Tile edge profile height

[branimal]

I'm about to tile 2 bathrooms with 5/16" thick subway tile.Im going to use Dural profiles for the edging profiles.

For 5/16" tile do you guys use 5/16" profiles or 3/8" profile. the 5/16" profile is a tiny bit larger than the tile. Where the 3/8" profile leaves more like a 1/8" gap.

So this really comes down to how thick the finished thinset will be on the wall. And how proud the profile OR tile should be of the other.


Here's a link to the 5/16 profile: https://www.tileshop.com/products/du...l-profiles&sc=

The tile im using is 4x12x5/16" :
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Daltile-...D1P2/311781598

The 1st pic shows the tile on a 5/16 profile. They didn't have 3/8" profiles in stock.

[jadnashua]

You don't want the profile to be higher than the tile. Keep in mind that the thinset will still be the same thickness going through the cutouts in the flange. So, if sized properly, you can embed the tile so that it is essentially sitting on the top of the profile and get good thinset support underneath. If the profile is much taller than the tile's thickness, it's way too easy to get the profile proud of the tile creating a tripping hazard or lip.

When used on a wall, you can set the profile on the wall, hold it temporarily, then spread your thinset. Then, you won't have thinset on both the bottom and top after you set the tile. When used on the floor, you need to spread the thinset first, so you MIGHT want a slightly taller profile to account for the thinset on both sides.

A good proportion of tile is actually made overseas, and is sized in metric...to make it 'easier' for US, they sometimes list the sizes in inches. OFten, it's not, so you might want to check things with a metric ruler. You'll get closer to reality in many cases.

[branimal]

I'll go with the 5/16" after I confirm with calipers that the tile is indeed 5/16".

Good explanation on setting getting the profile on the wall without making a mess.

Thanks Jim.

[branimal]

I'm finally getting ready to start tiling the walls. I setup a ledger board on the wall.

I'm measuring out a vertical piece of tile profile to cut to proper length. Tiles, plus spacers, profile height & silicone where the wall tile meets the floor tile.

When figuring out the proper length on a calculator I get 43 3/8" But when actually measuring the tile with the spacers, I'm getting 43 9/16".

I'm going with the actual measurement. Had I not done the physical measurement, I would have to skim off 3/16 off the height of one tile. But if the situation was reversed, say actual measurement was 43 3/16" vs 43 3/8", I would need to add a huge grout joint at the top. 1/16" plus 3/16" = 1/4".

Is there a way to adjust the height of the metal tile profile once it's already up on the wall. Cut it with a hacksaw or dremel perhaps?

[jadnashua]

A Dremel tool, depending on the cutter, should be able to do it.

FWIW, a lot of the pros tend to use wedges rather than flat spacers, as they give more flexibility. Some of the spacers are slightly rubbery, and on a wall, the weight of the tile can compress things lower as you move up from the weight prior to the thinset tacking things up. Non-sag thinset can help on that, but depending on the tile, might still have a slight issue. In your case of trying to make up a slight amount, assuming you knew beforehand, with a wedge, you could make each row just slightly larger and overcome that issue. It also is very helpful if the tile aren't rectified, as there's usually some slight differences between them, so the wedges help to offset that. Plus, if there's a little thinset between your spacer and the tile, that can easily add a slight bit that you might not see until you've moved up a bit.