You’ve chosen your tiles andyou‘re ready to tile the room, but have you thought about how you’re doing to finish off the edges? If you’ve read our other blogon‘MITRED TILING’ you’ll know thatthedevil’sin thedetails. Achieving a smooth transition around each corner and edge is key toleaving your room with a perfect finish!
However,mitring tile does require some experience. You want to make sure you make the cut correctly and don’t chipthetile.For analternative designaesthetic that canactually helpprotect your tile,you couldoptfor tile trim.
Trims are available in a large variety of colours, shapes and finishes. Read on todiscover which trim would be best for your projectand how to fit tiletrim toperfectly finish off yourinstallation.
WHAT IS TILE TRIM
Tile trimis used to finish the edges of a tiled area. It’s typically used in corners where, withoutan alternative such asmitring,youwill be left an exposed tile edge. This can be subject to damage and leave you with an unfinishedlook. Tile trim helps provide a perfect finish for your tiling job. It also helps cover sharp edges or corners that could become a hazard.
HOW TO CHOOSEYOURTILE TRIM
There are four main types of tile edge trim that can be used to finish the perimeter of yourinstallation. These include stone, plastic, metal,porcelain or ceramic trims.
If you are going to use a trim to finish your edges, we recommend matching thecolour and materialof the trim with the actual tile before youbegin installing.
It’s also important to notethe size and depth of trim you need.When choosing trim, match the depth of your trim to your tile, as this willleave it with a professional looking finish. When measuring this, you must account for the use of adhesive when laying your tile. Choosing a trim one size up from the depth of your tile is key!
For example, if your tile is 10mm thick, we suggest a 12.5mm trim to ensure a smooth fit andcleanfinish.
CALCULATINGHOW MUCH TILE TRIM YOU NEED
To make sure you have enough tile trim for your installation,it’s important to get the right measurement.In case your tile trim is bigger or smaller than the tiles you are using, measure the edge of your tiles surface and then divide that number by the width ofyour trim.
For example, the edge youare adding the trim tois500mm and the trim that you want is10mmlong. 500÷12.5=40
We usually recommendadding 10% to account for any accidental chipping or damaged tiles.If the number calculated isn’t a whole number, round up.
TYPES OF TILE TRIM
Tile trims come in plastic or metal strips in a variety of differentshapes and designs to choose from.You can matchthe colour of your trim with thetilefor a seamlesslook, orcreate a contrasting accent such as a metallic trim over acolouredceramictile.
Trim also come in a range of finishes. This provides versatile and alternativedesign opportunitiesto help you get thebestfinish.
There are also many different trim accessories to facilitate your installation.
Inside and Outside Corners
For areas where yourtile curves or meets a right angle.
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Connectors
ConnectorsRor a continuousand cleantrim finish.
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Endcapsor Corner Pieces
To give the edge a clean, water tight finish.
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Cornering
For tiling around areas such askitchen sinks.
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HOW TO CUT YOUR TILE TRIM
Cutting Your Trim
For certain areas of your project you may need to cut your trim to fit round the corner of a tile. For example, this may happen if you’re planning to trim around a window.In this case,you’ll want to create a frame of tile trim to sitaround the window’s lip.When you make your cuts, we advise cutting the corners at a 45-degreeangleso the separate pieces fit together nicely and leave a clean finish.
To cut your angles, place the trimon amitre blockand choose which angle to cut your trim.We recommend using a junior hacksaw or something similar.Using the assisted gaps, confirm the angle you want to cut your trim at.
Make sure to mark where the cut needs to be made andsaw though your trim. Remember tohold the trim steady andpressit firmly against the edge of your block toensure a clean cut.
Once you’ve made 2 cuts at opposingangles,test them against the tile, making sure both pieces of trim fit together correctly.
Bending TrimFinish
If, for example,you’retiling asmallarea such as a bathroom sink splashback and want to avoid any sharp edges, you may want to bend your trim around the tile rather than making separate cuts.
To do this, start by cutting your tileto size so it’s ready to be installed.Measure the trim along the line ofone of the exposed sides of the tile and markwhereit meets the corner. Then, using some trim snips, cutthe trimat twoopposing45-degree angles. It should look like you’ve cut an arroworupside-downV.
Next, simplyline up your trim again against the tile and bend the trim roundthe corner.Continue tomark and cut the trim where appropriate until you have a complete bending trim finish. And there you have it!
INSTALLING YOUR TILE TRIM
When it comes to installing your tile trim,mix your adhesive andusing anotched trowel. Apply your adhesive as you normally would, specifically to the area where youare going to apply your trim.
Thenpush your trim into the bed of the adhesive along the edge. Make sure the trim is held into the place with the adhesive.
Continue to lay your tile onto the surface,making sure toapply the adhesive to the back of the tileaswell before applying to the trim to ensure a strong bondbetween tile and trim.
If this is an area that’s likely to get wet, such as a shower niche, you will want to ensure that there is a 2mm gap between thetrim andthe tiled edge. Thiswill enable you toproperly groutthe space, making you tiles watertightand avoidingany addedrisk of water getting in-between your trim and tile.
