Mitre External Corners in Porcelain Tiles

[cornsack]

Looking to do a few mitred external corners this week (600x300x9 porcelain). Practiced the cuts a few times and very happy with that. Never filled the corners though.

Seen some resin recommendations but most of them are looking difficult to source. The only viable option I can see is Akemi PolySoft from Apex Grange but its £15 delivery if I want it in time and I don't need anything else from them. Would still purchase if the experts think this is the only way to go?

Why is silicone generally not used? Is it simply because of the finish and difficulty shaping (it can't be rubbed down). Are so-called 'flexible' grouts really not flexible/strong enough to use in an ordinary bathroom scenario?

@GaryTheTiler @3_fall @LEE MAC seem to be the mitre-pros. Sorry if not noticed anyone else!

 

[Old Mod]

Not sure if I’ve mentioned it or not, I have two videos in my albums that may help you.
Good luck.
Look at titles, they’re listed back to front. 🤷🏻‍♂️😊

 

[Tile Fix Direct]

Not sure if I’ve mentioned it or not, I have two videos in my albums that may help you.
Good luck.
Look at titles, they’re listed back to front. 🤷🏻‍♂️😊

Where do I find your albums?
(Admin edit: Mitre External Corners - Video Album Discussion - where the hell are those videos? :D - https://www.tilersforums.com/threads/mitre-external-corners-video-album-discussion-where-the-hell-are-those-videos-d.90029/ - Moved album discussion to a thread of its own, the thread contains a link to @3_fall's album - for those who find this thread in the future )

 

[cornsack]

Thanks for the replies.

As mentioned in my original post, I'm confident making cuts. Just looking for advice on what to fill the corners with

 

[Old Mod]

Where are the mitres being placed?

 

[Dan]

Thanks for the replies.

As mentioned in my original post, I'm confident making cuts. Just looking for advice on what to fill the corners with

Spot on.

Let's bring this thread back to help the OP peeps.

My bad there too, we've robbed his thread.
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I've peeled away discussion on albums: Mitre External Corners - Video Album Discussion - where the hell are those videos? :D - https://www.tilersforums.com/threads/mitre-external-corners-video-album-discussion-where-the-hell-are-those-videos-d.90029/

Apologies for robbing your thread there @cornsack lol

 

[acaciaguy]

Any thoughts on externals of ceramic metros appreciated

 

[J Sid]

Any thoughts on externals of ceramic metros appreciated

Mitre and grout,

 

[acaciaguy]

Brill. Thank you. How thick do you get the edge so not brittle or sharp

 

[J Sid]

1mm to 2mm

 

[cornsack]

Where are the mitres being placed?

Small bathroom. There are a 4 external wall corners, tiles will be half-height except in the shower enclosure

 

[Dan]

Half height. I'd consider a trim maybe. Naked bodies and mitres aren't wise when somebody is awesome at them. Let alone first-time-mitres.

You got any spare tiles to practice on maybe, if the mitres are a sure thing and have to be done, at least give them a really good bash on some off-cuts first. Get the hang of it?

I've never done them. And I don't think I'd like to. Kinda for the same concerns you guys have. I'd hate think I've jabbed somebody with my sharp mitre.

 

[Old Mod]

I'd hate think I've jabbed somebody with my sharp mitre.

They don’t need to be sharp mate, depends how they’re finished.
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Small bathroom. There are a 4 external wall corners, tiles will be half-height except in the shower enclosure

Have a look at the Schluter website, they have Finec mitre trim.
You still need to mitre the tiles but the quality of mitre required is much more forgiving.
They leave a small rounded edge on the corner and come in about a dozen colours and to suit tiles 3.5-12mm thick.
A great way to get in to mitred corners.

 

[Dan]

They don’t need to be sharp mate, depends how they’re finished.
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Have a look at the Schluter website, they have Finec mitre trim.
You still need to mitre the tiles but the quality of mitre required is much more forgiving.
They leave a small rounded edge on the corner and come in about a dozen colours and to suit tiles 3.5-12mm thick.
A great way to get in to mitred corners.

I know mate I just meant if they're the first I attempted, I would be worried that they might end up being. The same as somebody else said further up the thread.

One done right obviously wouldn't be sharp.

 

[cornsack]

Wow. Have got the mitringitself down but filling a mitred corner really is a dark art, can't get the full answer anywhere. Have asked myself before and seen many other posts where the question is half-answered. I have many great time-served plastering (and other trade) secrets I could exchange. Hell I would pay someone for solid answer at this point.

- Are so-called 'flexible' grouts really not flexible/strong enough to use in an ordinary bathroom scenario? I would imagine they could be rubbed down to a perfect shape once dry.

-Are there not any easy to purchase coloured-resins one would use as standard?

 

[J Sid]

You can use grout, but you really have to wait till its just about gone hard before cleaning and shaping it. Depending on the grout and til, e it may need to be left an hour or more

 

[Dan]

It's not that it's a secret.

It's a skill each tiler will have learned and can't really be explained. Each of their own jobs would be tackled slightly different due to tile changes and temperatures of rooms (affecting grout mixes etc).

You're attempting one area of tiling that even most tilers will avoid like the plague.

It really is an art.

And no amount of bribing with info will get you clear answers lol bless

These lads on here share their skills every day they're not afraid to. But it's just one of those masterclass type skills they have learned over years. It can't be explained in a thread.

I think anyway.

 

[cornsack]

You can use grout, but you really have to wait till its just about gone hard before cleaning and shaping it. Depending on the grout and til, e it may need to be left an hour or more

Thanks Julian! Bit like manually formed render/plaster corners then which I have experience with. All about timing.

If there's a fair amount to do, do you think it could be more time-efficient to slightly overfill the joins, let set overnight and then rub back with diamond pads the next day? Or is not easy to bring them back after they've gone
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It's not that it's a secret.

It's a skill each tiler will have learned and can't really be explained. Each of their own jobs would be tackled slightly different due to tile changes and temperatures of rooms (affecting grout mixes etc).

You're attempting one area of tiling that even most tilers will avoid like the plague.

It really is an art.

And no amount of bribing with info will get you clear answers lol bless

These lads on here share their skills every day they're not afraid to. But it's just one of those masterclass type skills they have learned over years. It can't be explained in a thread.

I think anyway.

It's not the technique I was after, just a couple of product recommendations, that was all!

 

[Dan]

Thanks Julian! Bit like manually formed render/plaster corners then which I have experience with. All about timing.

If there's a fair amount to do, do you think it could be more time-efficient to slightly overfill the joins, let set overnight and then rub back with diamond pads the next day? Or is not easy to bring them back after they've gone
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It's not the technique I was after, just a couple of product recommendations, that was all!

Fair enough.

It's just grout. Whatever grout you are using. But it needs to be stiffer. And that doesn't mean mix less water (grout cures with chemical reaction and needs wafer to become stiffer) if means wait a bit until it is curing kinda thing.

It's not something I would attempt at all.

Pics will win you a forum hat on this one I think.

 

[Old Mod]

One done right obviously wouldn't be sharp.

It’s actually country dependent, most of Europe and the states prefer an ‘arris, but not the uk, oh no, they want a bloody round.
I’ll start with a round, if it goes Pete Tong, they get an ‘arris! 🤣🤣

 

[Old Mod]

Wow. Have got the mitringitself down but filling a mitred corner really is a dark art, can't get the full answer anywhere. Have asked myself before and seen many other posts where the question is half-answered.

The reason you believe the question is only half answered, is because there isn’t a definitive answer!
Can you imagine how many resins there are in the market place.
Ask 10 marble companies what resin they use and you’ll get 15 different answers!!
There’s many variables that determine what to use.
Full epoxy, polyester, environmental, colour, experience, cost, application, personal preference, working time, U.V. tolerant.
That’s why you get half answers.
And believe me, it costs a small fortune to experiment with all those variables.
It’s nothing personal, it’s just an almost impossible question to answer.

 

[Tony_C]

This video may be of some use to you @cornsack, equally it may not but it made me think of this thread.

 

[cornsack]

This video may be of some use to you @cornsack, equally it may not but it made me think of this thread.

Thanks Tony! Love watching any master of their craft.

I have a little experience from free-handing corners with plaster and even lime renders the old-fashioned way. That is a skill let me tell you, I'm certainly not the best at it but looking at the associated techniques maybe I'm worrying all in vain!

 

[Old Mod]

Thanks Tony! Love watching any master of their craft.

I have a little experience from free-handing corners with plaster and even lime renders the old-fashioned way. That is a skill let me tell you, I'm certainly not the best at it but looking at the associated techniques maybe I'm worrying all in vain!

Did you find the colour you needed from the waters group?

 

[cornsack]

Did you find the colour you needed from the waters group?

Thanks for input everyone.

Think I am going to use my white grout on this occasion. Seems adequate for this particular situation I think and I also need to make a start sooner than I could get anything delivered. Might pursue resins for future projects though.

Some of the techniques look similar to that I have used to form corners by hand on plaster, render, etc. so I am hoping that will give me half a chance. Who knows, might be easier

 

[hmtiling]

Thanks for input everyone.

Think I am going to use my white grout on this occasion. Seems adequate for this particular situation I think and I also need to make a start sooner than I could get anything delivered. Might pursue resins for future projects though.

Some of the techniques look similar to that I have used to form corners by hand on plaster, render, etc. so I am hoping that will give me half a chance. Who knows, might be easier

Can we see some before and after pictures?