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How to tile around corners

BY READERS DIGEST

1st Jan 2015 Home & Garden

How to tile around corners

Tiling around corners sounds more difficult than it is; but with our quick and easy steps, there will be no need to call out a professional

Tiling is a popular way to add durability, style and texture to walls, floors, and other surfaces. However, when it comes to tiling around corners, it can be a challenging task even for experienced DIY enthusiasts.

"Tiling is a popular way to add durability, style and texture to walls, floors, and other surfaces"

Whether you're tiling a bathroom, kitchen or any other space, knowing how to tile around corners can make all the difference in the final look of your project. 

Internal corners

How to tile around corners - Tiler placing ceramic wall tile in position over adhesiveCredit: yunava1

1. Place all the whole tiles on both walls, either side of the corner.

2. Measure and cut a tile to fit the width of the gap to be filled. Butter the back with adhesive and press it into place with the cut edge facing into the corner.

tiling

3. When the adhesive has dried, seal the angle between the two walls with a flexible waterproof mastic. This will allow for a little wall movement over time. Use masking tape to protect the joint, apply the mastic, smooth it and peel off the tape once a skin has formed.

External corners

External corners should, ideally, start with whole tiles on each wall, though this is unlikely to be possible at a window rebate.

"External corners should, ideally, start with whole tiles on each wall"

Joins can be made by butting the tiles, using plastic corner trim or sticking on a strip of timber beading.

Butt joint

A simple overlapping butt joint works well if the corner is true and the tiles have glazed edges. Tile the less visible wall first, placing whole tiles flush with the corner. Then tile the other wall, overlapping these tiles to conceal the edges of those on the first wall.

Plastic corner trim

Coloured plastic or chrome corner trims will protect tiles on external corners from damage and give the edge a neat finish. You can use the trim along the edges of tiled doors and window recesses as well.

1. Tile one wall up to the corner. Push the perforated base of the trim into the tile adhesive on one corner so that the outer edge of the rounded trim lines up perfectly with the faces of the adjacent tiles.

tiling

2. Start tiling the second wall, easing each tile into the corner trim as you place it. Don't push it too hard— you don't want to dislodge the trim. When you have laid all the corner tiles, make sure the trim lines up with the tile faces on both walls.

tiling

A window recess

1. Tile the wall as far as the window, cutting tiles to fit. If you have to cut a tile to an L shape, cut a line from the edge to the centre of the tile using a tile saw, then score a line at right angles to the cut and snap off the unwanted piece. Use lengths of plastic edging strips designed for external corners to give the edges a neat finish.

2. Lay the tiles at the bottom of the recess first. Put any cut tiles nearest the window, with cut edges against the frame.

tiling

3. Line up the first course of tiles on the side walls with the tiles on the main wall.

tiling

Banner credit: yunava1

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