My porcelain tile comes with a bullnose that I want to use as the baseboard. I found a response to another question, stating that the floor should be installed first, but I want a grout line between the floor tile and the baseboard, it would be very hard to make it uniform if the floor is installed first. Any thoughts; what is the standard practice?

Do you mean bull nose or cove base? Cove base can be installed on top of the floor tile or set flush. Usually installed on top to cover cut edge of the floor tile. Looks real nice installed flush but you have to make precise cuts of the last piece of floor tile, usually with a saw.

Do you mean bull nose or cove base? Cove base can be installed on top of the floor tile or set flush. Usually installed on top to cover cut edge of the floor tile. Looks real nice installed flush but you have to make precise cuts of the last piece of floor tile, usually with a saw.


It is bullnose, without the curve of a cove trim.

I am not sure yet we are talking about the right thing. A bullnose has a 90 degree curve along its top edge, a cove base is pretty similar but usually different size. Whatever it is the floor tile goes first. You are welcome to try it base first but you will need totally perfect cutting skills to make the job look perfect. Cove hides the imperfections of your cuts. It's a bit like quarter round used be sloppy carpet guys who rely on the quarter round covering the errors.

If it is just bull nose, rounded top edge, square bottom edge, you definitely want the floor down first.

Thank you both for your responses. Yes, it is just the rectangular bullnose with the sloped top.

Let us know how your project progresses. Tiling is one of my better skills.

We're just the professional tile supplier in this field, Stone China: Marble Granite Countertop Slab Marble Tile Granite Vanity Top. (http://www.apexstone.net).

In order to maintain an even grout line between floor and baseboard, use palstic spacers. These can be removed after tile sets.

The spacers come in various sizes. If possible use caulking the same color as grout. If grout is used in the corner, it may crack because of movement.

Good luck

Chuck