Hello Again!
I’m about to tile my backsplash in the kitchen. My question is whether to run Level from the counter top or set tile plumb (vertical) along the wall lengh. I ask this question because of various issues. 1) Separate lengths of countertop on either side of the range opening are not level. For this situation, I was going to run level from the lower countetop, and by the time I make it to the other side of the range opening, and to the next length of couuntetop, I will be cutting the bottom of the field tiles about 1/8 inch. This way my grout lines, vertical and horizontal will all match, from counter top up to the ventillation hood behind the range. 2) The other situation is a wall length of 13 feet, with the counter top gently sloping from left to right by a total of 1/4″. As I indicated for the first “issue”, I’ll start on the right side and run level, and will be cutting the first row of field tile at some point towards the left to I maintain a level grout line. I suppose the other option for the secon issue is to just set tile on counter top and make sure the tiles are laid plumb all the way across.
What’s best?
Thanks,
Geoman
Replies
what's best? Fooling the eye.
There are several ways to do this that might work. What size tile, any pattern or just straight continuous grout lines horizontal and vertical?
At the range, could you run a row or two of vertical strips of either the same tile-cut, then range tile (diagonal feature?), then start up again with another vertical run to cap the feature-then continue with the same as the left side of the range?
I pick up the first row off the counter at least a grout joint thickness-I never set the tiles right on the counter-for a few reasons. Easier for them and the caulk joint NOT to crack from seasonal movement and if there's ever a counter change (usually no the expensive ones-stone/corian/quartz, but laminate for instance) it will be possible to remove and redo w/o changing / damaging the splash.
At the range you could also just do a feature-switch to a different tile/diagonal/something-w/o the vertical run.
13ft with a qtr inch drop isn't much and easy to adjust to. Again, depending on tile size/shape-you should be able to fudge it w/o too much trouble. For a tile that drops that little bit-the plumb line at the end isn't going to be too hard to correct a few feet from a corner or an end. In a corner, cut to fit and no one will see it if there's not vertical joint close. If it's an inside corner and you're wrapping the splash around -you can cover that oddity with the other walls tile.
Was the above explanation easy enough to understand, or did I just confuse the shit outta you?
A quarter inch in 13 feet is darn near level. The eye won't detect the difference. There would generally be no problem in this case with setting the tile parallel to the counter rather than making them level. (In fact, if you're only doing one or two tile up then parallel would be preferred.)
Of course, when you have a situation like the two uneven counter tops then you need to improvise. Cutting off the tile on the high side is a reasonable approach, and you can do that whether you run the tile level or parallel generally. Or, as suggested, do some different tile pattern behind the range so that you can adjust the tile height without drawing attention to it.
One thing you need to consider is the top edge. If you're just going to run up to a bullnose then it doesn't matter much, but if you will be butting the tile into the bottom of a cabinet or some such you need to consider how that will work out.
As stated, you want to leave AT LEAST a grout line at the bottom, above the counter top, to allow it to be properly caulked.
(And if you have any further questions ask my wife -- she's the tile expert in our house.)