Even a professional experienced craftsman When installing a bathtub, there remains a slight gap between it and the wall, let alone a novice craftsman who does the installation with his own hands.
The gap in this vulnerable spot occurs due to the curvature of the wall surface, a violation of the sequence of work, or uneven edges of the product itself. If the bathtub is tiled beautiful tiles, then a ceramic border for the bathroom will help to seal the joint, which will organically blend into the interior of the room. In this article we will tell you what a tiled corner is, how to choose it, and then install it.
Types of ceramic corners
A ceramic corner is a decorative element made from tiles of the same color and texture as the tiles, used to protect the joint between the bathtub and the wall from moisture penetration, which often causes dampness, unpleasant odors, or the spread of mold or mildew.
Professional craftsmen call this element a “fillet,” but this term is much less common. The border is selected to match the tiles used for wall cladding, so as not to destroy the integral appearance of the room. Distinguish the following types tiled fillets:
![](https://i0.wp.com/sovety-vannoy.ru/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/%D0%92%D0%B8%D0%B4%D1%8B-%D1%83%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2-%D0%9A%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9-%D1%83%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%BA-%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BF%D0%B0-%C2%AB%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1%88%C2%BB-600x293.jpg)
Pay attention! Typically, one tile collection includes a ceramic corner of 1-2 types. If you have chosen a tile that does not come with a special border, you can choose a border suitable color in other collections. As a last resort, you can make a corner yourself by cutting the tiles into strips 3-4 cm wide.
Advantages
It’s quite easy to choose a beautiful and high-quality ceramic corner for tiles, thanks to the extensive range. Professional masons strongly do not recommend using plastic borders to seal the joints between the bathtub and the wall if the room is decorated with tiles. The advantages of ceramic corners are:
![](https://i0.wp.com/sovety-vannoy.ru/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/%D0%94%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%B0-600x450.jpg)
Please note that it is not recommended to seal the joint between the tiles and the bathtub using a plastic border, which costs much less than a ceramic one, since due to the low porosity of the tile, it is problematic to securely fix such a border. In addition, the service life plastic products much less than the service life of the tiles.
Flaws
Ceramic corner – effective remedy eliminating the gap between the tiles and the bathtub, into which water flows and splashes when using the shower. However, the high cost of this element makes homeowners wonder whether fillets are really needed to decorate this room. The disadvantages of tiled borders are:
![](https://i0.wp.com/sovety-vannoy.ru/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/%D0%9D%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%BA%D0%B8-600x441.jpg)
Please note that when choosing a ceramic corner to seal the gap between the tile and the wall, you need to take into account the width of this element. It is important that the width of the curb exceeds the thickness of the gap by 2-3 cm.
Installation
Installation of the ceramic border is carried out after installing the bathtub and tiling the walls. For work use tile adhesive, silicone sealant with antibacterial additives, spatula and grout for joints. The work is performed in the following order:
![](https://i2.wp.com/sovety-vannoy.ru/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/%D0%9C%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%B6-%D0%BE%D1%87%D0%B8%D1%89%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5-%D1%81%D1%82%D1%8B%D0%BA%D0%B0-600x450.jpg)
Please note that the space between the joints is the most vulnerable place to moisture and mold, so it is recommended to use special moisture-resistant grout with antibacterial additives to fill it.
Video instructions
When carrying out renovations in the bathroom, even if you strictly follow the finishing technology, it is impossible to avoid gaps between the font and the wall. Their appearance may be a consequence uneven surface sides. If ordinary tiles are used as a finishing material, then a ceramic border must be used to eliminate gaps. It will not only hide the cracks, but also decorate the room.
If you decorated your bathroom yourself, selected expensive plumbing fixtures and used them to decorate the walls designer tiles, then using plastic border at finishing works, you will thereby harm the design of the room and reduce the cost of its appearance. To ensure that the interior elements are in harmony with each other and the appearance of the room is completed, it is worth choosing ceramic borders. Although they are more expensive and more complex to install, they have a positive impact on appearance bathroom, making the interior of this room more spectacular.
Features of ceramic bath borders
When purchasing tiles for wall cladding in a bathroom, you can usually get borders included with them. However, it often happens that they are not included in the package. In this case you have to purchase them separately. When choosing them in a store, you should pay attention to the color and texture of the tiles.
When choosing a ceramic border, you need to focus on the color of the tiles that the owner will use to decorate the bathroom, as well as the texture of this material. By following these recommendations, you can hide the gaps between the wall and the font, and in addition, give an original look to the main decoration of this room - the bathtub. U decorative corners has its advantages, from which you should know:
- high strength characteristics;
- long service life;
- spectacular look;
- resistance to temperature changes;
- environmental safety material.
It must be said that for decorative skirting boards, as for anyone decorative element, characterized by certain disadvantages. The most significant among them are the following:
- in comparison with plastic corners, the cost of a ceramic border is quite high;
- The installation work of these decorative elements is highly complex and requires a lot of time.
If you are during repair work In the bathroom, you decide to decorate the font with a border, then you should know that when installing it, tile adhesive is used, which hardens when hardened and is not elastic. If the installation of curbs is performed on the surface acrylic bathtub, which expands when heated, then in this case the base may not be able to cope with the increased load and a crack will appear on the element. As a result of this there will be the seal is broken.
The ceramic corner also has one more drawback that you should be aware of. It lies in the fact that if accidentally hit by a heavy object, this decorative element may burst or a chip may form on its surface. Of course, if the installation of the plinth is done with high quality, then it acquires high resistance to impacts, but still does not lose its fragility.
Types of ceramic bath borders
Manufacturers of finishing materials are constantly expanding the range of products offered, improving them and increasing their performance characteristics. IN present moment can be purchased on the market various types ceramic corner, which have wide possibilities by application. If we talk about ceramic borders for the bathroom, then based on such a criterion as appearance, they can be divided into three main types:
![](https://i2.wp.com/stoki.guru/images/55010/nakleit-lenta-bordjur-vanny-keramika-.jpg)
It is worth saying that ceramic corners, regardless of their type, have a universal design. Their installation can be done either on your own finishing material, and under it.
When you picked for yourself in the store suitable model corner, then it is necessary prepare the surface for its installation and decide on the tools that will be used to secure the borders in your bathroom.
Preparation for installation
To ensure that the work of installing decorative corners in your bathroom goes quickly and you are pleased with the result, you need to prepare in advance all the materials and tools that you will need during the installation of these elements.
Materials and tools
Without correct selection tools and materials quality results cannot be guaranteed.
- sealant. It is advisable to use a composition containing antifungal additives during work;
- ceramic corners in sufficient quantity. It is advisable to purchase a little more than you need, since when performing work you can accidentally damage several elements;
- tile adhesive;
- notched and flat spatula;
- emery block;
- Bulgarian with cutting disc for stone.
During work, not all of the prepared tools may be needed. But if you are installing a ceramic border with your own hands for the first time, and you have no experience in carrying it out, then you should prepare all the tools.
If during your search you did not find a ceramic corner that matches the color and texture, then in this case you should choose ceramic border white , since this shade is universal and harmonizes perfectly with absolutely any design.
How to calculate the required amount of corner
Before you go to the store and buy a border, you need to calculate the required quantity for the work. When calculating it is necessary refer to the following diagram:
![](https://i1.wp.com/stoki.guru/images/55011/kak-skryt-zazory-na-vanne.jpg)
Let's pay attention to one important point: It’s worth purchasing ceramic corners 3-4 pieces more than you need. It almost always happens that during trimming and adjusting the border, several pieces turn out to be damaged.
Installation of ceramic border
Before installing a ceramic border, it is necessary to carry out work to prepare the joint. It must be degreased and dried. You should use a home hair dryer for drying. After that everything is filled with sealant. If the width of the gap exceeds 5 mm, then you can refuse to use a sealing compound and opt for polyurethane foam.
While the sealant or polyurethane foam is hardening, you need to start preparing the glue that will fix the ceramic baseboard. When preparing the composition, you must follow the instructions on the glue package, which contains a recipe for preparing the composition. In order for the fixing of the decorative element to be of high quality, it is necessary that the finished glue has a consistency similar to thick sour cream.
During work, the first thing to do is laying a corner border, and then the installation of longitudinal elements is carried out from it.
It is worth saying that some time ago, when creating high-quality joints, craftsmen cut off the edges of the curb at an angle of 45 degrees, for which they usually resorted to using an angle grinder with a cutting disc. After that top part broke off using pliers. Next, it was fixed using adhesive composition. At the moment, this is not required for laying a ceramic border, since the corner blanks are already included in the kit, the use of which allows you to create a beautiful joint.
When laying ceramic borders one after another, it is necessary to adjust them to each other in such a way that the created ceramic profile around the perimeter of the bathtub looks monolithic. End joints should be hidden as much as possible. Any glue that appears at the corner joints should be removed immediately with a damp sponge or using a rag.
It is necessary to avoid the situation of its freezing. When all the ceramic borders are fixed, you need to wait until the glue settles. This usually takes 8-10 hours. Then the entire corner is thoroughly wetted, and then again you need to leave it until it dries completely. The need for wetting is due to the fact that it dries faster outer side ceramic border than the inner one. And this is undesirable, since the risk of microcracks is high.
Completion of work
When the ceramic border around the entire perimeter of the bathroom is completely dry, to ensure maximum aesthetics of this design, it is necessary to perform a few more steps. The seams between the tiles and the curb are sealed with sealant acrylic or silicone based. When doing this, you must be careful not to stain the tiles.
The ideal option is when the joints between the borders are covered with the same material that was used for the seams between tiles. But for this, before laying decorative borders, it is necessary to provide the same gap as between the tiles. This can be ensured if plastic crosses are used during installation of ceramic corners. In this case, the plinth will look perfect and will be no different from the tiles on the wall.
It should be remembered that the laid ceramic plinth takes on greatest number moisture, so when grouting it is necessary use a moisture-resistant composition with antifungal additives. Do not forget about choosing the color of the grout, which should match the design style of your room.
Alternative solution
An excellent solution could be a mosaic border in the bathroom, since when laying it out elements are used small size. Although such material costs more ordinary ceramic corners, but its use allows you to do the job efficiently, even if you don’t have great experience in this matter. Mosaic is also used if there are rounded lines. Using this material, you can repeat absolutely any circle.
Conclusion
If the surfaces in your bathroom are made of expensive material, then she will look just great. However, you must not forget about the design of the bath itself. Gaps often form between its sides and the wall, which disrupt the harmony of the interior. At the same time, it will help to decorate the bathroom decorative border
. You can purchase products in finishing materials stores various lengths With different colors and texture. A ceramic corner, selected to match the design of your bathroom, will allow you to decorate the bathroom and thus complete the design of this room.
Bathroom will turn into cozy room , in which the commission hygiene procedures will be a pleasant experience. Ceramic corners laid along the side of the bathtub will perform not only a decorative, but also a practical function - they will prevent the penetration of moisture into the cracks between the wall and the side of the bathtub.
Ceramic borders for bathtubs
After completing the main work, bathroom renovation moves into the stage of installing important elements, without which the overall picture will be incomplete. Such details include finishing with a border, otherwise it is called a plinth or a corner.
If the word border is not found on the package, but “ceramic fillet” is written, then you need to keep in mind that this is the professional name of the product.
Ceramic finishing will add stylistic completeness to the bathroom and emphasize the thoughtfulness of the interior design.
Varieties
Ceramic borders – quality product, strong and durable, representing a special corner for sealing the joint between the bathroom and the adjacent wall.
The warranty period is at least ten years. Modern hardware stores offer wide choice color palette and design, shape and configuration of ceramic borders, allowing you to choose the right format for any bathroom interior.
Manufacturers are striving to improve models of ceramic skirting boards to expand the scope of application and functionality.
Today, there are three main types:
Pencil
It is a thin and curved strip. On outside decorative texture. Borders are designed to handle narrow and long gaps, as well as visually delineate elements.
Corner
The most common type, representing a model for sealing joints with a medium-sized gap. Wide selection of designs, colors, decor. The facing tiles can come complete with a ceramic corner.
Frieze
A combined version of a tile and a corner, in the form of a kind of overlap to cover the joint. Unfortunately, it is less common than traditional forms.
The versatility of many modern borders is manifested in installation not only on the finishing material, but also on rough basis. Manufacturers have thought through elements for convenient, aesthetic and reliable joining of parts: stars for corners and plugs for edges.
- the most vulnerable to water ingress. Efforts to install the container end-to-end are useless; the appearance of a gap is inevitable. Sealing cracks to prevent the appearance of fungus and mold is the main task of curbs. High humidity due to the accumulation of dampness - a threat to all bathroom interior items, especially for metal parts plumbers.
Another task– providing an aesthetic appearance that allows you to visually evaluate the adjacent walls, sides and bathtub as a whole. Ceramic modules can become a design find in general style bathroom
Advantages and Disadvantages
Choosing ceramic modules means giving preference to quality and durability, since this is the main advantage, but there are others:
- Use in areas with wide gaps, where the use of other models is not possible.
- Specifications that do not allow reaction to humidity factors, temperature changes or cleaning compositions based on chemical reagents.
- High resistance to deformation from the external environment.
- Maintaining the primary appearance during the period of operation.
- Ecological cleanliness natural material.
- Possibility to choose from a single collection with finishing tiles.
- Wide range of colors, texture and decor.
The disadvantages include the following features:
- Low resistance impact force.
- Difficult to install.
- ABOUT relatively high cost products.
It is worth noting that with careful and careful handling, the purchase costs will quickly pay off, since there will be no need to replace or restore the ceramic corner for many years.
Characteristics and dimensions
![](https://i0.wp.com/househill.ru/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/samokleyshayasya-lenta.jpg)
What unites these varieties is the factor of temporality. The tape border is made of polyethylene and is easy to apply, but the rapid loss of functionality and appearance negates its advantages. Average term operation is one year.
The plastic corner is also easy to install, lasts longer, but loses its attractiveness: it turns yellow from dampness. The main disadvantage is that it does not guarantee the tightness of the joint. The presence of narrow cracks allows moisture to accumulate behind the bathtub with all its consequences.
Ceramic border will provide:
- Complete protection against moisture getting outside the bath.
- Maintaining appearance.
- Durability of use – from 30 to 50 years.
Before visiting a hardware store, you need to take measurements along the perimeter of the bathroom (2 or 3 sides) in order to calculate the number of ceramic elements needed to seal the joint. The resulting result will need to be divided by the length of one module and rounded towards a larger integer.
You need to buy 3-4 more pieces, since during installation, during the fitting process, rejected parts inevitably appear due to unforeseen situations.
The dimensions of pencil borders are usually 15 mm in width and 20 cm in length. Standard dimensions of a ceramic corner are: 20 cm for length, 5.5 cm for height and depth.
Installation
![](https://i1.wp.com/househill.ru/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/keram-bordur-pod-plitky.jpg)
It is customary to use two main methods for installing ceramic modules:
- Under the tiles. This method is applicable at the renovation stage, when the walls have not yet been tiled.
- On the tile. Installation is possible both before and after wall cladding; it is allowed as restoration work if necessary.
In shape, ceramic modules can be convex or concave, they can be included in the kit additional elements in the form of plugs for edges and junction corners.
Many people believe that the installation of a ceramic corner should be trusted to professionals. This the right decision, but if you wish and have experience, you can handle tiles yourself, subject to careful study of the technology.
To work you will need the following:
- material in the right quantity;
- tile adhesive, 1-2 kg;
- silicone sealant for waterproofing the gap, with antiseptic (50 ml tubes, 3 pcs.);
- polyurethane foam (for wide gaps between the wall and the bathroom);
- masking tape;
- spatula;
- emery block;
- pliers;
- Bulgarian:
- gun (may not be useful if the sealant is in a tube);
Step by step guide:
- Surface preparation. The walls and the bathtub need to be wiped, then the joint around the perimeter should be degreased and dried thoroughly.
- Apply a layer of sealant using a gun or from a tube, in an even layer. Use a spatula to even out the application line, remove excess with a sponge soaked in water. For wide gaps, the sealant can be replaced polyurethane foam. Possible voids should not be left so that water does not subsequently get there.
- Glue preparation. It is recommended to strictly follow the instructions. The glue should have a consistency similar to thick sour cream; it should not slide off the spatula.
- If the border elements could not be prepared in advance, then this stage needs to be made up. If necessary, you need to prepare modules cut at an angle of 45 degrees. This can be done with a grinder or pliers. The cut line should be sanded with an emery block. The corners must be processed so that when connecting, the gap is minimal.
This work may not be required if there is a corner blank for the ceramic border:
- It is recommended to lay the border from the corners. Use a spatula to carefully apply glue to the back of the border and press it against the wall. Excess glue should be removed. Application should be as dense as possible. Can be used rubber mallet for careful alignment of parts.
- After complete drying, after a day, use sealant to seal the smallest cracks.
- Upon completion of work, it is recommended to generously water the border and corners to ensure the strength of the adhesive.
If you plan to attach borders to tiles, the process will be much simpler:
- Waterproof glue (liquid nails) should be applied to the grease-free tiles on the wall. The curb should be pressed firmly to adhere to the adhesive.
- It is advisable to use a building level for work. It is recommended to remove excess glue in a timely manner.
- After hardening, use grout putty to treat all seams.
The cost consists of several main indicators:
- Material of manufacture.
- Country of origin.
- Available complete with facing tiles.
- Color and texture(white and smooth are always cheaper).
It should be noted that ordering in an online store is more profitable than in a construction supermarket, but many people prefer to hold the product in their hands before purchasing in order to feel it in reality.
Cost of one white ceramic corner standard size – from 30 rubles, color – from 40 rubles.
Adviсe:
- Before adding a border sticker, prepare special plastic crosses to maintain the gap between the modules of the same width.
- Grouting joints between border elements, must be done with the same grout composition as for facing tiles.
- In difficult geometric lines helps out ceramic mosaic , since small elements help preserve even oval lines.
- Carefully prepared and executed work will undoubtedly be crowned with success.
The junction of the bathtub or shower tray to the wall is problematic. The trouble is that it is quite difficult to achieve tightness in this place. Liquid constantly seeps into the crack, which creates problems not only for the owners of the apartment, but also for the neighbors below. Moisture accumulates and penetrates through concrete floors. You can solve the problem by installing a ceramic bath border. What is this product and how to install it correctly? This will be discussed in the article.
What kind of product
The gap between the plumbing fixture and the wall can be eliminated in various ways. Some resort to using sealants or special tapes, which can be found in construction stores. These methods are effective, but they have some limitations:
- short service life;
- small gap size;
- instability to mechanical stress.
The sealant, as well as the special tape, require periodic updating. This is due to the fact that mold can develop on them, which eats into top layer and it is almost impossible to remove. In addition, these products have minimal mechanical stability. It is easy to push the tape and sealant with your fingers and the gap will become visible again. It is impossible to use tape and sealant if the angle is large and the bathtub is located far from the wall. Products will simply fall into big gap. Often the tape simply comes off due to constant exposure to moisture, which cannot be completely eliminated.
Due to such shortcomings, many opt for a ceramic border. To put it simply, this is an ordinary ceramic bathroom corner. It has the following properties:
- high strength;
- pleasant appearance;
- ease of combination with the interior;
- resistance to constant exposure to moisture;
- resistance to temperature changes;
- absence of harmful components;
- chemical resistance.
The ceramic bathroom corner is highly durable. It is difficult to damage it with normal pressure. At the same time, it is not recommended to drop heavy objects on it, as they can break it. A ceramic border can be easily combined with the tiles that are in the bathroom, as well as with a bathtub or shower stall. At the same time, the corner does not stand out from the overall picture. Ceramic borders withstand moisture very well. At the same time, its shade does not fade or become dull.
Impact hot water causes many materials to expand. At the same time, the ceramic corner retains its configuration during temperature changes. Ceramics do not contain harmful components, unless, of course, the manufacturer used a glaze coating that contains lead. The absence of harmful additives indicates safety for health.
Pay attention! You can wash the ceramic border with ordinary household products. At the same time, it perfectly withstands the effects of acids, like conventional ceramics.
Among the disadvantages of such a solution for the bathroom, one can note the high cost of a ceramic border. It is important to take this into account when drawing up a budget for renovations. Inexperienced craftsmen may have difficulties during installation. The difficulty is the process of leveling and when attaching the corners.
Varieties
Before purchasing a ceramic border, you need to find out about existing varieties. Some of them look bulky, so they are not suitable for a specific interior. There are three main types of ceramic borders for the bathroom:
- "pencil";
- "frieze";
- angular.
The first one is suitable for a bathroom designed in a minimalist style. This corner is a thin strip that has a protrusion. On the outside of the curb there may be a relief of a certain shape. This corner is perfect in cases where the gap between the bathtub and the wall is small. It is also used to visually divide a room and to frame various rectangular objects. The second type of border is more like a regular one ceramic tiles, which has a small width. At the bottom of this design there is a small protrusion, which is intended to cover the gap.
The most common and most used is the third type of ceramic borders. It looks like an ordinary corner. This type of border has its own subspecies:
- external;
- interior.
Each of them requires a more detailed description.
External
The external version of the border goes well with the tiles and even covers significant gaps. Most often this option is installed during the finishing of the bathroom, but it is not particularly difficult to add it after the process is completed if necessary. This type of corner is used not only for bathtubs and showers. It perfectly highlights the various elements in the room. If installation will be carried out directly on the gap between the bathtub and the wall, then it is important that the edges of the border are not sharp. Otherwise, it may cause injury if it falls. To fix the outer corner border you will need special glue. It is not applied in too large a layer so that there is no gap left between the tile and the corner.
Pay attention! It will be easier to install a corner whose thickness is slightly greater than the thickness of the tile.
Interior
Internal borders are more designed for ease of joining external ones. They are a concave structure that is 2 cm or less wide. Thanks to this ceramic joining element, the frame looks much more aesthetically pleasing. The internal corner is used not only for joining horizontal elements. A triple border can combine a vertical line with two horizontal ones. The inner corner is fixed to the laid tile. Internal borders are also suitable for protecting sharp corners.
What is needed for installation
If you have decided to install the curb yourself, then you need to acquire the required tools and materials. You will need the following components:
- sealant;
- ceramic border;
- tile adhesive;
- spatula with teeth;
- sandpaper;
- pliers;
- Bulgarian.
The sealant must be antiseptic; it will prevent the development of fungi and bacteria. Ceramic borders should be purchased with a small reserve in case of unforeseen situations. The spatula can be not only serrated, but also flat. Everything will depend on what is more convenient to work with.
To count correctly required quantity ceramic border you will need a tape measure. With its help, all sides of the framed object are measured. After this, you need to divide the result by the length of one border. The result will be the number of elements required. If the length of the elements is small, then you can safely make a stock of 3 or more pieces. Even if they are not used up during the installation process, they may be needed during repair work.
Installation process
The glue has the best adhesion to clean surfaces. This is also true for the installation of a ceramic border. The laid tiles are washed with alcohol or a similar solvent, which should remove all dirt and grease. You can use a regular soap solution, but after that it is important to dry the surface. Before installing the corner, it is necessary to close the gap between the bathtub and the wall. A sealant is perfect for these purposes; if it is not able to adhere, then you can use polyurethane foam. While the filler is drying, the adhesive for the tiles is prepared.
When preparing, you should follow the proportions indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging. The result should be glue that has a consistency similar to thick sour cream. The inner border or corner is fixed first. Thanks to it, it will be easier to calculate the length of the remaining elements.
Pay attention! Internal ceramic borders make it possible to simplify the installation process by not having to cut the main elements at 45°.
The individual elements of the ceramic border are joined as tightly as possible. During the process, glue will come out, which must be eliminated before it dries. When all parts of the border are in place, it is necessary for the glue to harden. This usually takes up to 10 hours. After this time, it is necessary to moisten the mounted border generously and let it sit until it dries completely. Wetting prevents cracks from appearing that could cause peeling. There is a video about the installation process below.
There are several ways to protect the gap near the bathtub from water penetration. In the best case, you need to install the side of the bathtub in a groove in the wall, or cover its edge with cladding and silicone the gap. The next most reliable method, if the bathroom is already installed, is to fill the seam with glass acrylic (which is used to restore cast iron baths). But if these methods do not suit you, you can install a ceramic border for the bathroom. It is more reliable and durable plastic corners or, the color can be matched to any tile.
Video review of plastic and ceramic borders:
Quick navigation through the article
Installation features
Need to provide reliable fixation bathtub so that it does not wobble and stands exactly horizontally. Don’t worry about poor water drainage; there is a special slope towards the siphon at the bottom for this purpose.
If standard legs do not provide the necessary stability, the bathroom is installed on foam blocks or bricks. Or you can provide additional support by foaming the space under the bathtub. To reduce foam consumption, the void is filled with plastic bottles.
Ceramic border details
Bath borders have several types of parts for easy installation:
Decoration and protection of corners
- Ceramic corner. It has a length of 20-25 cm and a width of 3-3.5 cm. It closes a gap of up to 2 cm. It is used on straight sections, and if you file the edges at 45°, also on corners. Sometimes already cut corners are available for sale.
- Star. Needed for joining two corners at right angles without filing.
- Plugs. Close the end slots.
A ceramic bath border will look more beautiful if its length and seams match the main tiles on the wall.
Calculation
How to avoid getting a narrow border trim along the edges:
- Measure the length of the wall and divide it by the length of one border. Round down to the nearest whole number and subtract 1. You will get the number of pieces that will fit on one wall without trimming (minus one piece).
- Start laying from the center (align the center of the corner with the center of the wall).
- As a result, you will get 2 trims along the edges. They will be the same, and more than half the width of the tile.
Installation
There are 2 ways to install a border:
- To the base of the wall - the preferred option, done before facing the walls.
- For cladding - if the walls are already covered.
Installing a border on a wall
- Traditional preparation of walls for tiles is done: removal old decoration, plaster, primer.
- The bathroom is leveled and fixed.
- The gap between the wall and the bathtub is filled with plumbing silicone. This will be the second stage of protection if moisture gets through the grout. The sealant is applied with a construction gun, then sprayed with water and the excess is removed with a soapy finger or a wooden template. Read more about applying sealant.
- A border is glued above the bathtub using elastic cement glue or liquid nails. The mixture is applied to the back of the curb, not to the wall.
- Attach it above the curb facing tiles to align it in one plane.
- Spacer crosses are inserted between the parts.
- To trim the corners, use a grinder with a tile disc.
- Further wall cladding is done followed by grouting the joints.
Installation on cladding
Gluing over tiles with joints aligned
Installation is done almost the same as on a bare wall. Main differences:
- Needs to be removed carefully old baseboard and thoroughly clean and degrease the base.
- The new tile border is glued only with liquid nails.
Border tiles
In some cases, bathroom border tiles can replace ceramic corners. The photo shows an example of using tiles to create a border on a mosaic wall.
Glass frieze
Conclusion
With careful installation and regular care the border will look beautiful for a long time. For additional reliability, treat the surface protective composition: Atlas Dolphin, Kiilto Seal, Ceresit CT 10, etc. But complete protection against mold will only be achieved when using epoxy grout.