How to Finish Tile Edges on Backsplash
Written by Milan Jara on 23rd Aug 2022
From faux tin to real metal backsplashes, here’s how to finish tile edges on backsplash in residential and commercial kitchens and bathrooms.
There are several ways to edge a backsplash, depending on the material of the tiles. You may need to come up with a different approach if you used porcelain tile, subway tile, or ceramic tile with grout, but this post explores backsplash tile edging solutions for the various types of backsplash tiles you can buy from us.
From caulking to metal edging, here's how to finish tile edges on backsplash to keep grease and moisture from seeping through the space where the tiles meet other surfaces.
How to Finish Tile Edges on Tin Backsplash Through Caulking
Caulking is an easy and highly effective way to edge a solid or metal tin backsplash.
The one significant advantage of caulking after tile installation is its minimalist or simplistic approach. You don't have to add other materials like trims to cover the exposed tile edge, which may have a different color that doesn't match the tile, cabinets, or wall.
To finish an exposed edge or unfinished edge when using a solid tin tile backsplash, you need a syringe or caulking gun to apply uniform beads of clear silicone caulk along the perimeter of the backsplash and the places where the tiles overlap with one another.
You can wipe off the excess silicone caulk with a soft cloth before it dries to ensure the finished edge remains smooth and without gaps.
The caulk makes the metal edges of the backsplash watertight and prevents chipping or tearing of the tin metal tiles.
How to Finish Tile Edges on Faux Tin Backsplash Using Caulking
You can finish faux tin backsplash edges similarly as explained above by applying clear silicone caulk using a caulking gun or syringe.
How to Finish Tile Edges on Real Copper Backsplash Using Copper-Style Mold Trims
To finish tile edges on a solid metal copper backsplash, you can use our copper backsplash finishing molding trims (#EM1010cr) that you install using the nail-up method.
The copper backsplash trim comes in packs of two, each piece measuring 24 ⅜" in length and 3/8" in width.
The real copper backsplash molding is a J-channel type tile trim that snaps over the edge of low-profile copper tiles to seal off the transition between the tiles and the adjacent surface.
Since different batches of copper backsplash trims may have different colors or shades, buy about 15% more trim than you need to complete the project and take care of damaged or waste trims.
Our copper backsplash molding trims are available in different patterns, such as:
- Mini Stars
- Victorian
- Deco
- Bookends
- Papyrus
Quick note: The copper backsplash J-Channel molding trim tile works well with most of our solid copper tile backsplashes, except 0512 Gwen’s Cabin, because it has a smaller pattern than the trim tile and doesn't fit properly.
How to Finish Tile Edges on Metallic Tile Backsplashes Using Real Metal Trims
Besides the copper backsplashes explored above that require copper-style mold trims because of the color, you can finish the tile edges, of any other real-metal tile backsplashes using our real metal backsplash finishing molding trims.
The 24 ⅜" long backsplash mold trims serve multiple purposes, but people mainly use them to achieve a pattern or dot-dash-dot finish on solid metal backsplashes.
The real metal tile backsplash options compatible with our nail-up backsplash trims include our tin plated steel, stainless steel, aluminum and solid tin tile backsplashes. These trims are available in different patterns, such as:
- Roman Shield
- Eaton Square
- Bookends
- Deco
- Victorian
- Diamond
- Lafayette
- Black-eyed Susans
- Mini Stars
- Byzantium
- Papyrus
To install simple metal edging or metal trim along the exposed edge of real metal tiles, you only have to open the soft lip of the trim slightly. Slip the trim so the tiles lay along the channel, and apply gentle pressure along the lip to close the gap.
Closing Thoughts
To install simple metal edging or metal trim along the exposed edge of real metal tiles, you only have to open the soft lip of the trim slightly. Slip the trim so the tiles lay along the channel, and apply gentle pressure along the lip to close the gap.
If you find installing and edging a backsplash challenging, you can always get help from a professional backsplash installer.
