Tile Trims

Tile trim finishes an exposed tile edge. It is a small cost that makes the difference between a tiling job that looks professional and one that does not.

Why bother

A cut tile edge is sharp, chips easily and shows the tile body. Trim covers it, protects the corner from knocks and gives a clean line. On an external corner it is genuinely functional rather than cosmetic — an unprotected tiled corner will chip.

Choosing a profile

• Straight edge — a square finish where tiling stops partway up a wall.
• Quadrant or round edge — a softer curved profile, easier on the eye and on shins at low level.
• Internal corner — where two tiled walls meet, giving a neat junction instead of relying on grout.

Match the depth to the tile

Trim is sized to tile thickness — commonly 6mm, 8mm, 10mm and 12mm. Measure your tile before ordering. Trim that is too shallow leaves the tile proud; too deep and it stands above the surface. Neither can be disguised.

Fitting

Trim beds into the adhesive as you tile, not afterwards. Plan where it goes before you start.

See also tile adhesive and grout.