When laying wall and floor ceramics, it is extremely important to pay attention to the design of protruding edges and joints. For these purposes, an external corner for tiles is used, which performs both protective and decorative functions.
What is an accessory?
The corner for the tile is used when facing the external joints of the tile. One side of such accessories is presented in the form of a groove where the edge of the ceramic is adjusted. Another - plays the role of protection against chips and bumps, and also acts as a decorative surface. The hidden side of the accessory has a grooved structure, which provides good grip during installation.
Materials of manufacture
Currently, the outer corner for tiles is made from:
- Aluminum
- Plastic.
- Pottery.
- Of stainless steel.
Due to the neutral shade, aluminum corners acquire the most spectacular appearance if necessary, facing tile joints, presented in several separate colors. Such an accessory is ideally combined with any metal elements.
As for the plastic outer corners, products in this category are distinguished by a special variety of colors and shades. The material is lightweight, flexible and waterproof. The outer corner for PVC tiles can easily be placed on silicone sealant at any time after laying the tiles.
A distinctive feature of ceramic accessories for masking joints is the ability to create a pattern on the outer surface, which corresponds to the texture of the main lining. Such products are characterized by increased cost and often belong to a certain collection of tile products.
The outer metal corner made of stainless steel is the most durable and reliable. As a rule, accessories in this category are painted in silver, golden tones, which contributes to the formation of a single composition with faucets, pipes, shower elements. Quite often on sale you can find a nickel-plated or chrome-plated outer corner for stainless steel tiles.
Mounting Features
How to install an external corner for a tile? The work is carried out in stages:
- To begin with, a profile of the desired length is cut off, after which it is tried on to the joint.
- The tile is inserted into the grooves of the corner on both sides, measurements are taken and marks are made. All elements are temporarily removed to the side.
- Glue is applied to the corner zone, after which, according to the marking, the profile is seated.
- The edges of the tiles are placed in the slots of the corner, the structure is pressed to the surfaces.
- The lining is cleaned of traces of protruding glue and mortar. The surfaces are wiped dry.
- Using masking tape, the tile is strengthened together with the corner until the glue completely dries, which takes about a day.
Finally
External corners are able to provide additional reliability of the protruding part of the ceramic tile. Regardless of the material of manufacture, it is recommended to select profiles slightly thicker than the tiles, about 2-3 cm. If there is too little difference, there is a high probability that the ceramics simply will not go into the groove.