How to Trim Ceramic Tiles
The field tiles of any installation provide a beautiful effect but the trim tiles act as the icing on the cake. Adding trim tiles to the top, side, or bottom edges of tile installations puts the finishing touch on the entire project. Tile manufacturers design special tiles for trimming out field tiles. Some you install like regular field tiles, and with others you apply the mastic directly to the backs of the tiles to ensure good adhesion. Setting trim tiles is easy. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Bullnose tile
- Edge tile
- Base tile
- Double-bullnose base tile
- Quarter-round trim tile
- Mastic
- Thinset Mortar
- Trowel
- Spatula
Instructions
-
-
1
Add trim tiles (called bullnose tiles) to the top edge of a tiled wall that stops halfway or so up the wall. These tiles have one curved, glazed edge. To finish off the top edge of an installation of field tiles, face the curved, finish edge up. These trim tiles are set just like field tiles.
-
2
Set edge tile on the front-facing edge of a counter top. They are narrow, horizontal, double-bullnose tiles with two curved, glazed edges, one on the top and one on the bottom. The top of one curved edge is placed at the same height as an adjoining field tile to cover up its unglazed edge. This tile is set by back buttering the tile with a trowel or small spatula and pressing the tile against the face of the counter top to ensure good adhesion.
-
-
3
Set base tile at the bottom of a tiled wall where the wall meets the floor. Base tile has one edge that flares out. The flared-out edge is placed parallel to the floor, adjoining the floor. This gives the appearance of the base tile blending visually with the floor. A double-bullnose base tile is used to finish off all outside corners. One top edge and one side edge is curved. These are set by troweling on mortar to the back of each tile, raking grooves through it with the notched edge of the trowel and pressing the base tile against the wall. Be sure to leave a 1/8-inch gap between the bottom of the tile and the floor.
-
4
Set quarter-round trim tile in installations calling for decorative trim. Once the field tiles are set, the quarter-round trim tiles are back buttered with mortar or mastic before being pressed into place. Step back periodically to make sure the tiles are aligned properly with the field or edge tiles. Adjust the positions of the quarter round trim tiles if necessary before the mortar or mastic starts setting up.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Tiles are back buttered to make sure there is enough mortar or mastic applied to the back to properly support the tile, so if pressure is applied to it in the future, say from someone leaning against it, it won't crack.
