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janny3

Need help with tile question

11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Our designer wants to use a 45 degree grout application instead of a finished trim on the edge of glass mosaic tile. Someone at Home Depot told me it could break apart eventually. A strip has already been installed on the left edge of a tub/shower wall and looks messy. The strip on the right side butts up against a door. The design calls for the same angled grout and accent tile border around two different mirrors? Any opinions on this technique, should I get Schluter, or try to find a pencil tile? I found a skinny piece of wood trim that could be painted to cover the edge. I don't know what else to do. This mosaic comes down one side, across the floor in front of the tub, and up the other side.

Also, you can see a bit of a niche in the background. It s not finished because the installers put it up forgetting we had no bullnose. I had wanted Schluter but all the tile is in place except where bullnose was supposed to go. Can a line be cut behind the surrounding tile to slide Schluter in or is that too risky.?The only solution I could find was to buy white 2x6 bullnose from which thy can cut skinny edge pieces but that will be delicate and tricky and may look bad even if they cut evenly.

Comments (15)

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    The broken area of grout in the photo above was a really crooked tile which had to be adjusted and will have to be regrouted. But how is this likely to hold up?
  • 11 years ago
    If you do not get an answer here, take your question to the John Bridge Tile Forum - the friendliest tile help you can get. http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1
    janny3 thanked jhmarie
  • 11 years ago
    Since the tile is already installed Schluter cannot now be inserted, or can it?? They would have to carefully slice under the tile. Is that even possible?
  • 11 years ago
    Or, what do you think of the idea of putting wood trim on to cover the edge, and on the niche, a thin slice of bullnose, cut off the 2x6?
  • 11 years ago
    What about 12" glass liners running at the edge-- pull a color from within those little tiles-- and if you have room, I would see if the tiler could edge it with those glass liners. You may not have room, but that would look good. You can see what they look like here. These are 1/4" thick. Tile size: 5/8" x 11.75"
    http://www.glasstileoasis.com/p-16644-Crystile-Grey-Stone-Grey-Glossy-Glass?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CSE&utm_campaign=Google%2BMerchant&gclid=CjwKEAiAxZKmBRD_5cCvs8SbxXsSJADZBCmdUYOiJC4DakmWfboOP1K_a5ApwuDSXI_w412H5jXAOBoCRaDw_wcB
    janny3 thanked dbh
  • 11 years ago
    Since the other side is edged by the white painted door that is why I thought in that spot maybe I should choose wood trim. Would that work, too? I thought both sides should at least look similar. I would ask the tiler to take out a row of the mosaic to add pencil trim on both sides but then it wouldn't match the floor, where the same border is inlaid next to the floor tile. Do you agree that the 45 degree grout could crumble?
  • 11 years ago
    Oh; I see. Yes-- then I think the wood trim would work-- only wood that's going to get hit by a lot of water-- I'm not sure. I'd ask.

    I think it probably depends on the grout used. We have this grout my tiler used that I'm not sure a sledgehammer would destroy. Our issue when we redid one bathroom is that I did not like the way the grout looked edged at the end. Part of that was because the tiler-- as good as he is-- is not exactly a neat "finisher." So he grouted the edges at places that needed it, like yours, but it just looked a little sloppy to me. So I then had a woman come over who advertises herself as a "finisher" (kind of like a 'closer') :)-- who edged that out (on top of the grout) with caulk. So neatly done. Then she painted the walls and managed to hit that paint neatly at the edging of that caulk. Very very neat and straight lines.
    janny3 thanked dbh
  • 11 years ago
    Very interesting! The grout is sanded accucolor in standard white. I think it is Tec but will have to find the bag. I imagine grout varies in quality. Our painter is good with caulk. I am glad you told me about your finisher!
  • 11 years ago
    Yes-- I am very happy with the way mine ultimately turned out (those edges). Our grout was sanded, too, which isn't as fine (and neat looking) as the sanded. So-- yeah-- and caulk does come in a variety of colors. We also replaced our kitchen countertop with soapstone, but I kept the limestone backsplash. Right there where the soapstone met the end of the limestone-- it needed caulking. Again, I had someone who has a good steady hand with caulk-- and I found a caulk that really had a great color mesh-- and the caulking (and the color) along the edges is perfect. Caulk (in the hands of the right person) can work miracles. :)
    janny3 thanked dbh
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    Just so you know, I found glass pencil liner to edge this tile where it will go around a mirror, thus I don't have to worry anymore now the grout will look there. Costly to be sure but worth it.
  • 11 years ago
    Great, janny3! I thought that might work. If you've bought the glass already, you can stop reading now. :) If you haven't, check out this 'glass tiles oasis' place. This is where I bought my glass liners, and the prices are great. I found what I wanted in a local tile store and then found the exact same thing online-- so much less expensive than the tile store. They arrived-- all perfect.. http://www.glasstileoasis.com/c-200-Glass-Glass-Liners-Tiles
    janny3 thanked dbh
  • 11 years ago
    I did buy them as I needed them ASAP. But thanks. There is always the kitchen someday. I found a beautiful clear though really blue gray pencil which I think is made by Lunada Bay. It is expensive but no time left to ponder!
  • 11 years ago
    We used a really pretty blue/gray glass liner in-between some beige marble with blue/gray veins. It's so pretty-- like moving water. Post a picture when you have it finished!
  • 11 years ago
    That sounds like my style, too!