Tile trims provide a crisp finish to the edges of any tiled area. They're particularly useful for corners where, without the hard-to-achieve alternative of accurately mitring the tiles themselves, you'll be left with exposed tile edges.
How to Cut Tile Trim
It may be necessary to cut the trim for certain areas of your project. For instance, to achieve a professional finish around a window, create a frame of tile trim that will sit around the lip.
First, you'll need to measure the base and corners to be installed with tile trim to determine how much linear trim you will be need.
Cut the corners at a 45-degree angle so that the pieces of trim will fit exactly together. Place the trim in a mitre block, choose the correct angle, and cut carefully using a hacksaw with a new blade.
Always double check all your measurements. Remember - measure twice, cut once!
Take great care to mark exactly where the cut needs to be made and always hold the trim firmly against the edge of the mitre block - ideally using a clamp - throughout to ensure a clean cut. Once you’ve made two cuts at opposing angles, offer them against the tile, making sure that the pieces of trim fit together correctly.
If you do not need to mitre the trim, simply cut it at a 90° angle to the exact length required.
Choosing Your Tile Trim
If tiling walls, the first step when using trim is to decide if you'll be installing tile trim to just the base of the wall, or at the corners as well.
When installing trim to floor tiles, you should install trim on all your edges or to the edge where the tile meets another flooring material, often called a transition joint.
There are four main types of tile trim that can be used to finish the perimeter of an installation:
- plastic trim
- metal trim
- ceramic/porcelain trim
- stone trim
Plastic and metal trims are by far the most widely used, and are a favourite of the DIY tiler.
How to bend Tile Trim when needed
When tiling a small area such as a bathroom splashback, you may want to avoid potential sharp edges that can occur when lining up cut metal trim. An alternative is to bend the trim, rather than cut it.
Firstly, cut your trim to size so it is ready to be installed. Measure the trim along the line of one of the exposed sides of the tile and mark where it meets the corner. Then, using some sharp tin snips, cut the trim at two opposing 45-degree angles, effectively creating a V-shaped cut. You can then line up the trim and bend it round the corner of the tile.
Repeat this process at each successive corner to achieve a complete bent trim finish.
How To Install Tile Trim
To install tile trim, firstly mix your adhesive and then apply as normal using an appropriately-sized notched trowel to the area where your trim will be applied.
Push the trim into this bed of the adhesive, making sure that it's held in place. Then, continue to lay your tiles onto the surface, applying adhesive to the back of the tile to ensure a strong bond between tile and trim.
In areas prone to getting wet - such as a shower niche - make sure that there's a 2mm gap between the trim and the tile edge. This space should then be grouted to minimise the risk of water penetrating between tile and trim.
Follow a similar process to install tile trim around a bath. To ensure a perfect fit, always half fill the bath with water before fixing the trim, in case the bath moves during filling. Seal the gap between the bath and the wall with silicone before fitting the trim.
