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I had a tile backsplash (mosaic tile of a herringbone pattern) installed in my kitchen. I wanted tile border to match and for the tile to wrap into the window above the sink. the way the corners look going into the window sill are not at all what I was expecting. The grout line ranges from 1/4" to 3/8" thick,

They told me that making a thinner grout line or a 90 degree angle would have exposed the inside color of the tile and the rough edge, but I think the way they did it looks pretty rough and chipped. When I asked them to fix it they added more grout and said that the only other thing they could do would be to rip it out. These are pictures after the additional grout -- How should they have done these corners? Can anything be done to fix this (short of ripping it off the wall)?

left side of window

Left side of window, from front

Right side of window

Right side of window, from front

TylerH
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TilePerson
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3 Answers3

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A professional with a good tile saw can miter cut the tiles to match at the corner just as the top trim piece was done.

Another alternative would be to add a piece of aluminium end cap to the tile for a more finished look. ( The end capping comes in a number of colors and sizes to fit most any tile, but usually is in an eight foot length.)

Tell the tiler to come back and miter the ends or add the cap.

RMDman
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You should be happy!

There is no "correct" way to do this. If you don't like the way this looks, you need to specify, and buy, something you do like. You could have chosen a different tile that has an available outside corner piece. Or you could buy a ceramic or metal or resin corner bead. Or you could wrap the marble window sill material up the wall and use its edge to butt against the tile. You can do anything.

But for what it's worth, I think this looks great. Beyond great. The attention to detail is stupendous, and even beyond the aesthetic, it makes me feel good to see something done so nicely. The herringbone pattern matches perfectly around the corner and the grout line is beautiful and unobtrusive. Wherever two materials meet, including the cabinet, the interface was done with thought and precision.

You have A LOT going on there, with the tile pattern, the marble window sill, the half wall, the pencil tile at the top. In my opinion adding yet another element would look like someone was trying too hard.

jay613
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No, you shouldn't be mad, unless you specified what kind of corner you wanted before it was done. Even then, count to ten before you holler.

The corner is straight, and this kind of outside corner is one of the most durable for corners. (But there's nothing wrong with asking for a different finish, like the ones RMDman mentions). Especially, it looks like the grout could be a bit smoother, but that's a matter of style.

Conrado
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