Selecting and installing a corner for the side of the bathroom

Leaving the gap between the edge of the tub and the tiles open can have unfortunate consequences. Firstly, the unaesthetic appearance, which spoils the impression of a fresh renovation. Secondly, water will pour through this gap. High humidity in the bathroom means that the water will not dry out for a long time, creating conditions for the spread of dampness, mold and mildew. In addition, increased dampness will cause rust to form on the metal parts of the shower or faucet. You can eliminate the gap, thereby making the joint aesthetically pleasing and the wall dry, using a bathroom corner under the tiles. Let's try to understand their types and installation nuances.

Treated joints

Types of bathroom corners

When starting finishing work in the bathroom, first of all you need to decide on the type of corner that will be used to seal the joint between the side of the bathroom and the tiles. Today, the market for finishing materials offers corners for bathroom tiles made of various materials. Let's look at them.

Ceramic baseboard

Such skirting boards have a number of advantages, including:

• Durability and resistance to aggressive environmental influences.
• No water leakage through the baseboard (unlike a plastic corner, which does not guarantee 100% tightness).
• Possibility of installation even if there is a large distance between the bathtub and the wall. In this case, it is simply filled with brick fragments, onto which a ceramic profile is laid using glue.
• Color stability throughout the entire period of operation. While plastic borders may turn yellow.

However, this material is not perfect. Its main disadvantage is low impact resistance. However, if treated with care, it can last a long time.

Ceramic border

Plastic border

Plastic is a universal material used in construction, including for sealing joints. The advantages of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) corners include:

• Wide range of shapes, colors and textures of borders.
• Low cost.
• Easy to install using glue and liquid nails.

Along with its advantages, this material has a significant disadvantage - a limited service life.

Plastic skirting board

Technology for installing skirting boards at the junction of tiles and bathtubs

Let's take a closer look at the options for laying skirting boards for tiles in a bathroom made of plastic and ceramics.

Installing a PVC border on tiles with your own hands

Installing a plastic border is quite simple, using the instructions:

1. Wipe the edges of the tiles and edges adjacent to the joints with a dry cloth.
2. Seal the gap with sealant and wait until it dries completely.
3. Cut the plastic profile into pieces equal to the lengths of the sides of the bathtub. Cut their edges at an angle of 45°.
4. To protect against contamination with glue, apply masking tape at a distance of 2 mm from the intended installation location of the corner, as well as on the corner itself.
5. Glue the corner between the bathtub and the tiles. Why apply it to the corner and press with force. At this time, bend the top side of the curb outward and apply sealant under it using a special gun. Level the layer of sealant with a spatula. Do the same with the bottom edge of the corner.

Applying sealant under plastic baseboards

[note]The border gluing stage requires the participation of a partner. Since alone it is not possible to press the corner to the surface with equal quality and force and at the same time fill the space under it with sealant.[/note]

Installation of a ceramic plinth at the junction with a bathtub under tiles

Installing a ceramic border is a little more complicated. The process technology is as follows:

1. Remove dirt and grease, wipe dry the surface around the perimeter of the bathroom and along the wall.
2. Carefully seal the gap between the wall and the bathtub with sealant using a special gun. Level the layer of sealant with a spatula or fingers soaked in water.

When applying sealant with your fingers, you can use tape to level it

3. Dilute the tile adhesive in water to the required thick consistency.
4. Cut the edges of the ceramic skirting boards at 45° using a diamond grinder disc or pliers, breaking off a piece along a pre-drawn line.

Ceramic border is usually sold together with corner elements

5. Smooth the cut edges with a polishing stone.
6. Apply glue to the underside of the border with a spatula. Glue the ceramic bathroom corner under the tile, pressing it firmly against the curb.

[note] For better adhesion of the glue to the surfaces, it is recommended to fill the installed borders with water the next day after it has dried. [/note]

When choosing plastic or ceramic options for corners, it is necessary to take into account that for the first option, experts guarantee preservation of tightness for a period of no more than a year with the need for subsequent replacement, while ceramics, if handled with care, will last for decades without deterioration in performance properties.