How to Fit Tile Trim: Choosing the Right Trim and Installation

So you’ve chosen your tiles and your ready to tile the room, but have you thought about how you’re doing to finish off the edges? If you’ve read out last blog on ‘MITRED TILING’ you’ll know that the devil’s in the detail, and achieving a smooth transition round each corner and edge is key to leave your room with a perfect finish! 

However, mitring tile it does require some experience to make sure you make the cut correctly and don’t chip the tile. For an alternative design and aesthetic option that can actually help protect your tile, you could opt for a tile trim.  

Trims are available in a large variety of colours, shapes and finishes and we’re here to help! To discover which trim could be the best for you and learn how to fit tile trim to perfectly finish off your installation, read on. 

WHAT IS TILE TRIM  

A tile trim is used to finish the edges of a tiled area, typically corners where without an alternative such as mitring you will be left an exposed tile edge, which can be subject to damage and generally leave you with an unfinished look. Tile trim helps to provide a perfect finish for your tiling job. Not only will it leave you with a professional finish, but it also helps to cover sharp edges or corners that could also become a hazard.  HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR TILE TRIM 

There are four main types of tile edge trim that can be used to finish the perimeter of your installation. These include stone trims, plastic, metal trims, porcelain or ceramic trim tiles. 

If you are going to use a trim to finish your edges, we recommend matching the colour and material trim with the actual tile before you begin installing.  

 It’s also important to note the size and depth of trim you need. When choosing your trim, it’s always beneficial to match the depth of your trim to your tile, as this will leave it with a professional looking finish. When measuring this, you must account for the use of adhesive when laying your tile, so 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 and clean finish. 2

CALCULATING HOW MUCH TRIM YOU NEED  

To make sure you have enough tile trim for your installation, it’s important to get the right measurement against the length of tile you’re using. 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 of your trim.  

 For example, the edge you are adding the trim is 500mm long & the trim that you want is 10mm long. 500 ÷ 12.5 = 40 tiles  

 We usually recommend adding 10% to account for any accidental chipping or damaged tiles. If the number calculated isn’t a whole number, round up.  TYPES OF TRIM  

Tile trims come in a plastic or metal strip in a variety of different shapes and designs to choose from. You can match the profile colour of your trim with the tile for a seamless look, or create a contrasting accent such as a metallic trim over a coloured ceramic tile. 

 They also come in a range of finishes, to provide a versatile and alternative design opportunities to help you get the best finish you want for the job. 

There are many different trim accessories to facilitate your installation:  Inside & Outside corners

for areas where you’re tile curves or meets a right-angle.   

for a continuous & clean trim finish.  

nnnn Endcaps or Corner Pieces

to give the edge a clean, water-tight finish. 

nnCornering 

for tiling around areas such as kitchen sinks. 

nnHOW TO CUT YOUR TILE TRIM  Cutting your trim   

For certain areas of your project you pay need to cut your trim to fit round a corner of the tile. For example if you’re planning to trim around a window. If so, you’ll want to create a frame of tile trim, to sit around the windows lip. So when you make your cuts, we advise cutting the corners at a 45-degree angle so the separate pieces fit together nicely and leave a clean finish. 

To cut your angles, place the trim in a mitre block and choose which angle to cut your trim. To cut, 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 and saw though your trim, remembering to hold the trim steady and press it firmly against the edge of your block to ensure a clean cut.  

Then once you’ve made 2 cuts at opposing angle cuts, offer them against the tile, making sure both pieces of trim fit together correctly.  Bending trim finish  

If, for example, if you’re tiling on a small area such as a bathroom sink splashback or you want to avoid any sharp edges when lining up your two points which can happen when cutting and lining metal trim, you may want to bend your trim around the tile rather than making separate cuts. 

 To do this, start by cutting your tile to size so it’s 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 trim snips, cut the trim at two opposing 45-degree angles (so it looks like you’ve cut an arrow or upside-down V). 

 Then simply line up your trim again against the tile and bend the trim round the corner of the tile. Continue to mark 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 & using a notched trowel, apply your adhesive as you normally would, specifically to the area where you are going to be applying your trim. 

Then push your trim into the bed of the adhesive, along the edge of your area, making sure the trim is held into the place with the adhesive.  

 Finally, continue to lay your tile onto the surface, making sure to apply the adhesive to the back of the tile as well before applying to the trim to ensure a strong bond between 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 the trim and the tiled edge. This will enable you to properly grout the space, ensuring they are more watertight and avoid any added risk of water getting in-between your trim and tile. 

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