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subway tile backsplash-center on Window or start at edge?

2 years ago

We spent a lot of time with our kitchen designer lining the upper cabinet with the edge of the counter so that the tile could end aligned with both the upper cabinet and the counter. Then the tile fellow came in and centered the subway tile on the window in the center of the wall. He insists that this is the only correct way to do it but it means that it ends short of the edge of the cabinet and the counter… It looks wrong to us but is that something that we won’t notice after a month or so? Is he correct that it would it look off if the subway tile was not centered on the window? Any advice is appreciated.

Comments (11)

  • 2 years ago

    Certainly not worth a do-over. I think it looks fine and won’t be noticeable when you’re done.

  • 2 years ago

    the tile installation is nicely done, and correct. I doubt you will be troubled by it once you move into the space. Centering on the window is more noticable , not having that would have been VERY noticible, especially above the cooktop against a straight edge. I once had an island countertop with a Ogee edge, and though it looked lovely, I hated wiping it off... just a strange awkward feel, never felt like a clean swipe... always an eased edge for me now. congratulations on the new project, well done!

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    It looks very nice and professionally done. Don't sweat it.

  • PRO
    2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    Well..............Agree that isn't the best.

    You might find a pencil liner match?

    This is what happens, when obsessing on three inches of tile beneath a window sill....and I will hope your grout is field tile color.

    Where is the venting for the cook top?



  • PRO
    2 years ago

    \IMO always start where your eye goes and that usually is centered on the wall and in your case the window is the place your eye goes so centered on there was the right way.

  • 2 years ago

    A really good tile guy would have laid it out both ways for you, explained the differences and then let the customer choose.

    Choosing an ogee edge for your counter also meant you couldn't go all the way to the edge of the counter and line it up with the upper cabinets.

  • 2 years ago

    Thanks to everyone who responded and I definitely agree with Chispa. Jan I was planning on going with a white grout… is that what you mean? You seem to have strong feelings about it so I’m curious as to why as I’m just trying to learn. Thank you

  • last year

    I did a complete reno when I bought my house. Gutted the kitchen. Of course, not everything was installed the way I thought they should be. Now, after I'm living in the house a while, I don't even notice most of the details over which I agonized during the reno process.

  • PRO
    last year

    You have plenty of interest with matching grout. The more contrast? The busier the effect. A very, very pale warm gray could work too.

    I would also question why you wanted the ogee edge on counter.....and Chispa up there is correct. : ) All the agony on line up was a bit wasted.

  • last year

    He's correct. Maybe a pencil trim?

  • last year

    I wanted white tile and I thought I bought white tile but once it was it looks like a pale gray so I’m thinking white grout might help it to look a little whiter. The only thing I’m sure of is Louise hit the nail on the head because if I were to write a book it would be entitled Kitchen Agony.