Main characteristics
The border tape has a plastic structure, thanks to which it adheres well even to uneven wall surfaces. High-quality fixation is provided by a special applicator on the edges of the product. When used, the tape is at an angle, which ensures that the water that falls on it drains into the bathroom. During the entire period of operation, the tape for the bath retains its flexible, durable structure, does not get wet, does not crack.
Bathtub tape
For mounting the tape, a complete set of materials is purchased, which consists of:
- curb tape rolled up;
- special knife for cutting;
- corners (they are included in sets with curly ribbons);
- applicator.
Curb tapes are available in a wide range of hardware stores and specialty markets. Prices for the most popular models of curbs are shown in the table:
| Manufacturer | Dimensions, mm | Cost, rubles |
| MakroPlast LWE | 20x340 | 520 |
| MakroPlast LWE | 30x340 | 700 |
| Ultima | 38x320 | 250 |
| Ultima | 30x320 | 280 |
| Unibob | 30х335 | 400 |
Installation steps
The process of installing adhesive tape is quite simple. You can deal with it without outside help. This is especially true for curbs with an existing adhesive layer. The whole procedure will take no more than an hour. In some cases, it may take longer to prepare the surface.
Preparatory work
The most important part of the instructions for installing curbs are the preparatory work. If you make a mistake at this stage, then the reliability of the glued tape will be extremely low. Approach to work should be as responsible as possible.
Preparing the surface is not so difficult. If an old tape is pasted on it, then it should be removed by removing the remnants of the sealant. The surface of the bathtub and the wall where the border will be glued must be degreased with an alcohol solution, diluted soda or a gentle cleaner.
After that, you will need to wipe the surface with a thick cloth or dry it with a hairdryer. It is better to use the second option, as it is more reliable.
Tools
Before gluing the borders, you need to make sure that you have all the tools and materials. Without them, the work cannot be done. In addition to the borders, you should prepare:
- mounting knife;
- roulette;
- masking tape;
- pencil;
- sealant;
- putty knife.
If you use a regular tape without an adhesive layer, you will need to additionally purchase an acrylic sealant or adhesive. These will be used to connect the curb to the wall and tub.
Strip cutting
A very important step is cutting the strips. The adhesive tape must match the length of the tub and its width. It is necessary to measure the necessary parameters and mark the places of the cut. When cutting the tape, keep in mind that it should be 2 cm longer than the bathtub border. Also, after that, it should be bent along the fold line and cut off the bottom corner at an angle of 45 °.
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Which border tape to choose
Self-adhesive tapes are made mainly from synthetic polymers, due to which they are distinguished by the necessary performance characteristics: moisture resistance, elasticity, resistance to temperature extremes and household chemicals. On the reverse surface of the tape, manufacturers apply an adhesive based on butanol. The shape of the borders are angular and figured. They go on sale in the form of rolls complete with an applicator and sometimes a construction knife.
Installation of a border tape for a bathroom
Figured curbs should also be equipped with a pair of corners.
When choosing a border tape, pay attention to several important nuances
Width. Too narrow a tape may not be enough to close the seam, and if it is too wide, the bathroom will take on a sloppy look.
The length of the material in a roll is usually within 3.5 meters. This is quite enough to paste over a rectangular bathtub on three sides, and an asymmetric or angular one, respectively, on two
But in any case, it is better to take all measurements in advance.
Color options can be very diverse, but white still remains a priority for manufacturers, so other shades often have to be searched for or bought on order.
Few people pay attention to the fact that the border tape has a shelf life, which, as a rule, does not exceed two years. When storing the material in an unacceptable temperature range or damaged packaging, the self-adhesive layer dries faster.
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Types of curb tape
Colored adhesive tape options
The sealing tape for the bathroom is made of polyethylene and, as such, has no structural varieties. But for the convenience of choice, this material is conditionally divided into types according to a number of external features and installation technology. These signs include:
- Product width. Adhesive tape for the bathroom has a range of sizes in width, in order to be able to choose the right material for a specific joint thickness. In the vast majority, the kit includes a strip with a length of 320 or 350 millimeters. In width there are tapes measuring 20, 40 and 60 millimeters. This length is quite enough for the sealed tape-border for the bathroom to completely cover the three sides of the standard font, the length and two end sections.
- Product color. Most tapes are white by default, but major plumbing stores have a wide range of different colors. Colored border tape for the bathroom allows you to choose the material to match the color of the interior or as similar as possible to it.
- Mounting method. The vast majority of products are manufactured with a self-adhesive surface, which allows you to mount the tape without additional adhesives. But there are models that do not have an adhesive side and such a bathtub sealing tape is mounted on neutral silicone or acrylic sealant.
- Decorative performance. It is rare to find such products on sale that have curly trimming or even decorative embossing, but such a curly bathroom border tape is not particularly popular because of its overpriced cost.
The differences described above can be called conditional, but it is necessary to know them in order to select the appropriate model for a particular case. What waterproofing tapes look like can be seen in the photo in the article.
Varieties of curb tape
In the manufacture of self-adhesive tapes, mainly synthetic materials are used. Thanks to this, the bathtub borders have the following technical characteristics:
- Elasticity.
- Moisture resistance.
- Resistant to household chemicals.
- Resistant to changes in temperature and humidity.
These are the main criteria when choosing a material for bathroom cladding. Many manufacturers are engaged in manufacturing, so the choice should be approached responsibly. Read reviews and choose curb tape only from trusted suppliers.
Three rolls of border tape
Bathtub borders are supplied by the manufacturer to the market in the form of rolls and have an adhesive on the back. Also included is a special applicator, with which you can easily select the corner of the joint. If we talk about the varieties of products, then you need to understand that they are absent.
Here are a few highlights that make self-adhesive borders slightly different:
- Form. The tape can be angular or curly. The curly tape has an average longitudinal sector, on which there is no adhesive composition.
- Width. The width should be chosen depending on the size of the resulting gap.
- Length. Usually rolls of 3.5 meters are sold. This is enough to paste over the bath, but it is better to take measurements before buying.
- Colors. By standard, the tape always comes in white.However, in specialized stores you can find a border tape in pink, turquoise, beige and other shades.
Border tape can be made in different colors
These are the main differences that this product boasts
Before buying, please note that the curb tape is designed to seal the seam between the bathroom and the wall
If it is interesting, then you can read the recommendations for choosing a bimetallic radiator.
Characteristics of the curb tape
Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of different decorative masking of such gaps. Among them, bathroom curb tape has gained quite a lot of popularity. It is an adhesive-based strip made of polymers. This material is highly resistant to various resistant chemicals and acids. In addition, such decor is hydrophobic and does not contribute to the appearance of harmful microorganisms on its surface.
This is what a self-adhesive bathroom border tape looks like
Such a sealant has an affordable cost, it is easy to install and dismantle if necessary. In addition, the material has a rich color palette and looks very attractive throughout the entire service life.
The scope of polymer strips is very wide. They can be used in almost any premises with different functional purposes. Therefore, when purchasing a product, specify where you plan to use it. In the bathroom, border decors can be used to decorate the seams between the walls and any plumbing, including shower boxes and washbasins.
The product is produced in small rolls about three meters long.
The product is released in bundles. The length of one such roll is about three meters. In this case, the thickness and width of the decor may vary. The entire wrong side of the strip is impregnated with butyl adhesive, which will allow it to be hermetically installed on the problem area. The material itself is quite hygienic, although for reliability it is impregnated with antifungal additives, which exclude the occurrence of mold at the site of the joints.
Among the analogues made of polymers presented for these purposes, decorative borders will be the best choice. Other plastic skirting boards will not be able to effectively resist the growth of fungal microorganisms. As for the capital sewing of the joint with tiles or porcelain stoneware, such an event will require long-term work and certain skills in facing. In addition, this material will cost significantly more, and will require additional measures to seal the seam.
Installing the tape at the junction
Pre-apply the tape and measure the desired segments
In order for the waterproofing tape for the bathroom to serve for a long time, it is necessary to strictly observe the sizing technology. For a better description of the process, we will provide step-by-step instructions and at the end of the article we attach video material that will show everything clearly. So, the installation process is as follows:
The bathtub adhesive tape is laid starting from the longest joint section. To do this, we measure the segment we need by leaning it against a long section and cut it off with a clerical knife
It is very important here that the bathroom adhesive tape is measured without tension, otherwise you will end up with an uneven edging.
Then we bend the border tape in half along the entire length of the segment so that its adhesive side is outside.
Then we remove about 5-6 centimeters of the protective film from the adhesive surface and glue it clearly to the junction, starting from the corner. Then unfold the tape and, using a rubber spatula or finger, press the remaining parts to the surfaces as tightly as possible
The harder you press, the stronger the silicone bathroom tape will be glued to the joint.
After the first section (5-6 cm) is glued, remove another 3-4 centimeters of the protective tape and glue it again. And so on the entire length of the segment.
Installing the mounting tape on the joint
- In the same way, measure and paste the remaining sections of the joint. In places of corner joints, pasting is carried out with an overlap on the previous layer.
- At the end of pasting, the bathtub border tape is cut in the corners with a clerical knife at an angle of 45 degrees. In this case, the depth of the cut should affect both tapes, after which we leave it all for 24 hours for complete shrinkage of the material.
If after 24 hours you find that the tape around the bathtub has peeled off in some places, then most likely these places were damp or not sufficiently degreased. In this case, you can glue these areas using liquid nails or any other high-quality glue. If you use a wide border tape for the bathroom, then it is advisable to carry out its installation at a temperature not lower than +10 degrees, and also to prevent low temperatures during the shrinkage of the material throughout the day.
After reading the material presented in the article, you already know how to install a polyethylene or silicone tape for bathtubs and will be able to carry out the installation yourself.
The main advantages of using border tapes
Curb tape is the most affordable and easy-to-install material. Numerous consumer reviews speak of the merits of this joint sealing method. Here are their main advantages:
- Affordable price.
- Fast installation. Anyone can paste.
- Reliable seam sealing.
- Due to the fact that the adhesive composition is applied over the entire surface of the tape, it perfectly adheres to the surface of the bath rim and the wall.
- It does not collapse under the action of loads, it is resistant to various damages and impacts.
- It has a high degree of plasticity, it bends perfectly at any angle, it does not form cracks.
The disadvantages of the material include its fragility. Unlike ceramic edging, which can last for decades, a flexible bathroom edging will need to be replaced after 2-3 years. However, due to the affordable price and ease of installation, the need for replacement will not create any special problems.
Types of curb tape
Colored adhesive tape options
The sealing tape for the bathroom is made of polyethylene and, as such, has no structural varieties. But for the convenience of choice, this material is conditionally divided into types according to a number of external features and installation technology. These signs include:
- Product width. Adhesive tape for the bathroom has a range of sizes in width, in order to be able to choose the right material for a specific joint thickness. In the vast majority, the kit includes a strip with a length of 320 or 350 millimeters. In width there are tapes measuring 20, 40 and 60 millimeters. This length is quite enough for the sealed tape-border for the bathroom to completely cover the three sides of the standard font, the length and two end sections.
- Product color. Most tapes are white by default, but major plumbing stores have a wide range of different colors. Colored border tape for the bathroom allows you to choose the material to match the color of the interior or as similar as possible to it.
- Mounting method. The vast majority of products are manufactured with a self-adhesive surface, which allows you to mount the tape without additional adhesives. But there are models that do not have an adhesive side and such a bathtub sealing tape is mounted on neutral silicone or acrylic sealant.
- Decorative performance. It is rare to find such products on sale that have curly trimming or even decorative embossing, but such a curly bathroom border tape is not particularly popular because of its overpriced cost.
The differences described above can be called conditional, but it is necessary to know them in order to select the appropriate model for a particular case. What waterproofing tapes look like can be seen in the photo in the article.
How to make the right choice
In addition to the functional load as a sealing object, the tape also has a decorative function.It gives the bathroom a finished look, curly, colored products increase the attractiveness of the interior. When choosing a suitable belt model, several characteristics need to be evaluated:
- product width - with a large gap, you should not purchase the narrowest model 2 cm thick, it may not be enough. And an overly wide model may not look aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, a self-adhesive border should be purchased with a width equal to the width of the joint with a margin of approximately 10-15 mm;
- the standard length of the product does not exceed 3.5 m. For classic-shaped baths, one roll is enough to seal joints on three sides, for angular, asymmetric models - on two. If the font has non-standard dimensions, then more than one roll of tape may be required;
- colored, curly models have a more attractive appearance, but are rarely found on sale. Classic white color with a smooth texture will suit any interior.
materials
The main criterion by which borders for bathtubs and sinks are chosen is the material of manufacture.
Polyethylene tape border for sinks and bathrooms
Reliably seal openings from moisture. They are easy to operate and cheap compared to other materials. There is a wide range of border tapes of different widths, lengths and colors. The tape has a self-adhesive base, so even a child can handle pasting such a border.
A significant disadvantage of such a border is its fragility. Such borders are usually used as a temporary solution to the problem. If you want to extend the life of your curb tape and provide better protection against moisture, you can additionally use a sealant under the tape. However, even with this method of use, the tape will serve you for several months, no more.
Plastic
The next longest curb is the plastic curb. Made of a very practical and at the same time inexpensive plastic, such a border is securely attached to the bathtub and the wall using special glue. At the same time, plastic borders are very light and do not weigh down the structure, they are easy to mount and easy to wash. They go well with any material. However, such borders also have their disadvantages - plastic can fade and darken over time, scratches easily remain on it, and soon you will also have to replace it.
Ceramic
It should be selected for the tiles used in the decoration of the bathroom. Such borders are much more durable than those described above, and can serve you for decades. Ceramic provides good sealing and is strong in itself. However, you need to be careful - if installed incorrectly, the ceramic border may crack.
Installation of ceramic borders involves the use of special equipment and certain skills.
A natural stone
Such borders, of course, require an appropriate interior. Marble and granite borders are almost eternal, but in a small bathroom lined with ordinary ceramic tiles, they will look ridiculous. They are quite bulky and require certain skills during installation.
Device
Curb tape is a special means for sealing seams, which is a long strip of polymer-based, impregnated on one side with a butyl adhesive. It is sold in the form of rolls up to 3 meters long. One package of such a sealant is enough to seal the seams between the bathroom and the walls. Curb self-adhesive tape has the following properties:
- Moisture resistance. The polymers from which the sealant for the joints in the bathroom is made are not subjected to the destructive action of moisture. In addition, the sealing tape does not absorb water, it repels it.
- Chemical resistance.The material from which the seal is made is well tolerated by the aggressive household chemicals used to clean the bath.
- Stable adhesion. Thanks to the adhesive butyl layer and the active adhesion that it possesses, the sealant is firmly fixed on any type of finishing materials.
Benefits of using border tape
Using edging tape to seal bathroom joints is a common option as it's cheap and easy. Bathroom edging has a short lifespan and does not tolerate the presence of acidic silicones. Polyethylene, from which the curb tape is made, has a lot of advantages.
The advantages of curb tape include the following factors:
- low material cost;
- ease of installation;
- neat appearance;
- reliable protection against moisture;
- the material tolerates temperature changes well;
- prevents the development of mold and mildew;
- perfectly hides uneven joints;
- does not crack under shock loads;
- not exposed to household chemicals;
- has an optimal balance of flexibility and rigidity;
- high plasticity (it is easy to lay down both on rectangular joints and on curved planes).
Curb tape is supplied in compact rolls
These tapes are manufactured by a number of companies around the world. They create high-quality moisture-resistant material that meets sanitary standards. This cladding element is supplied to the market in the form of compact rolls in the manufacturer's packaging.
Preparing to install the curb tape
Pre-sealing a wide joint with sealant
Before gluing the tape to the bathtub, a number of preparatory work is required to ensure the proper level of adhesion and reliable waterproofing. The fact is that the bath curb tape is not installed over a gap that exceeds 2 millimeters, such a gap must first be sealed. Further steps for surface preparation are carried out according to the following scheme:
- Seam pre-sealing. Many masters, before sticking the tape on a bathtub with a large gap, initially seal it with acrylic sealant or tile adhesive. This is necessary because if there is a void under the curb, it can be easily damaged by pressing a finger. In addition, this free space without proper ventilation will become a source of mold.
- Surface cleaning. Self-adhesive bathroom tape requires a perfectly clean and grease-free surface, only in this case a snug fit and complete sealing of the joint is guaranteed. The joint must be cleaned of dust and dried well using a building or home hair dryer.
After all these steps have been completed, you can begin installing the bathroom curb tape.
Important. If the tape does not have a self-adhesive surface and a special adhesive solution is included with the product, then the installation of the border tape on the bath is carried out after preliminary priming of the junction
Installation of curb tape sequence and nuances of installation work
The figured tape differs from the usual angular one by the presence of an average longitudinal sector, on which there is no adhesive composition.
Curly and corner tape
The peculiarity of the installation lies in the preliminary marking. It is performed using the side corners that come with the material. It is this more complex option that we will consider in more detail! Since even a moisture-resistant marker will be problematic to wash off, the border of the outer edges of the curly tape is marked with construction tape, removed after gluing the border
Before gluing the border tape, it is marked and cut, taking into account that the length of the segment is 2-3 cm longer than the length of the corresponding side.After that, the material is bent, bent along the fold line and heated with a hair dryer. The warm tape becomes more elastic, which reduces the risk of premature peeling.
Installation of curb tape
Start gluing the border on the joint between the bathroom and the tile from the corner, carefully, 15-20 cm each, removing the protective film that covers the adhesive surface. During installation, it is tightly pressed with an applicator. The quality of bonding, and, accordingly, the service life of the curb, depends on how strongly the material is pressed.
Particular attention should be paid to the tightness of the tape at the points of contact with the tile joint.
You need to glue the material in the corner especially carefully, because the whole appearance of the border will largely depend on this. In the case of a curly tape, we will have corners to which we will be attached, but with a corner tape we will have to tinker a little: in order for the tape to lie flat, its upper bend, which is in contact with the wall, is left flat, and the lower one, which lies on the side of the bathroom, is cut at an angle of 45° from the middle to the outer edge of the edge. The joints of the tape in the corners are insulated with sanitary sealant for the bathroom.
Installation of curb tape
During the day, while the glue dries, it is not recommended to use plumbing. If after this time it turned out that in some places the tape has peeled off, it is glued with sealant or liquid nails glue.
