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Most folks know the days of “matching” bullnose for your next tile job are just about gone. One current popular trend to replace the lack of matching trim is to miter the edges by various means to create a very narrow joint between the two pieces. There are many opinions in the marketplace on mitered joints, some strongly support this method while others oppose it.

Currently, none of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) nor the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) documents offer any guidance on this topic. However, the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) Reference Manual chapter 9 – “Specialized Installation Procedures” – provides two pages of explanation.

It states, “Miters are typically used at wall returns, outside corners, curbs, benches, columns, recessed niches, and waterfall edges. The concern has become that miters have been taken to a level of tightness that, even though considered a mark of craftsmanship, the possible hazards to the end users and the longevity of the miter itself are being overlooked.”

The NTCA Reference Manual goes on to state, “The inherent nature of the materials being mitered often creates a sharp edge. This is especially true in wet areas where the possibility of slipping and falling could increase the chance of coming in contact with these mitered edges.”