Technical advice note 10 - Tile Trim Profiles ... - Tile Fix Direct

THE TILE ASSOCIATIONFORUM COURT, 83 COPERS COPE ROADBECKENHAMKENT BR3 1NRTEL 020 8663 0946FAX 020 8663 0949E-MAIL info@tiles.org.ukWebsite www.tiles.org.ukCompany Registration 3896624Our Ref: LJD/TTA June 2013Technical advice note 10 - Tile Trim ProfilesIntroductionThis paper has been written with the aim of providing advice and guidance for all parties inthe use and installation of tile trim profiles in tiled wall and floor installations. The papershould be read in conjunction with current and forthcoming British, European andInternational Standards, in particular BS 5385 and BS 8000-11.The development and proliferation of trim profiles has echoed two major shifts in the ceramictile industry, including the transition from mortar bed installation to adhesive fixing and thechange in ceramic tile production techniques. Trim profiles are valuable tools for tileinstallers, with the benefits ranging from simply improving the aesthetics and design optionsto providing durability of tile assemblies.Despite the fact that ceramic and natural stone tiles are very durable coverings, tiles are hardrigid material and edges are prone to cracking and chipping when left unprotected. Tiles area popular choice for their hygienic and easy maintenance properties, however exposed tileedges need to be protected.In general, trim profiles for ceramic and stone tile applications feature two primary elements.The first is an anchoring leg, which allows the profile to become an integral component of thetile assembly within the tile adhesive bed. The second primary element of the trim profile isthe “body”, which forms the visible surface of the profile, finishing and protecting the tile edge.Therefore, it is important when using trim profiles to select products that are specificallydesigned for the application of ceramic and natural stone.Trim profiles are available in a wide variety of materials, finishes and colours to suit variousinternal and external tile applications from a design and aesthetic perspective; however it isalso important to consider the expected service conditions, e.g. mechanical stresses,exposure to cleaners and chemicals, etc.The following document is a general guide to the use of trim profiles within ceramic tile andnatural stone installations. Whilst there are a number of suppliers of profiles and trims withinthe UK tile industry, the information supplied in this document highlights areas that will becommon across all suppliers. For individual applications, or to verify suitability, it isrecommended that the product supplier is consulted for individual project suitability.The most common profile materials encountered are PVC, aluminium, brass and stainlesssteel. Whilst the manufacturer of the profile will determine its use and areas of application,TTA Technical advice note 10 – Tile Trim Profiles© The Tile Association 2013

the following are generic guidelines.Residential Commercial IndustrialPVC PVC -Aluminium Aluminium -Anodised aluminium Anodised aluminium -Brass Brass BrassStainless steel* Stainless steel* Stainless steel** Generally suppliers offer profiles and trims in grade 304 and grade 316 stainless steeloptions. The selection of the different grades will depend on the application and exposure tochemicals.Material properties:Stainless steel can sustain high mechanical stresses and is especially suited for applicationsrequiring resistance against chemicals and acids, e.g. swimming pools, hospitals and foodindustry applications. All cleaning agents should be free of hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acid.Stainless steel profiles are offered in various grades providing chemical resistance againstcommon substances that are encountered in tiled environments. Whilst stainless steel isresistant to a variety of chemical substances it does not negate the need to employ a cleaningregime for the profile(s).Areas ofuseGrade304Grade316Domestic Commercial SwimmingPoolsExternal ChemicalResistanceFoodIndustryMedicalIndustry x x x x The above chart is a generic guide to the use of stainless steel profile grades in tileinstallations; verify individual suitability with the supplier.Brass can sustain high mechanical stresses and is resistant to some chemical exposure. Incontact with air, solid brass will oxidize and develop a natural patina. This oxidation can becleaned with a suitable polishing agent.Aluminium profiles should be verified for their suitability in the environment they are to beused. Aluminium is sensitive to alkaline substances, which may result if the formation ofcorrosion products (aluminium hydroxide). As cementitious materials in conjunction withmoisture become alkaline it is important to solidly bed the profiles and ensure all adhesiveand grout residue is removed from the profile. Oxidation films can be removed with acommon polishing agent.PVC profiles should be checked with the manufacturer for suitability and chemical resistance.Wall profilesThe manufacture of ceramic tiles with glazed edges is not common these days. Theconsequence being the body of the tile is visible at external corners or where tile edges arevisible at the edges of skirting or transitions to other coverings.The basic purpose of wall trim profiles is to provide a decorative edge whilst protecting the tileedge from damage.A variety of materials, colours and surface finishes are available offering increased designflexibility to provide protection to the exposed edges and create beautiful design features for adurable installation.TTA Technical advice note 10 – Tile Trim Profiles© The Tile Association 2013

Trim profiles are usually available for most applications and include edge protection anddecoration profiles in square and rounded formats, with other options being available fromindividual manufacturers.Square Edge Trim Round Edge Trim Cube Shaped TrimInstallation (generic installation guidelines for profile with anchoringlegs):• Select the profile according to the tile thickness.• Using an appropriate notched trowel, apply tile adhesive to the area where theprofile is to be placed. If using the profile on an external wall corner, tile one wallfirst, then trowel tile adhesive over the corner of the second wall.• Press the anchoring leg into the fresh adhesive and align.• Trowel additional tile adhesive over the anchoring leg to ensure full coverage andsupport of the tile edges.• Solidly bed the tiles over the anchoring leg, so that the top of the tile is eitherflush with the top of the profile or up to 1 mm lower.• Set the tile to leave a grout joint of approximately 1.5 - 3 mm.• Fill the joint completely with grout material and remove any residual from thevisible surfaces of the profile.To overcome the need to mitre profiles at internal and external corners, a large number ofsuppliers provide corner pieces to compliment the trim profile being used. The corner piecescan enhance the finished application and speed the installation process. Consult individualsuppliers on what is offered.Floor profilesCeramic and stone tiles are inherently brittle by nature; therefore their exposed edges canchip or crack if left unprotected. Transitions between floor surfaces and at thresholds areparticularly vulnerable to damage. There are a wide variety of profiles and trims available toprovide edge protection and transitions at thresholds and between adjacent surfaces,resulting in durable, maintenance free tiled coverings.The profiles can be generally grouped into two categories, transitions between same heightsurfaces and transitions between different height surfaces.Selection of the appropriate transition profile will be determined on individual applications,taking account of the environment and traffic conditions, etc.When selecting transition profiles careful consideration should be given to the exposure of theprofile to traffic load and chemical exposure. Where residential and light commercialenvironments are encountered the majority of material listed will be suitable, however forhigher traffic loads, brass and stainless steel profiles would be preferable.Where floors are subjected to frequent wetting or have aggressive cleaning regimes, stainlesssteel profiles would be favourable.TTA Technical advice note 10 – Tile Trim Profiles© The Tile Association 2013

Edge Protection TrimTransition TrimInstallation (generic installation guidelines for profile with anchoringlegs):Select the profile according to the tile thickness.When using a ramp profile, it may need to be back filled with tile adhesive under thetransition leg to provide full support.Using an appropriate notched trowel, apply cementitious adhesive to the area wherethe profile is to be placed.Press the anchoring leg into the fresh adhesive and align.Trowel additional tile adhesive over the anchoring leg to ensure full coverage andsupport of the tile edges.Solidly bed the tiles over the anchoring leg, so that the top of the tile is either flushwith the top of the profile or up to 1 mm lower.Set the tile to leave a grout joint of approximately 1.5 - 3 mm.Fill the joint completely with grout material and remove any residual from the visiblesurfaces of the profile.Stair nosing profilesCeramic and stone tiles are hard and rigid materials whose exposed edges are prone tocracking and chipping when left unprotected. Tiled stair edges that do not utilise appropriatetrim pieces are left vulnerable to chipping and breaking and can create a slip hazard,especially in exterior applications. Stair nosing profiles protect exposed tile edges andimprove safety on tiled stairways by providing slip resistant wear surfaces and increasedvisibility in both residential and commercial applications.Various options are available to suit internal and external locations in all tiled applicationsincluding residential, commercial and industrial environments. Where compliance to currentbuilding regulations is required, e.g. DDA (The Disability Discrimination Act 1995) or EqualityAct, then profiles are available to meet these needs. The advice provided within ApprovedDocument M – Access to and use of buildings states “all nosings are made apparent bymeans of a permanently contrasting material 55 mm wide on both the tread and riser”.Materials range from PVC to metal profiles and can allow for the tread area to be replaced onsome options.Stair Nosing ProfileDDA Compliant ProfileTTA Technical advice note 10 – Tile Trim Profiles© The Tile Association 2013

Tolerances on finished wall and floor levelIn accordance with BS 5385-3, ideally there should be no appreciable difference in levelacross joints, however the maximum deviation between tile surfaces either side of a joint,including movement joints, should be as follows:1. Joints less than 6 mm wide, 1 mm;2. Joints 6 mm or more wide, 2 mm.Site cutting of pre-formed movement joints can be achieved using the appropriate method.PVC profiles can be cut using a proprietary pair of snips or hacksaw with an appropriateblade. Metal profiles can be cut using a hacksaw or angle grinder with the appropriate bladeor disc. Specialist band saws and chop saws are available for cutting large quantities ofprofile; these can be obtained from various tool suppliers and manufacturers. Stainless steelproducts can be tarnished if the wrong cutting blade or disc is chosen, therefore correctselection is important.BS 8300: 2001 ‘Design of buildings and their approaches to meet theneeds of disabled people Code of Practice’.BS 8300: 2001 provides recommendations and guidance that specifically relate to designingfor visually impaired people, however this is not law, nor does it offer a guarantee ofcompliance with the law.Section 9 states:9.1 Surface finishes Commentary on 9.1. Floor, wall and door and ceiling surfaces can help orhinder the use of buildings by disabled people. For example, people with sensoryimpairments may have difficulty finding their way around spaces if they cannot respond tovisual cues.The extent to which floor, wall, door and ceiling surfaces enable disabled people to find andmaintain their bearings and maintain their independent use of a building, is influenced by:a) the colour, light reflectance value (LRV) and texture of the surfaces;b) the treatment of components and finishing elements, such as doors, architraves, skirtings,cornices, handrails, etc. which define, or are contained within, these surfaces;c) the appropriate use of surfaces to clarify location and direction and to identify objects;BS 8300 and Light Reflectance Values (LRV’s)Annex G of the British Standard expands upon the importance of good visual contrast to helpvisually impaired people differentiate and define surfaces. It equates colour with a lightreflectance value (LRV) and, in principle, states that areas with higher LRV differentials(ideally upwards of 30 points) are more readily differentiated by the visually impaired. Thismeans that colours with identifiable LRV’s can be used together to develop design schemesthat meet the recommendations of BS 8300.PPE RequirementsTile fixers should ensure their personal safety when cutting profiles by wearing theappropriate PPE for the task.TTA Technical advice note 10 – Tile Trim Profiles© The Tile Association 2013