Tile Wainscoting Cap And Molding Ideas To Complete Your Bathroom
Sometimes it is the small details in a remodel - like choosing your cap molding for a tile wainscoting in your bathroom - that can feel the hardest!
I can personally attest to this very fact as I was planning my own bathroom design.
Choosing the floor and wall tile was a breeze because I have a love for herringbone and always knew I would do that on the floors.
The natural choice for the bathroom’s tile wainscoting was a subway tile, in this case a large format subway tile in a 4” x 16” size, because it would complement the style of the floor and the size of the tile in the rest of the space.
Then came the tricky part - how to perfectly cap off that beautiful tile wainscoting and complete the look of the room.
As I searched through my options it occurred to me that there were others out there who were looking for the same ideas that I was.
Below I will share some ideas with you to help you find the best fit for your bathroom style - and soon I will also reveal what I chose for my own bathroom cap molding!
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What Is A Wainscoting Cap Or Molding?
Because the tile wainscoting comes only half way up the wall, if left unfinished, there would be a raw tile edge exposed along the top all the way around the room.
To give the wainscoting a polished look something with a finished top side needs to be used.
The pieces that are used along that top unfinished edge would be considered the cap for the wainscoting.
There are different types of materials and molding that can serve as the top for the wainscoting and each has their own style and benefits.
Types Of Wainscoting Caps And Moldings:
1. Tile Chair Rail Molding For A Wainscoting Cap -
Cost: $$$
Tile chair rail molding mimics the looks and profiles of chair rail trim you would see in wood used throughout other areas of your home.
There are a variety of profiles that range from simple to ornate to fit the design of the space you’re creating.
Tile chair rail is an ideal way to add dimension and a high-end luxury look to a bathroom wainscoting.
Tile chair rail moldings come in a wide variety of materials, from marbles and limestones to ceramic options.
These tend to be a more expensive finishing option, as they are often quite substantial and decorative.
It is important to note that they are almost always sold by the piece, not by the square foot as other tile you would order for your floors or walls.
2. Tile Pencil Trim For A Wainscoting Cap -
Cost: $$
Tile pencil trim gets it’s name from the fact that it looks like a pencil. These pencil trim moldings almost exclusively come in 12” lengths and are sold per piece and not by the square foot, similar to the tile chair rail molding.
Using a pencil trim to cap your tile wainscoting is a more simple look than chair rail but still a great way to dress it up and add a beautiful finishing touch.
Pencil trim come in a variety of materials from ceramic to glass and marbles, but when looking for finishing pieces to use as a cap, you will have to steer clear of ceramics.
Ceramic pencil trim do not come with finished sides and are usually meant to be used between tile when creating a design, not as a cap.
3. Bullnose Tile For A Wainscoting Cap -
Cost: $
Bullnose tile is a piece that will have a finished rounded or beveled edge on one side that can act as a cap for your wainscoting.
If you’re interested in bullnose as your cap for your wainscoting, you’re going to want to select a tile that has a corresponding bullnose option within the family of tile.
Finding a match is not too difficult if you plan to use a subway tile or other ceramic wall tile because most will have a bullnose option that will work.
It gets trickier when using natural stone as there are fewer bullnose options offered for marble and stone tiles.
Bullnose tiles are a traditional way to cap a wainscoting as they come in a variety of styles, sizes, and shapes to allow flexibility in your use.
They are less expensive than the above tile molding cap options, but each piece will be more expensive than a standard tile from the same family.
4. Metal Finishing Pieces For A Wainscoting Cap -
Cost: $
Using metal finishing pieces as a cap for a wainscoting is a simple and contemporary way to create a finished edge.
These metal pieces have a variety of profiles to choose from as well as metal finishes from metallic to powder coated color finishes.
They are easy to coordinate with the metal finish through the bathroom, or can come in a powder coated color to blend into the tile and grout for a seamless design.
These pieces come in 8 foot lengths to be cut as needed for the space.
Metal edge trim pieces are one of the least expensive options for a wainscoting cap and are also relatively easy to install.
Conclusion
Including a cap or molding is a really important way to complete your wainscoting with a look that will complement the design of your bathroom. Each cap and molding style has it’s own unique style but all offer the benefit of creating a beautiful finished result! I hope these ideas helped you discover the perfect option for your own home. I can’t wait to share my choice with all of you soon!
Now I want to hear from you - Which style of tile cap or molding do you like the most? Why does it appeal to you? Let me know in the comments below!
