Trim for Your Tile

Trim for Your TileYour new tile installation won’t be complete until you choose the trim, borders and edgings. You can add excitement to the most standard subway tile installation by including a contrasting color trim or border. Edge the installation in a third color or in the main tile color. Here are some tips on choosing trim for your tile.

Using Trim, Borders and Edgings

You might think these items – trim, borders and edgings – apply only to certain situations but you can and should use them in all tiling situations. That means your floors, backsplashes, showers, walls, etc.

Floors

When tiling a floor with ceramic tiles, especially, use trim tiles to finish the installation. The trim hides the edges of the field tiles providing a finished look.

Walls and Showers

When tiling a wall in full or partially, the trim gets called the border or edging. These commonly come in a variety of shapes and patterns. Their use adds layout accents as well as function to create a seamless tile installation.

You’ll have two types of trim tile – surface and radius trim. Use surface trim on the same plane as the surrounding surface, but radius trim when the surrounding surface sits above the surrounding tiles.

Quick Tile Tips

You may think that getting a fashionable, finished look to your tiling installation means choosing appropriate colors and a snazzy design. It does not. There’s so much more to it as these tips will apprise you.

  • Choose trim tiles manufactured by the same company as the field tiles.
  • Use metal, PVC or wood to trim tiles, if you cannot find suitable trim made by the same manufacturer.
  • Plan the full layout in advance so you know where the trim tiles need to go.
  • Prepare your budget in advance, too, because some trim costs twice as much field tiles.

Trim Possibilities

Your installer won’t need to cut and shape your tiles for the borders or for an interior design. These tiles come in many configurations. For example, edge trim features one or two rounded edges that provide the finished edge for wall and countertop perimeters. The same trim works as flooring base tile.

Similarly, you can use wall trim anywhere you need full-size tile with no special edge treatment. Quarter round and out corner tiles provide countertops a smooth transition between the counter’s surface and its front edges. A V-cap edge tile features a lower leg cap that takes the place of a cut tile, facing countertop’s front edge.

Another type of tiles, radius trim forms the right-angled corner on walls. Its shape features a rounded lip at the tile’s edge. Your installer uses it when tiling over backerboard covering drywall.

Floors also have their special trim tiles – base tiles. These feature a base with a coved foot or bullnose.

Use accent and border tiles to add interest to any installation. Typically, border tiles are more narrow than the main tiles and add finish to an edge. Ceramic or glass accent tiles generally use a contrasting color, shape, size and/or texture.

In a pinch, your installer may need to use a masonry stone to cut and round the edges of a full-size tile. This occurs when the manufacturer of the tile does not make border or trim tiles.

Call The Grout Experts at 847-356-6928 to schedule a consultation. Visit our website The Grout Experts to learn more.

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