Tiling Corners - alternative to trim

[Chris Curtis]

I have practically rebuilt our small en-suite so that my wheelchair user wife can access it OK. As I proceeded I became aware that the original was built by the local blind institute (which came as no surprise based on observations when refitting the bathroom!). I am faced with tiling an external corner and have bought some trim. However, since the edge is not quite vertical this is going to involve some very careful cutting and could be very time consuming. Does anyone know of an alternative to trim which could be placed over the edge thereby making the job much easier and also, as a bonus, affording some protection to the edge?

Thanks

Chris

[John]

It may be too late now but when tiling you are not supposed to start at a corner with a full tile for this very reason. Then any fluctuations in the wall will be taken out with cutting the tiles to suit. If a wall is running out of plumb and each end tile is a cut one the eye will not notice any slight variation but if you start with a full tile at the bottom and end up having to either cut a bit off each row, or worse still, put in a sliver it will be noticed and look s***e! Not wanting to teach your granny how to suck eggs but, if say the wall is 2.1m long and your tiles are 200mm wide including grout lines, then the wall width is 10 1/2 tiles wide. So I would start in the middle of the wall with a tile equidistant over the centre line and tile to the ends so you would finish with 3/4 of a tile at each end. This looks much better than a full tile at one end and a narrow bit at the other. Next time your in a pub toilet or similar have a look at how some 'professionals do it at each corner, full tile one end and a bit at the other. They do it this way for quickness but it only takes a few minutes to work out where to put your first tile and it does make a difference! I am not a professional tiler but I was 'shown the ropes' by one many years ago. He said to me "The most important tile on any wall is the first one you lay".

HTH

John

[Chris Curtis]

But I haven't started tiling this edge yet! And I learnt the error of starting with a full tile at the edge many years ago :) I'm wanting to avoid having to make 'angled' cuts. The tiles are 250 x 200 and frankly I'm struggling with the Plasplugs Diamond Saw. Reducing the width cut by, for instance, 1mm is proving very tedious because I can't seem to find a precise way of setting the guide. I've got away with it so far but there is no margin for error with the strips (or at least one face of them). In any case a metal 'facing' over the corner might look better and afford some protection from my wife's wheelchair!

Chris

[Chris Curtis]

I'm aware of all that! I learnt that lesson many years ago! I haven't tiled up to the edge yet! I'm wanting to avoid having to make 'angled' cuts. The tiles are 250 x 200 and frankly I'm struggling with the Plasplugs Diamond Saw where, for instance, I need to reduce a straight cut by 1mm. There isn't a precise way of setting the guide. I've got a way with it so far but it is very tedious and there won't be any margin of error with the strips (or at least one faceof them). The edging strips I have bought are Homelux and while one edge will 'fit' inside the other edge butts up against it. A design that covers both edges would be better. Does anyone know of a type? Ideally though, a metal facing over the corner might look better and afford some protection from my wife's wheelchair!

[F]

I think my Focus McKeller (sp?) saw is pretty much the same as yours and I've removed the guide. Just measure and draw a pencil line where you want the cut and make it freehand.

Measuring, drawing, cutting like this is as fast, if not faster, than resetting the guide each time.

Just keep your fingers away from the blade!

[Chris Curtis]

And wear a wet suit!

Chris

[Stuart Noble]

A good snap cutter is better for this kind of cut. Generally you're better positioning the trim, either by setting it in adhesive or by whacking a few pins in, and packing the tiles to suit. It means the adhesive will be thicker at the corner but it'll be straight.

[F]

Not in this weather - they're queuing up to 'cut a tile and keep cool'!

[Peter Johnson]

Why not get a 3m length of aluminium angle (and cut to length). It may look a little industrial but will certainly stand the wheelchair knocks.

[Chris Curtis]

That might be the sort of thing Peter. Where would I source that? Metal stockholders?

Chris

[Dave Fawthrop]

|>

|>>Ideally though, a metal facing over the corner might look better and |>>afford |>>some protection from my wife's wheelchair! |>>

|> Why not get a 3m length of aluminium angle (and cut to length). It may |> look a little industrial but will certainly stand the wheelchair |> knocks. | |That might be the sort of thing Peter. |Where would I source that? Metal stockholders?

B&Q had 1 inch Aluminium Angle, last time I looked. They are worth checking for the commoner aluminium/steel/brass sections.

[Dave]

Try