Our Ref: LJD/TTA June 2013

Transcription

1 THE TILE ASSOCIATION FORUM COURT, 83 COPERS COPE ROAD BECKENHAM KENT BR3 1NR TEL FAX Website Company Registration Our Ref: LJD/TTA June 2013 Technical advice note 10 - Tile Trim Profiles Introduction This paper has been written with the aim of providing advice and guidance for all parties in the use and installation of tile trim profiles in tiled wall and floor installations. The paper should be read in conjunction with current and forthcoming British, European and International Standards, in particular BS 5385 and BS The development and proliferation of trim profiles has echoed two major shifts in the ceramic tile industry, including the transition from mortar bed installation to adhesive fixing and the change in ceramic tile production techniques. Trim profiles are valuable tools for tile installers, with the benefits ranging from simply improving the aesthetics and design options to providing durability of tile assemblies. Despite the fact that ceramic and natural stone tiles are very durable coverings, tiles are hard rigid material and edges are prone to cracking and chipping when left unprotected. Tiles are a popular choice for their hygienic and easy maintenance properties, however exposed tile edges need to be protected. In general, trim profiles for ceramic and stone tile applications feature two primary elements. The first is an anchoring leg, which allows the profile to become an integral component of the tile assembly within the tile adhesive bed. The second primary element of the trim profile is the body, which forms the visible surface of the profile, finishing and protecting the tile edge. Therefore, it is important when using trim profiles to select products that are specifically designed for the application of ceramic and natural stone. Trim profiles are available in a wide variety of materials, finishes and colours to suit various internal and external tile applications from a design and aesthetic perspective; however it is also important to consider the expected service conditions, e.g. mechanical stresses, exposure to cleaners and chemicals, etc. The following document is a general guide to the use of trim profiles within ceramic tile and natural stone installations. Whilst there are a number of suppliers of profiles and trims within the UK tile industry, the information supplied in this document highlights areas that will be common across all suppliers. For individual applications, or to verify suitability, it is recommended that the product supplier is consulted for individual project suitability. The most common profile materials encountered are PVC, aluminium, brass and stainless steel. Whilst the manufacturer of the profile will determine its use and areas of application,

2 the following are generic guidelines. Residential Commercial Industrial PVC PVC - Aluminium Aluminium - Anodised aluminium Anodised aluminium - Brass Brass Brass Stainless steel* Stainless steel* Stainless steel* * Generally suppliers offer profiles and trims in grade 304 and grade 316 stainless steel options. The selection of the different grades will depend on the application and exposure to chemicals. Material properties: Stainless steel can sustain high mechanical stresses and is especially suited for applications requiring resistance against chemicals and acids, e.g. swimming pools, hospitals and food industry applications. All cleaning agents should be free of hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acid. Stainless steel profiles are offered in various grades providing chemical resistance against common substances that are encountered in tiled environments. Whilst stainless steel is resistant to a variety of chemical substances it does not negate the need to employ a cleaning regime for the profile(s). Areas of use Grade 304 Grade 316 Domestic Commercial Swimming Pools External Chemical Resistance Food Industry Medical Industry x x x x The above chart is a generic guide to the use of stainless steel profile grades in tile installations; verify individual suitability with the supplier. Brass can sustain high mechanical stresses and is resistant to some chemical exposure. In contact with air, solid brass will oxidize and develop a natural patina. This oxidation can be cleaned with a suitable polishing agent. Aluminium profiles should be verified for their suitability in the environment they are to be used. Aluminium is sensitive to alkaline substances, which may result if the formation of corrosion products (aluminium hydroxide). As cementitious materials in conjunction with moisture become alkaline it is important to solidly bed the profiles and ensure all adhesive and grout residue is removed from the profile. Oxidation films can be removed with a common polishing agent. PVC profiles should be checked with the manufacturer for suitability and chemical resistance. Wall profiles The manufacture of ceramic tiles with glazed edges is not common these days. The consequence being the body of the tile is visible at external corners or where tile edges are visible at the edges of skirting or transitions to other coverings. The basic purpose of wall trim profiles is to provide a decorative edge whilst protecting the tile edge from damage. A variety of materials, colours and surface finishes are available offering increased design flexibility to provide protection to the exposed edges and create beautiful design features for a durable installation.

3 Trim profiles are usually available for most applications and include edge protection and decoration profiles in square and rounded formats, with other options being available from individual manufacturers. Square Edge Trim Round Edge Trim Cube Shaped Trim Installation (generic installation guidelines for profile with anchoring Select the profile according to the tile thickness. Using an appropriate notched trowel, apply tile adhesive to the area where the profile is to be placed. If using the profile on an external wall corner, tile one wall first, then trowel tile adhesive over the corner of the second wall. Press the anchoring leg into the fresh adhesive and align. Trowel additional tile adhesive over the anchoring leg to ensure full coverage and support of the tile edges. Solidly bed the tiles over the anchoring leg, so that the top of the tile is either flush with the top of the profile or up to 1 mm lower. Set the tile to leave a grout joint of approximately mm. Fill the joint completely with grout material and remove any residual from the visible surfaces of the profile. To overcome the need to mitre profiles at internal and external corners, a large number of suppliers provide corner pieces to compliment the trim profile being used. The corner pieces can enhance the finished application and speed the installation process. Consult individual suppliers on what is offered. Floor profiles Ceramic and stone tiles are inherently brittle by nature; therefore their exposed edges can chip or crack if left unprotected. Transitions between floor surfaces and at thresholds are particularly vulnerable to damage. There are a wide variety of profiles and trims available to provide edge protection and transitions at thresholds and between adjacent surfaces, resulting in durable, maintenance free tiled coverings. The profiles can be generally grouped into two categories, transitions between same height surfaces and transitions between different height surfaces. Selection of the appropriate transition profile will be determined on individual applications, taking account of the environment and traffic conditions, etc. When selecting transition profiles careful consideration should be given to the exposure of the profile to traffic load and chemical exposure. Where residential and light commercial environments are encountered the majority of material listed will be suitable, however for higher traffic loads, brass and stainless steel profiles would be preferable. Where floors are subjected to frequent wetting or have aggressive cleaning regimes, stainless steel profiles would be favourable.

4 Edge Protection Trim Transition Trim Installation (generic installation guidelines for profile with anchoring Select the profile according to the tile thickness. When using a ramp profile, it may need to be back filled with tile adhesive under the transition leg to provide full support. Using an appropriate notched trowel, apply cementitious adhesive to the area where the profile is to be placed. Press the anchoring leg into the fresh adhesive and align. Trowel additional tile adhesive over the anchoring leg to ensure full coverage and support of the tile edges. Solidly bed the tiles over the anchoring leg, so that the top of the tile is either flush with the top of the profile or up to 1 mm lower. Set the tile to leave a grout joint of approximately mm. Fill the joint completely with grout material and remove any residual from the visible surfaces of the profile. Stair nosing profiles Ceramic and stone tiles are hard and rigid materials whose exposed edges are prone to cracking and chipping when left unprotected. Tiled stair edges that do not utilise appropriate trim pieces are left vulnerable to chipping and breaking and can create a slip hazard, especially in exterior applications. Stair nosing profiles protect exposed tile edges and improve safety on tiled stairways by providing slip resistant wear surfaces and increased visibility in both residential and commercial applications. Various options are available to suit internal and external locations in all tiled applications including residential, commercial and industrial environments. Where compliance to current building regulations is required, e.g. DDA (The Disability Discrimination Act 1995) or Equality Act, then profiles are available to meet these needs. The advice provided within Approved Document M Access to and use of buildings states all nosings are made apparent by means of a permanently contrasting material 55 mm wide on both the tread and riser. Materials range from PVC to metal profiles and can allow for the tread area to be replaced on some options. Stair Nosing Profile DDA Compliant Profile

5 Installation (generic installation guidelines for profile with anchoring Select the profile according to the tile thickness. If appropriate, install the riser tile. Apply appropriate tile adhesive to the edge areas above the riser. If applicable, fill any cavities on the underside of the profile with appropriate tile adhesive, to ensure solid bedding. Press the profile into the adhesive and align. Trowel additional tile adhesive over the anchoring legs and remaining step area. Solid bed fix the step tiles so that the top of the profile is flush with the tiles. A joint of approximately 2-3 mm should be left between the profile and tile. Fill joint completely with grout. Installation (generic installation guidelines for profile without anchoring Ensure the step edge is clean and solid. Clean and degrease the profile if applicable. Adhere or mechanically fix the profile in line with the suppliers requirements. Movement joint profiles: Tile coverings expand and contract with changes in moisture, temperature and loading, therefore movement joints are an essential component in any tile assembly. Prefabricated movement joint profiles are available for intermediate, perimeter and connections to other building components. The profiles typically provide a durable and maintenance-free tile assembly giving edge protection to tile edges. Intermediate For dividing tiled areas. Perimeter For perimeter connections, e.g. floor to wall Connection Where tiling abuts other building structures, e.g. steps, door and window frames. Intermediate Profile Perimeter Profile Connecting Profile Profiles are available in a wide variety of materials and finishes, which are designed for certain applications, therefore it is important to select the correct movement joint profile for the tiled application. Points to consider: Areas of use, e.g. light or heavy duty. Exposure to moisture. Exposure to chemicals. Anticipated movement. Fixing method of tile covering.

6 Typically pre-formed movement joints are available, that can be fitted with a mortar bed or adhesive fixed tile coverings. The most common is usually the profiles with anchoring legs, which are used where tiles are fixed with adhesive. Generally movement joint profiles are manufactured with either PVC or metal anchoring legs, which should have large closely-spaced punched sections to allow tile adhesive to mechanically lock the profile and adequately support the tile edges. Metal anchoring legs will give greater protection to tile edges and should be used in heavy traffic areas. Anchoring legs without punched cut-out sections are not ideal and should be avoided where possible. The movement zone of these profile types is usually created with a synthetic compressible material, which is bonded or clamped to the anchoring legs. Where clamped systems are used it is usually possible to replace the movement zone. When selecting a movement joint profile, the type and amount of movement needs to be considered for each application, e.g. lateral and vertical movement. Where structural joints are being bridged it is important to use a specifically design joint for these areas. Consult with individual movement joint suppliers on the type to use in specific conditions, taking account of the movement capacity of the profile and the environment it is exposed to. Areas of use: PVC Residential and light commercial. Aluminium Residential and commercial. Brass Residential, commercial and industrial. Stainless steel Residential, commercial and industrial. Generic installation guidelines for movement joint profiles please consult individual manufacturers recommendations. Installation: Surface joints with anchoring legs Generally the height of the profile is selected to correspond to the thickness of the tile and adhesive bed. Using a notched trowel, apply tile adhesive over the area where the profile is to be placed. Press the perforated anchoring leg(s) of the profile into the adhesive and align. The profile must align with existing movement joints within the substrate. Trowel adhesive over the anchoring legs to ensure full coverage. Firmly press the adjoining tiles into place and adjust them so that the tiled surface is flush with the top of the profile. The tiles should be solidly bedded over the anchoring leg. (Note where heavy traffic is expected the profile height can be slightly higher than the tile thickness, so that a solid bed of adhesive can be ensured under and over the anchoring leg). Leave a joint of approximately 2 mm between the tile and profile. Fill the joint cavity between the tile and the profile completely with grout. Installation: Movement joint profiles mortar bed fixed Select the profile for the correct depth and application. Set the profile flush against the edge of the area already completed, inserting any anchoring ties, if required. Ensure that the profile is solidly bedded laterally. Install adjacent surface against the movement joint profile. Fill the remaining joint between the tile and profile with grout.

7 Tolerances on finished wall and floor level In accordance with BS , ideally there should be no appreciable difference in level across joints, however the maximum deviation between tile surfaces either side of a joint, including movement joints, should be as follows: 1. Joints less than 6 mm wide, 1 mm; 2. Joints 6 mm or more wide, 2 mm. Site cutting of pre-formed movement joints can be achieved using the appropriate method. PVC profiles can be cut using a proprietary pair of snips or hacksaw with an appropriate blade. Metal profiles can be cut using a hacksaw or angle grinder with the appropriate blade or disc. Specialist band saws and chop saws are available for cutting large quantities of profile; these can be obtained from various tool suppliers and manufacturers. Stainless steel products can be tarnished if the wrong cutting blade or disc is chosen, therefore correct selection is important. BS 8300: 2001 Design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people Code of Practice. BS 8300: 2001 provides recommendations and guidance that specifically relate to designing for visually impaired people, however this is not law, nor does it offer a guarantee of compliance with the law. Section 9 states: 9.1 Surface finishes Commentary on 9.1. Floor, wall and door and ceiling surfaces can help or hinder the use of buildings by disabled people. For example, people with sensory impairments may have difficulty finding their way around spaces if they cannot respond to visual cues. The extent to which floor, wall, door and ceiling surfaces enable disabled people to find and maintain their bearings and maintain their independent use of a building, is influenced by: a) the colour, light reflectance value (LRV) and texture of the surfaces; b) the treatment of components and finishing elements, such as doors, architraves, skirtings, cornices, handrails, etc. which define, or are contained within, these surfaces; c) the appropriate use of surfaces to clarify location and direction and to identify objects; BS 8300 and Light Reflectance Values (LRV s) Annex G of the British Standard expands upon the importance of good visual contrast to help visually impaired people differentiate and define surfaces. It equates colour with a light reflectance value (LRV) and, in principle, states that areas with higher LRV differentials (ideally upwards of 30 points) are more readily differentiated by the visually impaired. This means that colours with identifiable LRV s can be used together to develop design schemes that meet the recommendations of BS PPE Requirements Tile fixers should ensure their personal safety when cutting profiles by wearing the appropriate PPE for the task.