The Perfect Finish for Your Tile
Bullnose? Quarter round? V-cap? Demystify trim terms and finish off your kitchen and bath tile in style
You have selected the perfect tile for your kitchen or bath and are ready to order. Have you thought about which trim pieces you will need to finish the job correctly? This is not the most exciting part of your tile shopping, but it is a necessary one.
For most tile installations, the finishing pieces are a no-brainer: You go with either the matching surface bullnose or quarter round, which I will explain ahead. In other cases, you might consider decorative trim to add a custom touch. Here are 6 popular options for finishing off your tile style.
Find a tile pro to help choose and install the right style
For most tile installations, the finishing pieces are a no-brainer: You go with either the matching surface bullnose or quarter round, which I will explain ahead. In other cases, you might consider decorative trim to add a custom touch. Here are 6 popular options for finishing off your tile style.
Find a tile pro to help choose and install the right style
No trim. First let's look at situations where no trim is needed. For most glass tile installations, when the tile is not cut, you don't need to trim it out. In this kitchen backsplash, matchstick glass tile runs horizontally and the top portion is smooth. The cut edges are right against the wall cabinet on one side and window casing on the other, so they are not exposed and do not need trim.
Here, the stone and glass mosaic backsplash tile goes from counter to the base of the wall cabinets and from the refrigerator cabinet to a wall on the left. In general, if the tile butts up against a cabinet, wall, ceiling or molding, the edges are not exposed so you don’t need to finish it off with trim.
Surface bullnose. This refers to a tile trim piece which has a convex radius on one side. It is used to finish the top or side of a tile area. This back splash was created with classic 3” x 6” ceramic subway tile and the edges are finished with 2” x 6” matching surface bullnose and a bullnose corner, also called down angle or double bullnose. The trim forms an inconspicuous border around the back splash and gives it a neat appearance.
Here, similar bullnose borders penny round tile, and it has the look of clean white molding. This is a great solution for finishing off unusually shaped tile or ones without matching trim pieces.
Quarter round. Also called a bead, this curved trim piece is usually 6” long and is used to finish the edges of tile installed on a mortar bed. It looks like a quarter of a round. In this bath, quarter rounds line the edge of this shower wall and tub deck. The corner piece is called a beak. Isn’t that a funny name?
Cap molding. This trim piece is a decorative option for finishing or "capping" a tile wainscot. Sometimes it is called chair rail. Plain white caps top this bath's wall tile and a black accent liner plays off the black and white mosaic floor nicely.
Here, steel blue cap molding, decorative accent tiles and bar liners contrast the crisp white tile of this tub surround and bring out the beautiful veining of the Calacatta marble on the tub deck.
Cap molding works well for kitchen backsplashes too.
Bar liner. These thin bars are often used to add texture and interest to a wall of tile. As long as one edge is glazed, these decorative liners can also trim tile. Here, a beaded liner frames diagonal tiles on a pretty vanity backsplash. Crossville Tile has detailed fact sheets which illustrate all the trim pieces available for their tile.
V-Cap. Also known as a sink cap, this piece is used to finish the edge of a kitchen or bathroom counter. It usually has a raised edge to prevent water from dripping onto the floor. Here is an example.
Natural Stone. Most stone tile does not come with trim pieces because the edges can be ground down to soften them. In this cararra marble bath, there are no trim pieces, just smooth edges.
This Ming Green marble bath does have specialized trim pieces. The vanity counter has sink cap, the backsplash is topped with cap molding and a decorative niche in the shower is bordered with molding much like a picture frame.
If you have other ways you like to trim out tile, please share them with us in the Comments section.
More:
Straight From Spain: Amazing New Tile Trends
Penny Tiles, Please
Hexagonal Tiles
Change Up Your Tiles
If you have other ways you like to trim out tile, please share them with us in the Comments section.
More:
Straight From Spain: Amazing New Tile Trends
Penny Tiles, Please
Hexagonal Tiles
Change Up Your Tiles
