Product category:
Floors
News Release from: Schluter-Systems | Subject: Tile Edge Protection
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 29 October 2003
How To Provide Decorative Tile Edge
Protection
World market-leader in complete tiling solutions, looks at how to provide decorative edge protection which will not only make the refurbishment look good, but keep it looking good.
The outside edges of tiled corners -- indeed, any exposed edge of a tiled surface -- can often look unattractive and become damaged IAN KNIFTON, Technical Manager for Schluter-Systems Ltd, world market-leader in complete tiling solutions, looks at how to provide decorative edge protection which will not only make the refurbishment look good, but keep it looking good
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 11 Apr 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Q : The exposed edges of tiled windowsills and outer corners of tiled walls in bathrooms can often look unsightly.
What can I do to make them look better in a bathroom refurbishment job I'm doing shortly for a customer? A: Many tiles on the market today don't have a glazed, finished edge, which means it's very unattractive when it forms an outer corner on a wall or windowsills.
A special profile providing decorative edge protection is the easiest and most economical way of overcoming this, to make the finished refurbishment look better.
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Stone floor cracking or debonding from substrate
Ian Knifton, Technical Manager at Schluter - Systems, says very often stone floors crack or debond because installers have not fitted an uncoupling membrane, or movement joints correctly
Also, exposed edges are prone to being cracked or chipped by heavy objects, or by being hit with vacuum cleaners.
These specially engineered profiles protect the edge of the tile from such damage, so they serve a dual purpose -- to protect the tiles, and to give the installation an attractive finish.
Q: Do they have to be fitted at the same time that the refurbishment is carried out, or can they be fitted afterwards -- particularly if the tile edges have become damaged? A: Ideally, at the same time as the tiling, because the anchoring legs will actually go underneath the tiles to give a better finish.
But some profiles are specially designed to cover part of the tile itself, which will prevent future damage, as well as masking any damage that may have already been caused.
Q: How many different types are there? A: There's a vast range, catering for all requirements, but the most popular ones are the round-edge profile and square-edge profile.
Certain ones are resistant to chemicals; others are specifically engineered to accept mechanical stresses.
Generally, aluminium and PVC ranges are ideal for domestic and light commercial use, with heavy duty brass and stainless steel needed for commercial and industrial applications.
Because the suitability of a proposed type of profile must be verified, based on the anticipated chemical contact, and mechanical and other types of stresses and loads, manufacturers will advise which particular profile is right for any individual installation.
Q: How easy are they to install? A: The actual step-by-step installation techniques vary depending on which profile is used.
But generally, with the ones fitted at the same time as the installation is carried out, the anchoring legs simply lock into the tile adhesive beneath the tiles.
Appropriate tile adhesive is applied to areas where the anchoring legs will be placed, and the legs are then pressed into position and aligned.
Additional adhesive is trowelled over those anchors, and then the adjoining tiles are fitted.
To eliminate the need to mitre its round edge profiles at corners, Schluter produces internal and external corner pieces.
These are easily fitted and positioned even if the corner is not exactly 90 degrees.
Profiles retro-fitted to existing installations are fixed with silicone or a similar adhesive.
The profile is pressed directly on to the tiled surface, covering damaged corners so they don't have to be replaced.
Q: If no-one specifies wall edge profiles on jobs I'm doing, should I still suggest that they're used? A: Definitely.
Most architects are well aware of protection profiles, and at Schluter we're regularly involved in specification both for commercial and residential refurbishments.
However, at the end of the day in most cases, it does tend to be the builder who decides what, if anything, is put on to the edge of a tiled surface.
No-one wants to see cracked or chipped tiles which need to be replaced, so prove to customers how edge profiles will make the installation look better, and stay looking better.
It may be worthwhile having a few photographs of damaged tile edges to show customers what happens without them.
And, of course, using these profiles will earn the builder a little more money from each refurbishment.
Q: Where can I get them from? A: Most edge profiles are available from a wide selection of places such as tile distributors and builders merchants.
One thing to remember, though, is that, as with most things, you get what you pay for.
So a cheaper trim won't be as hard-wearing or UV resistant as a trim that costs a few pence more. Request a free brochure from Schluter-Systems ...
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