Tile edging / trim

[JS2004]

Hi guys,

Once again I return seeking guidance :)

I have 2 threads now charting the revamp of my bathroom covering ripping it all out, laying a travertine floor, installing a new bath suite, rad, wall tiles etc.

Along the way I have had a few mistakes, given that this is the first time I have ever done DIY. These were caught quick enough and rectified for the most part.

I am onto the finishing touches now and about to try and install a tile trim that I had bought - however looking at it I have realised that I was a plank during the tile installation, as it appears it should have been installed at the same time as my top row of tiles (boo).

The top row of tiles is met by a skimmed wall which was done after the tiles were in place (had trouble getting the plasterer in and the tiles needed to be done asap). The result is that the top row of tiles meets a nicely plastered and painted wall.

What I now want to do is install the trim, but as the tiles are already in place and removing them is not an option I am a bit stuck. The tile trim itself 'Tile Bank' has a lip, which I now realise should have gone behind that top row of tiles into the adhesive.

Would you guys have any suggestions to best fit this tile trim? I can supply pics if they would help. I have attempted to cut the plastic lip off of one piece leaving just the curved part that meets the wall and the tile but I am not sure how best to secure this in place.

Would silicone sealant be an option, or should I opt for grout, and then whilst it is setting, place the tile trim where I want it to be and try to secure it in place?

Thats the only way I can think around it but I am sure I am missing something..

Cheers :)

[haveagohero]

In short, you are going to have a nightmare with this! the best best may be to use some 1/4 round bulnose upvc type trim which can be dropped on top of the tiles and stuck on. Other than this you will have to try and scrape the adhesive out from behind the tiles with a stanley blade or a hacksaw blade so the lip on the trim will drop behind the tiles. The problem with cutting the lip off the trim and sticking it on will be that it will probably end up falling off or that you cant get your mitres to match up properly

[wine~o]

Could try a bosch pmf 180 or similar to rake out the addy then insert the tile trim witha bit of addy...


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-PMF-180-M ... B000WQOXV4

Not a recommendation for that website BTW..

[JS2004]

Ack - I suspected that might be the case.

So the lips main function is to actually hold the edging in place.

The vast majority of the bathroom is finished by complete tiles, so there are only 3 areas where the edges of cut tiles are exposed - this is 3 areas around the window sills and one above the door out of view.

Would mixing up some grout and trying to make it look like I meant to grout the top of the tiles to the wall with some sort of smoothing tool (similar to a bath bead?) work.. or would there be issues caused by that?

I was also considering trying to get some wooden trim and tacking it into the wall, then painting it.

Am I correct in thinking the tile edging is for visual appearance only and to hide unsightly cut edges - or does it actually serve a purpose?

If at all possible I want to avoid trying to strip out adhesive behind the tiles - knowing my luck ill crack one and I dong have access to spares.

Cheers :)

[haveagohero]

The trim is only for show so you can use anything that will tidy the cut edges up. I wouldn't use grout though, it would pobably end up looking messy. your idea of trim is the best but maybe something already finished, plastic, metal etc?