People always talk about horizontal spacing , but I never hear much about vertical. I'm installing 3X6 subway tile today in an area with a vertical spacing between the cabinet and the counter lip of 15 1/8". Should I be cutting a quarter inch off the tops and bottoms so I get three full tiles in the center and 3/4 of a tile at the top and bottom, or should I just start with full tiles at the bottom?
Tile – Vertical centering with a subway tile backsplash
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If you have access to the same tiles that you used, you could cut them to size (you may want to consider using a good cutter or wet saw). That way you can caulk the space in between the tile and the acrylic shower base. If you don't have any extra tiles or can't find any more of the same type, you could find a nice complementary looking small tile and install that instead.
Your idea is possible. It will take as you may know already, a custom metal fabricator who is certified, to build to insure all welds will hold up under the weight of the assembly, since it will weigh hundreds of pounds. Using aluminum to make the base, sealed bearings in proper housings for the pivots. Counterbalance filled with lead to ease its operation, and solution to help lower the door in place to keep it from slamming down, like a gas filled piston and rod, like a shock absorber. an aluminum mesh, spot welded in many places to give a way for the tile to bond to the plate that makes the face of the door, with a perimeter angle to dress up the edge so you do not see all the layers at the edge of the door. With all this done, it will need to be powder coated to keep the contact with cement based products separated, so it will not corrode. Your biggest problem will be with your counter balance. When the door raises, it will drop in front of the door. It may be better to use springs or electric lift mechanism, or hydraulics. I made a small sketch to see how it acts together with a counterbalance.
This is by no means a complete sketch, it is missing reinforcements, the hinge pivot is off,etc. Just a picture study on feasibility.
In my opinion a lift system like that is on the rear gates of SUV's is a good way to go, although, should one of them fail....
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Best Answer
This is verging on "close as opinion based," but I'd use a full tile on the bottom, since you rarely, if ever, see the top tile under the cabinet, unless you are just barely taller than counter height, or lying on the floor. The one just above the counter you see all the time if you are of normal height and standing/sitting.
I have also been known to choose a border/trim of a smaller tile to make less fussy cutting and an accent feature for short people or those lying on the floor.