Add a Tile Baseboard to a Bathroom

A tile baseboard can not only be an attractive addition to your tile floor, it also can protect the wall near your floor from unsightly marks from stains that may be inadvertently made. If you have installed wall tile and you'd like to add a tile baseboard to it you'll find installation of a tile baseboard surprisingly simple. Just follow the steps below.

Things you'll need:

• Tape measure
• Acrylic mastic
• V-notch trowel
• Grout
• Grout float
• Caulk
• Grout sealer
• Tile saw

Step 1 – Select Your Tile

In purchasing the tile you'll use for your tile baseboard, choose a color and pattern that will match your floor tile. If you are unable to find bull nose tile that will match, buy matching wall tile. As you purchase your tile, figure on using 2 baseboard tile for each floor tile.

Step 2 – Prepare your Tile and Wall

If you've purchased wall tile to use as your baseboard, you'll need to cut these tile to fit. Measure the height you want your baseboard to be, then cut to this measurement the tile you plan to use for your baseboard. You'll need an even and solid surface on which to attach your tile. If the surface on which you'll attach your tile has joint compound, grout, etc., remove it until you have a flat and even surface on your wall.

Step 3 – Apply Mastic

Using a V-notch trowel, apply mastic to the wall surface onto which you'll attach your tile baseboard. Limit the mastic to the amount you'll be able to cover with your tile within a five minute time period. Avoid spreading the mastic in a area on the wall surface higher than the baseboard tile height. You may find that your trowel width is greater than the height of the surface onto which you'll attach your tile. If so, apply the mastic to the rear surface of each tile, rather than on the wall.

Step 4 – Apply the Tile to the Wall Surface

With your mastic spread, begin attaching your tile to the wall area, using spacers between each tile piece. Fit two spacers between the floor and the bottom edge of each tile to create a uniform distance between each tile and will create a straight and even line of tiles. Give the mastic 24 hours to dry.

Step 5 – Apply Tile Caulk

Mix tile grout to a consistency that is thick enough that the grout will stay in place between the tiles.  Before applying it, remove all spacers from between the tiles. Push the grout into the spaces between the tiles and between the floor and the bottom row of tiles. Be sure the grout is tightly packed into these spaces. If you've installed your tile in a bathroom, run a bead of silicone caulk between the tiles and the floor. This will prevent water from the floor from seeping into the space behind the tiles. Use a caulk finishing tool to even the caulk in the spaces between floor and tile, then allow a drying time of about 72 hours.