Should you tile around plug sockets, or under them?

Question

I have already tiled under my flush fittings and it does look neat, but i'm not so sure about the surface mount ones? A picture of either finished result would be really helpful if anyone happens to have one!!?

Answer 1

Tile under them.....looks much better plus you may need to remove the sockets at some time and this may prove impossible if they are 'tiled-in'.

Answer 2

I must agree with g m. Make them all flush while you are at it. You will need 25/32mm deep flush (metal) boxes. If it's a solid wall you won't have much cutting with the tile thickness, and the finished job will be a lot nicer. If you can't do that then loosen the surface boxes and tile under, it will be neater than cutting around them.

PS. Call them 'sockets', not 'plug sockets'. The 'plug' plugs into the socket!!

Answer 3

I tile under the socket leaves a much better finish

Answer 4

Turn off the power, remove the plastic part of the socket ( 2 screws ) and tile up to metal inset piece of the socket. Be careful not to turn on the power before all grouting and water is finished with.

Answer 5

Tile under, without a doubt!

Answer 6

Tile under them and it will look very professional and easier to replace the sockets later, if you need to.

Answer 7

You MUST tile under them, it's a much more professional job. Tiling around them is lazy and amateurish.

Answer 8

neater under !!! if you are going to tile the surface ::: sink the boxes in the wall , so they are not surface anymore !!! making good will be minimal , due to the finish !! (you will need different back boxes )

Answer 9

Tile under - no question that it looks better.

Answer 10

You should tile under them it looks much neater-

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/tiling/kitchen_splash_back.htm

Page two shows how it should be done and what it should look like when finished-

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/tiling/kitchen_splash_back_2.htm