Tile trim (edge trim / profile)

A tile trim (or edge trim / tile profile) is a manufactured strip — aluminium, stainless steel, brass or PVC — fitted at an exposed tile edge or external corner to finish it neatly and, crucially, to protect the most vulnerable part of a tiled surface: the edge and the corner, which otherwise chip easily. You see them at external corners (instead of mitring two tiles together), where tiling meets another surface (a wall edge, a worktop, a different floor), on step/stair nosings, and around niches and openings. They come in different profiles (square-edge, round, quadrant) and finishes to match or contrast the tile. The alternative to a trim is a mitred edge (cutting both tiles to 45° so they meet in a clean corner) — that looks seamless but is more skilled, more fragile and more expensive, which is one of the labour factors that drives a tiling cost. Choosing and fitting trims correctly is part of a proper job; a tiling and ceramics specialist will spec the right profile for each edge.