Tile borders: features of choice

When choosing a tile, you should pay special attention to the decorative elements of the collection, for example, borders. Indeed, it is often the right decor that is the defining element of a successful interior.

Tile borders can be applied wherever tile is used. This is an important element in renovation, giving a finished look to the room, whether it be a bathroom or a kitchen. It also acts as a decorative highlight that can be used to separate tiled areas.

The curb can be not only wall-mounted, but also floor-standing. Ceramic tile designers carefully work out every detail of the border so that it fits perfectly and harmonizes with the main tile.

In the bathroom, the border is mainly needed to eliminate the gap between the wall and the bathroom, the sink, in the kitchen - between the wall and the countertop. It is necessary to seal this space, preventing the formation of moisture, and then mold and mildew. An anti-slip coating - curb tiles is suitable for finishing the pool. In addition to aesthetics, this decor performs the function of repelling waves during active swimming.

There are several types of tile borders:

• Plastic.
• Ceramic.
• Acrylic.
• Self-adhesive.

A plastic curb is an economical option, but that doesn't mean it's bad. Some of them look like ceramic curbs when installed. That is, we can say that this is a cheaper version of ceramics.

A huge plus of the plastic border is that it is versatile and can be used with any material.

If we consider the installation of this border, then there are three main types:

• Interior.
• Outer.
• Two-piece.

The first is intended for installation directly under the tiles. The second is typically installed at the junction after facing work. And when installing the third, you first need to fix the holder bar, and only then attach the upper decorative part.

The plastic border loses to the ceramic border not only in appearance, but also in the degree of strength. Fragility in operation is the main disadvantage of plastic.

The ceramic frieze is the most environmentally friendly, using natural materials such as sand, a mixture of different types of clay, carbonates and feldspar, as well as glaze and dye. And this is not its only advantage.

All the positive qualities that ceramic tiles are endowed with are also present here:

• Long service life and durability.
• Refinement, it is very beautiful and fits into any interior, especially since more often it comes already complete with tiles.
• Low water absorption, gap tightness.
• High temperature resistance, if the room is not heated for some time, then you can not be afraid of the ceramic border - it will withstand temperature extremes.
• Resistant to the negative effects of fire.
• Resistant to various types of detergents, so it is easy to clean it from dirt.

There are several options for ceramic borders in stores:

• frieze;
• "Hog";
• "pencil";
• corner.

A frieze is a ceramic tile, in which the lower part has a slight sag, covering just the gap between the wall and the bathroom. "Pig" is an elongated, convex tile resembling a brick with beveled chamfers. "Pencil" is a narrow rectangular tile, it can cover only a small gap, it is more often used for decorative purposes. A corner curb is a corner tile similar to a skirting board.

Acrylic border is mainly used for finishing acrylic bathtubs. It is, just like ceramics, environmentally friendly and safe. It is also incredibly beautiful; over the years of operation, the whiteness of this border will remain and will delight you. A bathtub with an acrylic border will look like one whole, and this decorative solution will only enrich the interior of the bathroom.

Self-adhesive border tape is the most affordable option. A plus that distinguishes it from other materials is its flexibility. It can be easily glued on its own, and no additional elements are required for its installation: you just need to cut off pieces from the common roll and finish the work.

Having studied the types of borders, it is easy to guess what materials they are made of. Self-adhesive border tape consists of LDPE - high pressure polyethylene. Plastic skirting board is PVC (polyvinyl chloride).

Porcelain stoneware has proven itself very well; its use in creating a warm floor is widespread. It is fireproof, such a coating tolerates temperature surges well. And the porcelain stoneware skirting board around the perimeter is an additional safety element. Waterproofness will make it possible to avoid short circuits.

Also, if you look at the catalogs presented by stores, you can find borders from other materials, but they perform an exclusively decorative function:

• If you divide the tiled wall, using a glass border, into zones of the lower and upper levels, then you can increase the space in the room. The glass frieze will accentuate the beauty of the design of this room. You can use not just a glass skirting board of a certain color that suits your interior, but also choose a mirror frieze. It will give an incredibly decorative look, your room will only benefit if a mirror becomes a border.
• A decorative metal border will create a unique design in the room and add luxury to the interior. These inserts are available in aluminum, brass and stainless steel. They are resistant to aggressive environments and chemical processing.

• More expensive materials are, of course, curbs and skirting boards made of natural and artificial stone. Most often they go already in a set for tiles made of the same material. Such planks can be used in any room for decorating the floor, and you can also purchase borders that mask the gaps between the bathroom, sink and wall. These curbs are almost timeless, but they must match the interior and will not look very appropriate in a small room tiled with ceramic tiles.

When choosing borders for tiles, you need to know how much you need to implement the idea. Only a preliminary calculation of the required amount of materials will allow you not to spend extra money.

Curbs can be of any size, depending on what material they are made of:

• Ceramic, for example, is presented in lengths of 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 60 cm.
• Glass mainly has a length of up to 60 cm, but any option can be made to order.
• Self-adhesive tape can be 3.2 m and 3.5 m in length and in width - from 2 cm to 6 cm.

The use of borders for tiles gives your interior design a certain zest, originality and sophistication. It is necessary to think carefully about every little thing so that there is no feeling of incompleteness. A variety of colors and designs made on the borders allows you to show your artistic imagination and make the interior of your room one of a kind.

It is even better to make the floors contrasting: if the floor is white, then pick up the tiles and make the decor in the form of a black or gold border. Colors can scream with their brightness, or they can be just a tone lighter or darker. It all depends on your taste. Today, the theme and color palette of borders is very diverse. In the catalogs you can see plant motifs, geometric shapes, and even images of insects and animals.

With the help of borders, you can focus on some areas of the room, for example, highlight niches. To achieve this, you can use both horizontal and vertical edges. Or select a mirror with the help of mother-of-pearl mosaic, emphasize its presence in the room.

Also, do not forget about the color scheme:

• Bright tones such as red, orange, yellow will energize you.
• Cold ones (green, blue, gray), on the contrary, soothe.

If you want to adhere to one style in creating an interior, then the choice of tiles, borders for it will depend on the style you have chosen.

Several areas can be distinguished:

• Classic style.
• Minimalism.
• Country.
• Provence.
• Modern.

When decorating the interior of a bathroom or other room, every little thing is carefully thought out. If your bathtub is acrylic, then it is worth choosing an acrylic border for it, although ceramic will also come in handy if the walls are tiled with tiles from the same material.

• How interesting the glass border looks and it seems that it will fit any tile collection. A design solution with a glass border included in the composition can become a unique interior decoration and delight you for many years.

• This solution looks very unusual and original due to the graphic design of the ornament.
• Monochrome ceramic tiles in light colors, decorated with a border with floral ornaments, will surely fit into the Provence style.

This video shows you how to glue the ceramic curb in the shower room.