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field tile as wainscot - trim ideas?

We are using a field tile for floor to ceiling in our master bath shower( 10' ceiling) - but need to use in as a wainscot around our tub - can't go to the ceiling. The field tile does not have a matching pencil or bull nose trim tile. I was thinking of using a glass pencil edge trim in a coordinating color? Any other thoughts? The field tile is a matte, nuetral ivory with about a V2 variance in the field. Thanks!

Comments (12)

  • PRO
    last year
    last modified: last year

    Mystery meat. Any tile can be a "field" tile. Is it porcelain, is it ceramic, is it marble?

    You can use a matching Schluter edge, you can simply run a very neat bead of caulk and paint it wall color as above the tub! or match the tile. Sometimes a skilled installer with the right tools/wet saw can create a mitre.

    We've no clue what material you have.

    Cynthia Neighbors thanked JAN MOYER
  • last year

    Does the tile you used offer bullnose tile, quarter round, anything?

    You might be able to find a honed marble trim piece that works.

    You need to visit local independent tile stores that carry mid/high end products for a better selection of these special tile details.

    This is the reason I try to select tile lines that carry matching trim pieces ... and those decisions start at the planning stages!

    Cynthia Neighbors thanked chispa
  • PRO
    last year

    "The field tile does not have a matching pencil or bull nose trim tile."

    Most tiles these days, unless ceramic or marble? Do NOT have accompanying trim.Non existent in Porcelain, zeillage,,,,etc

    Cynthia Neighbors thanked JAN MOYER
  • last year

    I would use any pencil or edge tile to complete the project, but make sure it is complete, and has some coordinating look with the whole room.

    In a personal application, I cut my tile to mimic an edge, but that isn't always possible.

    Cynthia Neighbors thanked Lyn Nielson
  • last year

    Ah thank you all - and I should have included a photo. The Tile is TREX by Paul Ceramiche - glazed porcelain. nothing from Floor and Decor ( :-)) and I will not use Schulter - personal dislike. I can have it bullnosed - but you would still see the edge of the porcelain. I looked at marble or travertine but it is too bulky. Also attched the glass pencil trim and our countertop selection. Appreciate all of your thoughts!



  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Just be aware that when glass tile is installed the color will usually change. For example those "beige" colors might look quite green once the tile is installed and grouted.

    A good porcelain tile manufacturer will usually offer bullnose tile to match their 12x24 or larger tile.


    Here are all the pieces the porcelain tile I used in my master bathroom offered, in addition to a dozen matching mosaics.

    Won't help the OP now, but for others starting the process, you need to know that these options are out there and you should expand your search beyond your local big box store.



    Cynthia Neighbors thanked chispa
  • last year

    I'd look at tile trim options at your local store and try to find a good match.

    And I'd run it around the entire room to make it look purposeful, even if you are running tile to the ceiling outside of the tub surround.

    Tilebar trim options - Visit the Tilebar site for trim option ideas, pencil and chair rail etc. Sometimes you can combine more than one trim to give it some depth and character and make it look very custom.

    Here are some examples:




    This one continues all around the room at the same height inside the shower and otherwise.

    Mt. Baker · More Info

    Here is what I mean by stacking trim tiles. This one has some beading below the chair rail. So simple but adds a very nice touch to an otherwise simple application.



    Cynthia Neighbors thanked M V
  • PRO
    last year
    last modified: last year

    I live in a bedrock of high end dedicated tile stores. It is RARE to find a porcelain match pencil or bull nose. WHY?. These tiles are generally not "traditional" in nature, even the marble mimics.. Bull nose is, a pencil MAY be, but both are more consistently found in ceramic or marble. I paint the caulk .....it literally "disappears". It's just not something you really stare at in the whole of a bath.

    Note ?Chispa trims..... profiles SUIT the look of her tile selection, and yes a lucky find amid the billions of porcelain.

    Cynthia Neighbors thanked JAN MOYER
  • last year

    Thanks so much everyone - great advice all around.


  • last year

    @JAN MOYER, no not a lucky find! It is months of work searching for the right products ... before I start any project. It took me several months to find a US distributor for an Italian tile I had seen in a photo and wanted to use for a long back hallway into the house from the garage. Lots of calls and emails to overseas manufacturers, distributors and resellers to track stuff down. I'm retired and have the time to track down and get what I want for the designs that I put together!


    A local tile shop owner saw my sample of that Italian hallway tile and wanted all the information on it so that she could sell it in her store. I gave her the US distributor information. When I stopped in a few months later, she had samples of the tile on display at her store!

    Cynthia Neighbors thanked chispa
  • PRO
    last year

    Use one of the powder coated Designer series of Jolly from Schluter. The Greige or Ivory are your two best candidates. Sized properly, it just covers the raw edge and blends in with the tile. Never ever use something contrasting that just draws attention to itself. No accent pencils or raw unglazed porcelain body.

    Cynthia Neighbors thanked KT Builders