Tile edge trim is one of those things you probably don’t pay much attention to unless something goes wrong. Yet it has great potential to improve your floor’s appearance from top to bottom.
Tile edge trim is a thin strip of material placed along the edges of ceramic tiles. Its goal is to bring about homogeneity along the whole edge. This allows the tile to appear seamless, which makes it look better overall.
Although using a tile edge trim is optional, choosing the right type for your project is essential. If you’re looking for tile edge trim for commercial projects, you should consider using vinyl or acrylic tile edge trim options. These materials provide better protection against stains and scratches.
Factors to Consider to Ensure Appropriate Selection of Tile Edge Trim
[1] Pick a color that compliments the space of your area. When choosing tile edge trim, you need to ensure that it matches your tile’s color. You can find tile edge trim in many colors, including white, black, gray, and brown. White tile edge trim looks best when used with light-colored floors like beige or cream. Black tile edge trim works well with dark-colored floors like black or chocolate. Grey tile edge trim looks good with any kind of flooring. Brown tile edge trim complements all kinds of flooring.
Most often, homeowners match the tile’s color and texture, but trim also offers the chance for eye-catching accessories. Choose the alternative that will subtly enhance the tile for a traditional appearance. To be more inventive, you may blend several materials to give the space additional visual detail and depth.
[2] Make sure it doesn’t interfere with the tile. When selecting tile edge trim, you want to ensure that it doesn’t interfere with how your tile fits together. Tile edge trim shouldn’t cover up any gaps between tiles. In addition, it shouldn’t extend past the outer perimeter of the tile.
[3] Choose the proper trim size. Tile trim is available in various lengths and forms that may be combined to cover all of the uncovered corners of the new tiling. These shapes are sold to meet a variety of corners and curves. But every type of trim also comes in various sizes that represent the depth or thickness of the liners and end cap components.
The size you need depends on the height or thickness of the tile. Your tile design will seem crowded and ineffectual if the trim doesn’t fit properly since it won’t stay flat with the tile. Regrettably, it is not as simple as matching the production measurements of the tile to the proper trim size.
[4] Calculate the amount of trim required. Gauge the tile surface’s perimeter to ensure you don’t find out at the last minute that you bought excess or too little tile trim. By the trim’s breadth, divide the result. The quantity obtained is needed, but you need to add 10% more to the overall length to be safer.
[5] Choose the material. Tile trim is available in various materials like metal, plastic, and ceramic. The best decision will rely on how the various choices enhance the beauty of your tiles, the feasibility of your desired trim, and the area’s functions. A rust-proof material, such as ceramic or aluminum, is required if the trim will be placed in the kitchen or bathroom where it will be in contact with water. Stainless steel and other hardy materials are your best choice if it’s going to be in a highly used part of the home where it has to resist abrasion.
The Bottom Line
It’s critical that you comprehend the purpose of the trim before choosing the style you want. By concealing exposed edges, especially near edges, the trim—a type of molding—offers a clean visual transition and some defense against the dangers posed by sharp tile edges. Choosing the correct type of tile edge trim requires careful consideration because they both offer unique advantages. For example, square edge trims give a cleaner edge line than round edge trims. At the same time, round edge trims tend to require less material and produce a smoother finish.
