Rondec Installation Advice

[GoldMaple]

Hi,

I'm doing another project that has 3 niches and was planning on using Schluter Rondec for the outside corners. I'm not exactly sure of the best approach to take? Here are a few of my questions and concerns;

1. Would you start tiling inside the niche or outside?
2. Would you tile the wall right up to the niche first and then put the Rondec on?
3. Should I put the Rondec on 1st and then tile to it?
4. How do you minimize the sharp edges of cut tiles that butt up against the Rondec from being too noticeable?
5. The tile is 1/4". I was planning on using 1/4" Rondec. Is this okay?

I've seen every video out there on installation of Rondec. Any advice you can give is much appreciated. Thank you.



Martin

[tatumjonj]

I just installed Quadec and I'll give you my impressions:

2. Yes. I believe you're going to want to install your rondec on the inside of the niche and have it trim out the wall tile as well. In theory, it can be installed on either plane, but I think on the niche would be the way to go if I were doing it.

3. You want to install the rondec with your tile at the same time. It installs with thinset, not mechanically fasteners.

4. You can hit those edges with a rub stone. It won't necessarily put a profile on them, but it will take the sharp edge off.

5. I believe Schluter recommends using either the same thickness or going up one to account for the thinset behind the tile. I used 1/2" quadec with my 3/8" tile and it was maybe just a touch to deep but not super noticeably so. If you're looking for a specific look, maybe purchase a piece of several sizes and build a test board.

[sycamorebob]

I prefer to install wall tile first.

[Eschbach]

I install wall tile first as well

[K_Tile]

I also tile wall first but I mitre my corners.

[Tool Guy - Kg]

I do like Kevin.

[GoldMaple]

Thanks everyone.... What do you guys mean about mitering the corners? Do you mean that you put a 45 degree on the Schluter profiles like a picture frame and not use the Rondec corner connectors?

Also, my tile is cream colored with a red inside. When I cut that tile I can then use a rubbing stone to take the edge off. Do you grout those cut tiles so the grout is level with the tile since the edge is not nearly as rounded as the factory edge? Do you ever see some of the red color from inside the tile? If so, is there some way you hide it?

[tatumjonj]

You can miter the profile or use the corners. I believe the corners are very expensive.

[Topspin]

I used to do Rondec corners all the time, but a miter is a much cleaner look. Now I advise against corners and provide clients with my mitered corner pics and that's what they choose. Personal preference.

Schluter image

[GoldMaple]

Hi Kevin, nice corner. Is that actually Rondec? Also, what do you use for cutting those corners?

Given I have 12 corners doing the mitering would be a lot cheaper, too....

[Good Morning Flooring]

Always do the wall first, cause then you can do easy adjustments in the niche to make it perfect. It's much harder the other way around. Just make sure the wall tile where it meets the niche is nice and flat and square.

I generally go one size up from the tile for the trim as well, to account for thinset.

You can cut the mitered corners with a hacksaw and miter box, or really slow with a wet saw

[Topspin]

Wet saw for me. Regarding go really slow . . . Yeah take it to heart.

I pushed one just a little too fast and the blade grabbed it, chewed it and spit teeth- all in a 1/10th of a second. Lost a nearly brand new hot dog blade with huge chunks flying everywhere. At saw speeds that's likely like being shot out of a gun. Lucky I didn't end up the parts imbedded in a hand, eye or heart.

Only add to the slow comment - is to keep it tight against the fence or guide. If it's slightly loose the saw will want to take it from you. If it's tight against a guide it'll cut it just like you hoped. But not always.

[GoldMaple]

Thanks everyone! The wife likes the mitered corners so there's not much of a choice anymore. I'll go pick up the profiles and continue with this project.....very, very slowly at times.....

[nelsonkoehn]

Do you have a wood miter/chop saw? That's a better choice to cut that material with.

Not every tile setter has one handy tho, which is mostly why we'll use the tile saw.

[tatumjonj]

Miter saw with a fine metal blade.