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How to Install a Quarter Round Ceramic Tile Trim

B. Ellen von Oostenburg

Quarter round tile trim is most often thin, narrow and delicate in appearance. Installing it is like adding the icing to a cake. It's the finishing touch that pulls the design elements of a tile installation all together. The small details like quarter round make a project sing.

This particular ceramic trim offers a beautiful completion to any tile installation.

  1. Lay the field tile for the installation. Field tile are the tiles that fill the large expanses of the tile installation.

  2. Trim the edges of the the installation with the quarter round ceramic tile trim. Pick up each piece trim one at a time and apply, mortar or mastic to the back of it with a trowel or small spatula. Don't skimp on the adhesive.

  3. Press the quarter round in place. Wiggle it slightly back and forth to ensure good adhesion to the bed of the installation.

  4. Stand back from the installation periodically and check that the quarter round trim is reading straight. If its not, readjust individual pieces.

  5. Allow the mortar or mastic to set up before applying grout.

Tip

The mortar might ooze out around the edges when pressed into place. Be sure to clean excess mortar away so grout can be worked in all around the trim pieces..

Warning

Quarter round trim tile can be fragile. Be careful not to accidentally snap it when setting it.