Tile trim when not a corner

Participant · 15 Mar 2014 at 19:44

Hi all

I'm doing a small tiling job in our downstairs toilet to replace the old black ones that were there before. I've got some 8mm tile trim, but my question is about where the tile trim should ideally go and how I should fit it.

Here's the tiling area:

I was thinking about laying the trim as per the red line in the photo above, with the black lines showing joins. The flat part of the trim would be adhered to the vertical wall as opposed to the window sill...whaddya reckon? And should I add trim to the bottom horizontal underneath the sink?

I've done some tiling before but didn't do a brilliant job of the trim part and am not sure what the accepted practice is for when tiles finish in the middle of a wall.

Another question: is there some trick to the 45 degree join where vertical trim meets horizontal? Or is it just a case of cutting it with a sharp Stanley knife blade?

Many thanks

.

itchy · 15 Mar 2014 at 20:23

You need a miter saw to cut the 45 angles neat or an adjustable angle square and hack it with a stanley.

Underneath just use silicone or caulk you wont see it.

wazza300 · 15 Mar 2014 at 20:24

+1 ^^ mitre cut (get a mitre block) I used a small fret saw to cut mine

leave the edge of the tiles with no adhesive,then you can apply some to each trim strip and slide it in behind the tiles later

EDIT: yh do at the bottom of the tile aswell,it'll look much neater

Participant · 16 Mar 2014 at 18:09

Cheers guys. Had a crack at this today. Looks all right I think.

Grouting tomorrow. I wanted to do it today, but the adhesive said to let it go off for 24hrs before grouting.

wazza300 · 16 Mar 2014 at 19:22

looks good

haaammit · 16 Mar 2014 at 20:39

I would have personally not bothered with the trim anywhere on it tbh and would just leave the bound tile edges on the edge and stretched the joints to make the tiles end up parallel with the window, but that looks neat enough.

WillyNelson · 17 Mar 2014 at 15:46

I've a total aversion to trim edging tiles, especially after our last kitchen refit where the tiler did a perfect job of finishing the edges with just a beautifully grouted line over the adhesive.

Tinders · 17 Mar 2014 at 16:10

WillyNelson said:
I've a total aversion to trim edging tiles, especially after our last kitchen refit where the tiler did a perfect job of finishing the edges with just a beautifully grouted line over the adhesive.

Got any pics?

WillyNelson · 17 Mar 2014 at 16:47

Well I sold that flat 3 years ago but I could possibly find a pic.

Fished from FB but you can just see the edge of the tiling behind the cooker to the far left of the pic. Unhelpful but a nice excuse to see a pic of that kitchen.

Participant · 17 Mar 2014 at 22:31

Hmm, personally, whenever I see tiles without trim, I assume it was a lazy bodge, no matter how neat the grout line.

Anyway, I grouted this evening and have just finished up by getting the sink back on and siliconing.

As always seems to be the way with these things, it wasn't as quick as I thought it would be tonight. The sink waste just kept on leaking until I finally noticed that the gasket had perished! Luckily I had a spare one.

All that remains is to polish the tiles again once the grout has dried entirely. Thanks for the input. I hate tiling

. Even basic jobs like these seem to take me far too long.

Tinders · 18 Mar 2014 at 14:59

I prefer the trim look, but with yours i would have used smaller size trim and a cream colour one.

Participant · 18 Mar 2014 at 15:11

Tinders said:
smaller size trim

? Not sure what you're referring to here, that trim is the only size I've ever seen I think in width terms.

Jez · 18 Mar 2014 at 15:18

I'll echo above, i never use tile trim. I think it looks a lot neater simply grouting the tile edges.

This is what he will mean re thinner trim (it would usually cover the whole depth of the tile though, i am not sure what is going on in this pic): http://www.biztrademarket.com/User/196386/bb/sell-aluminium-tile-trim_wlz.jpg

wazza300 · 18 Mar 2014 at 15:25

the width depends on the depth of the tile,it has to fit inside the trim slightly

trouble with grouting the tiles edges is it crumbles over time with water splashes ect

Tinders · 18 Mar 2014 at 15:30

Participant said:
? Not sure what you're referring to here, that trim is the only size I've ever seen I think in width terms.

My local tile place has varying thicknesses or tile trims, and different designs, That just seems a large size trim, but it could be the angle the photo was taken at.

Participant · 18 Mar 2014 at 21:47

wazza300 said:
the width depends on the depth of the tile,it has to fit inside the trim slightly

That's the depth, not the width. You said it yourself

.

Width wise, I've only ever seen standard like mine or thin like what Jez posted, so since Tinders hasn't said whether what Jez posted is what he's talking about, I still don't know what he's referring to.

mattyg · 18 Mar 2014 at 22:10

I've used a brushed steel trim to good effect. Hides the edges of the tiles nicely

haaammit · 19 Mar 2014 at 09:37

wazza300 said:
the width depends on the depth of the tile,it has to fit inside the trim slightly

trouble with grouting the tiles edges is it crumbles over time with water splashes ect

Not if you use the correct grout it doesn't

Pabl0 · 19 Mar 2014 at 17:16

I also have an aversion for tile trim, i always grout the edges but it all depends on what the customer wants.

Ronty · 19 Mar 2014 at 18:43

Most ceramic tiles need a trim as the edges wont be glazed and you'll see the brown/red/peach biscuit of the tiles even after grouting, unless the grout is a similar colour of course.

Porcelain, travertine or any natural stone are better without trims as long as its cut with a wet cutter as it gives a great clean edge.