Ceramic curbs for the bath and corners: choice, installation and installation

The gap formed between the edge of the font and the wall of the bathroom is one of the most common problems that people face in the process of repairing a bathroom. For several decades, there have been many ways to eliminate this trouble - from the capitalization of the cracks with the help of curb tiles to the gluing of the gap sticky curb tape, which is more a temporary solution.

Those who repair and finish the bathroom by themselves, usually prefer a simpler and more reliable way, namely, the use of special corners for the bath. They come in two types - plastic and ceramic. If the corners of plastic perform, mainly, a practical function - to prevent water from getting into the bath, then the ceramic plinth serves also decorative purposes. Ceramic edging creates a beautiful transition from the tile to the bath, giving the design a finished look.

• The ceramic plinth for the bath looks much more aesthetic than its plastic counterpart. The variety of colors allows you to choose a shade that is close to the tile, which makes the transition almost unnoticeable.
• Ceramics is a natural material, therefore it is chosen by connoisseurs of everything natural in the interior.
• Ceramics very well tolerates high humidity, which is inevitable in the bathroom. It rarely appears fungus and mold. Temperature drops are also not terrible for her.
• Ceramic corner does not need special care. Clean it with the same detergents that you use for tile.
• The service life of the ceramic corner for the bath is much greater than that of a similar plastic product.

• Despite the fact that ceramics - the material is hard and it is difficult to accidentally scratch during operation, a strong enough blow can damage the curb.
• Ceramic corners are completely non-plastic, so they can not be used to seal indirect gaps( for example, if the bath is irregularly shaped).
• Plinth for a ceramic bath is a more expensive option than a plastic corner. However, the price justifies itself, because such a product lasts much longer.

When you come to the building store, you will find three kinds of ceramic corners for a bath.

• "Pencil".This option is suitable for sealing the thinnest gaps. It has a cylindrical shape, sometimes with several faces. The color version can be different, including the metallic effect. The length is 20 cm and the width is 15 mm. It is also used as a curb for walls and floors, dividing the room into zones.
• "Corner" - the most popular type of plinth;when they say about a corner for a bath, it is usually implied it. It has a triangular cross-section, which allows one to insert one part directly into the gap, and two others to install on the edge of the bath and on the wall. Ceramic corners can be white or colored, monophonic or patterned. Standard size - 20x5.5 cm and 25x5.5 cm.
• "Fries" - a wide decorative border, which is most often used for finishing the walls of the bathroom. However, some establish it as a corner for a bath. It should be noted that working with this element requires some building skills, since it fits on the same principle as tile. The dimensions of this type of curb may be different.

Along with the ceramic corner, do not forget to purchase additional elements - end caps for edges and asterisks for docking at the corners. These parts are usually sold as a bundle, but you can purchase them and separately - find the corresponding ones in color and size will not be difficult.

The ceramic corner is installed on the bathtub in two different ways.

The first method is usually considered to be the easiest, therefore it is usually used by beginners in the construction industry. In this case, the curb is adhered directly to the tile.

• The edges of the tub and the adjacent parts of the wall are cleaned from dirt, degrease and dry.
• Seam the seam with a sealant and allow it to dry.
• If necessary, cut the ceramic curb to the part of the desired size. At the same time, you need to cut from the back side, and chop the chips on the ceramics with a polishing machine or sandpaper.
• Specialists recommend the use of liquid nails for ceramic corners. Apply the adhesive composition on the back of the curb, attach to the gap and firmly press it for a few seconds.
• After finishing the work, treat the joints with a transparent sealant on a silicone base for the bathroom.

Professionals prefer to lay a ceramic curb for a bath before the tile. This method is considered more time consuming, it takes more time and building materials. However, the result is worth it - the curb turns out very beautiful and durable.

• First you need to prepare the walls for ceramic tiles: clean out old finishing materials, align with plaster or gypsum boards, primed.
• Then you need to install a bath. Use the level for this, but do not forget to provide the slope necessary for a normal drain of water.
• Now the gap can be filled with a sealing compound. It is best to use a sealant based on silicone. Before you start, seal the gap on both sides of the paint tape - so you protect the enamel of the bath and the ceramic tiles from the penetration of sealant and glue.
• As long as the sealant does not dry, quickly level it with a rubber spatula or a soap-smeared finger( do not worry, the compound is well laundered from the skin).
• Prepare glue for tiles according to the instructions.
• Apply the required amount of glue to the back of the corner and press it against the gap.
• Insert plastic crosses between the border elements, the same ones you will use when laying tiles.
• After the gap is sealed, you can start tiling the walls with tiles. At the end of the work, the seams between the tile and the curb elements should be wiped. Use a grout of the same color for this.

The service life of the ceramic corner for the bath is the same as that of other ceramic products used for wall tiling in the bathroom. According to experts, quality tiles, laid in accordance with all the rules, with due care "lives" from 30 to 50 years. Of course, for such a period in your bathroom repeatedly there will be changes, because many prefer to do major repairs at least every 10-15 years. Therefore, you can not worry about the fact that the ceramic corner will become unusable before you want to change the interior of the bathroom.