is IMO better to do silver or aluminum.

Thank you Patricia

Hi Hallett, I’m just looking for something clean to finish the ends that doesn’t stand out. Do you have any opinion on color of the schluter - silver vs. white?

just understand white profiles from schluter are painted. one chip, one swipe of the wrong cleaning agent and its a permanant eyesore. I prefer spending the $ on a subway w short side bullnose everytime.

I prefer the classic look of bullnose myself.

"The look that I'm going for is clean"

Then no bullnose. (I used the Custom Building Products "satin silver" tile edging trim and it looks nice and modern.)

-- amateur

Folks, first, I'm extremely grateful for all of your expertise and opinions. Given the pandemic, I'm trying to minimize my time in tile stores, so I haven't been able to solicit a lot of advice. Thank you so much for helping me.

Secondly, newbie error - when I say "clean" I don't actually mean modern, what I mean is that I don't like a trim that is very different from the rest of the layout. As an example, this photo here with the brown wall, the switch to a full size vertical-orientation tile doesn't work for me. But I don't mind the edge in this photo with the blue vanity. Would anyone be able to tell me if the ramp edge tile in my original post would give me this effect? It looks like it would, but I'd need to special order it so I'd rather not make a mistake.

But Mint Tile - you hit the nail on the head, I think a short-side bullnose is exactly the look I'd like. Would you happen to know of any tile lines that have this option for white subway? It looks like the Jeffrey Court Vintage Studio line does not offer this type of tile.

Thanks all, I don't know what I'd do without you!

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Both American Olean and Daltile (actually owned by the same company) have bullnose on both the long and short sides.

Subway tile--particularly the 3 x 6 variety--implies vintage, unless you're setting it vertically or straight set for a more modern look. So, if you're offsetting it in the more vintage-looking way, use trim. If you're doing a more modern setting style, go with Schluter. If you like a cleaner look for the trim pieces, go with a pencil liner or bar liner.

Single bullnose - the bottom left in the pic you posted. That's what I always use for finishing.

Sabrina Alfin Interiors, thank you. I am in fact planning on a traditional off-set pattern. The line I'm looking at offers a Ramp Edge and a Rail. Would you be able to tell me if either of these could be used as a pencil liner / bar liner?

why not just do the bullnose? And perhaps go w/a 4x12 instead of a 3x6.

here's my shower. I used a 4x12 with bullnose on both the vertical, for outside edges, and horizontal, for the top row

the bullnose option is one of the cleanest looks you'll get

the schluter I did for the accent and the niche (I chose black)

close up of that same 4x12 tile but in a diff layout. (this is my neighbors shower)

we opted for a stacked pattern layout. slightly more modern looking

this one got the Schluter edging on the outside

In this one, the tile didn't come w/a bullnose edge. we went w/the pencil liner.

again, a larger tile (either a 3x12 or 4x12) and a stacked layout

does this give you a better of idea of what look you like?

Beth H. this was great, you helped me realize that bullnose would be my first choice. The issue I have is that the line I picked (Jeffrey Court) does not offer a side bullnose, just the top. Another Houzzer suggested two other brands that I'm going to look at, but I need the tile to compliment a quartz that I'm using for the tub and vanity countertop - the Jeffrey Court line was the first one I found that worked. If I end up with the Jeffrey Court line, could I use the ramp edge as a pencil liner?

yes you could do that w/the jeff.

(i've also seen tile layouts where they use the longer bullnose side as the border tile on the outside edge. that's also an option)

as for other white tiles, you probably know that they make many diff shades of white subway tile. There are more options than what home depot sells! go to an actual tile store and they have at least 40 diff white subway tiles, most of them w/bullnose edges.

or, try Tilebar. they also sell many diff white subways.

I'd stay away from the 3x6 size. go for a larger tile. you'll appreciate the larger tile size w/less grout to clean. the ones I have, the 4x12, are all self spacing w/a 1/16" grout joint. minimal issues w/cleaning.

The Ramp piece is their smallest profile; use that. If you want a series that offers both a 3x6 with a finish edge on the 6 or the 3 inch side; look for Adex Studio line.

OP, rail liners and bar liners are essentially the same thing. Different manufacturers call them different names, sometimes. I think that would be great. I tend to prefer a finishing trim piece vs. just a bullnose edge. Makes it look more intentional, IMO.

I'm not sure if you are set on that brand or what your price point is, but Heritage Tile Subway Ceramics has pretty much every transition you could imagine including long and short bullnose . We used them and were incredibly happy with the product.