For people who know their tiling - concealing edges?

Question

What is the best way to lay tile so that you minimise the number of unsightly "edge-on" tiles overall?

To elaborate:

I have some 40cm, fairly thickish ceramic tile. Brown marble-effect surface, white "side profile" (i.e. looking at the tile edge-on).

To me, it seems inevitable that some of it (around the angles of the bathroom, etc), is going to show "edge on", thus exposing the white side profile of the tile.

But.

I have seen tiling jobs (e.g. in hotel bathrooms, etc.) where this appears to have been concealed somehow - the join at the angles is "seamless", and the tile edge cannot be seen (and only the faintest, thinnest line of grout can be seen.)

How do I achieve something like that?

Did they bevel or angle the join, or was it just black magic, lol?

Answer 1

Hello mate.
Not black magic really, just a trip to a tiling centre or DIY place, somewhere like B&Q or Homebase etc. Take a sample tile with you (for colour and thickness).
They'll have lengths of plastic edging strip that have a flange which you secure under the tile. Once you've seen the edging, and understand its application, return home and work out how many lengths you need. Ask for help in store and they'll explain it to you. I remember the first one I did... its a piece of cake if you plan it right.
You really will need a mitre if you're going to make any 45 degree cuts at corners. Top tip..... trim off some of the edging's flange, you don't need it to be bomb proof!!

Cheers, Paul

Answer 2

With all due respect to the "mates" I suspect molding isn't at all in your plan. Papercut, as well as one other; explain how it's done.

I'll just add my two cents; or pence; as the case may be; for what it's worth; after thousands of tile jobs.

I'd want to have as many extra pieces of tile as possible for an occasional oops, and certainly begin angled cuts with a decent wet saw, and new blade. Certainly one can use practice pieces first to get a feel for speed of feeding; support of the piece; staying against the fence; etc.

Steven Wolf

In all honesty I've seen and done far more jobs using "Bullnose"

Answer 3

With tiling today you either put a plastic corner strip at the corners, or you buy a diamond disc table saw for cutting tiles and set it to 45 degrees and cut all the corners so that there are no edges showing.
try Screwfix for diamond cutters they have about 5 in their book from £30.

Answer 4

think sou is dead right, obviously went to the same tiling school as I did. Makes a really good job, and in different colours.
Good luck.

Answer 5

They mitered the edges which can be accomplished using a standard wet saw.