Troyer Construction LLC
Lic 172073
Kitchen Tile Projects
Tile Countertops
Laminated and Bullnosed Countertop Edges
Bullnose tile is just a fancy way of saying tile with a rounded edge used for visible edges on backsplash tile, countertop tile, niche tile, base trim tile, and whatever other edges there are. Polishing is what we do to erase the scratch marks caused by cutting tiles with a tile saw. Most natural stone can be bullnosed and polished. Some ceramic and porcelain tiles have "bullnose tile" options.
Countertop Tile is not what we see as often as we see slabs. We do not do slab work, but countertop tile that has a bullnose edge that has been laminated is something we have only had to do three times. It is so labor intensive that we recommend our tile customers use slabs instead.
It may sound strange to try to not get customers to use our laminating and polishing services, but we really do try to be up front with what services we offer and what services we don't actually recommend.
That is just for laminating tile to make the countertop tile look thicker than it is. Our bullnosing services can still be valuable if you want a a rounded tile for the sake of non-sharp tile edges for your kitchen or bathroom tile countertop.
I have done plenty of tile countertops with different edging options that I believe are more cost effective for our customers. See the pictures below for some of those tile countertop options.
V-cap Tile Countertop Edging
V-cap tile installation is pictured here to your right. You can use the same color of tile or use an accent tile. We had to cut the length of this v-cap tile several times to make the radius of the tile countertop work with the tile. You can tell the initial length of the v-cap tile by looking the length of the countertop.
While I myself am not a huge fan of the tile countertop, when going for a retro or dated look- to match the general feel of the house- tile countertops do occasionally have their place.
For my own satisfaction I want to note here that the thicker line in the showcased picture is pencil trim tile... not a thick grout joint....
As much as I am not a huge fan of tile countertops, I do prefer tile edging to wood edging when it comes to the actual countertop tile installation. I believe it cleans easier and is the more sanitary option. If you are having an internal debate, it comes to this: wood countertop trim installation is likely cheaper and faster than a v-cap tile edge installation. V-cap tile may be more spendy, but it doesn't splinter and is one way to have a nice clean rounded edge on a countertop. Wood can be more quickly repaired... but it can also be more readily damaged. Wood will fade faster over time than tile. There's not much else to say. We have it here for an option... not to sell you on it.
Self- Edge Tile Countertops
Self edge countertop is a term we use to say that the tile used to tile the countertop is the same tile used to be the front edge or visible face of the countertop. It is the most common edging we do where tile countertops are concerned.
As you can see in the pictures to right, the top tile is bullnosed and polished so that there is no grout joint on the top edge of the countertop. We can really only do that with natural stone tile countertops- not ceramic or porcelain. However, porcelain and ceramic tile do sometimes have bullnose tile edging you can use for a similar effect.
If you are not a huge fan of tile countertops because of the grout joints, but are scared off by granite slab pricing, be aware that there are larger format tile that can span the depth of your countertop so that you really only end up with a handful of grout joints for easier cleanup.
Also if you are worried about grout joints, be aware that there is grout and sealer out there that have superior stain resistance to cement grout. Epoxy and polyurethane grout are great for many kitchen countertop tile applications. Stain-proof (formerly DryTreat) Sealer is the best I know of for stone penetration and sealing.
Tile Backsplashes
Mosaic Mesh-Mat Backsplashes
Mosaic Tile Backsplashes can be of one material such as stone tile or glass tile, or they can be "mixed mosaic tile" which is composed of perhaps both glass tile and stone tile.
Mosaic tile also comes in various shapes, sizes and patterns. There are circle or "penny tile", square 1x1" or 2 x2" tile, brick pattern mosaic tiles and even herringbone pattern mosaic tile.
It can make choosing a backsplash tile a bit overwhelming, but I personally believe that is part of the fun of personalizing your kitchen tile backsplash. How boring would it be if every kitchen tile backsplash was the same? Bah!!
Subway tile kitchen backsplashes seem like they would be the most basic of kitchen tile installations, but I find them to be one of the most diverse and versatile of the kitchen tile backsplashes that I have installed. It is true that they are most commonly installed in a subway pattern, but I have seen subway tile installed vertically behind kitchen elements like the stove as well as when forming an end-cap or border). It is often more common to see eyelines or design lines added to a subway tile kitchen backsplash than just about any other tile that we do (exception being the 4x4 kitchen backsplashes which also commonly sport an eyeline). I am guessing that is because the mosaic tile kitchen backsplashes are "busy" enough.
When there are multiple patterns involved in a backsplash, the hours for installation can add up. In the picture to the right there are 4 patterns (don't miss the inset accent tile). It may seem simple enough, but each added pattern adds a variable to the layout. Things to be considered are the following: how are the top and bottom edges going to look; what pattern is going to be interrupted by sockets and where will that hit; how are the countertop end tiles going to look; where will the accent tile look most natural; etc.... So in the example to the right, the bottom 2 patterns seem fairly straight forward, but the bottom tile might need to have been trimmed if the diagonal tile wouldn't fit right otherwise.
One thing I love about natural stone kitchen backsplashes is that they can be so versatile in color like this slate backsplash or can be so similar but muted like some of the travertine backsplashes we have done.
Another cool thing about natural stone tile is that it can "border" itself meaning the tile itself can be bullnosed and polished for a natural looking rounded edge and/or the natural stone tile can be cut to a different size to add a design element to the kitchen backsplash without changing any color scheme.
Can you find the 3 different border designs in the picture to the right? I'll give you a hint... don't miss the accent border tile of the stove hood vent area....
Subway Tile Backsplashes
Multi-Pattern Backsplashes
I don't believe I have seen any mosaic tile larger than 2x2. Once you have a bigger tile than that, it is often just individual tile rather than a 12x12(ish) mosaic tile mat.
In the pictures you will see tile longer than that, but they are only 1" tall. They may be 6+ inches long, but with that small of a tile it is vastly easier on the installer to have it on the mats.
Something to consider when ordering your mosaic tile for your kitchen backsplash is that some mosaic tile has a "repeating pattern" within the mat where you can use both halves or thirds of the mat over again. Others have no repeating pattern within then mat so you need to order more than just the square footage would seem needed.
There are many colors and style options with subway tile kitchen backsplashes. From glass 2x4 countertop backsplashes to ceramic 3x6 kitchen backsplashes, and even 2x6 natural stone kitchen tile projects. Subway tile generally refers to tile that is installed in a brick pattern at the middle of the tile- whether it is a tile kitchen backsplash or a bathroom floor subway tile. It is also generally smaller than 6" tall. Anything bigger than that is referred to by it's general tile length. The most common subway tile kitchen backsplash I see is a 2x4 tile.
Subway tile, like any other kitchen backsplash tile can be accentuated by an "accent grout"to view the grout joints better or it can be muted by a grout of similar color.
Adding different tile installation patterns using the same tile is a great way to add interest to a countertop backsplash without making it seem too busy. Imagine the picture to the left only having the one pattern (square set) (or diagonal for that matter). It would look fine, but it would lack some of the interest that the combined patterns give it, right?
Using a pencil trim to separate the two patterns (especially one that bulges) is the icing on the cake as far as the tile backsplash appeal goes. Sure you could get away without it, but I see it as a wonderful way to frame this type of countertop tile backsplash. The metal inset tile is more complicated than you'd think at first. Look at how each tile is cut.
Natural Stone Backsplashes
Unusual Backsplashes
Full Kitchen
Vanities and Backsplashes
