Specialty Tile Pieces: Thresholds, Coping, Stair Treads & More

When installing tile the main focus often falls on the field tiles, but specialty tile pieces can elevate a tile project from standard to stunning. Finishing elements, like bullnose, profile trims, stair treads, and coping can provide both functional transitions and aesthetic flair. Some tile finishing elements even add safety and accessibility to your space. In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of specialty tile pieces and how to use them effectively.

Bullnose Tile and Cove Base Tile

Specialty trim pieces like bullnose and cove base provide the finishing touches that make tile installations look polished and complete. They serve as transition pieces - most often on wall applications.

• Bullnose trim- Bullnose tiles feature a rounded edge, perfect for softening the exposed edges of backsplashes, shower niches, and countertops. They create smooth transitions and eliminate sharp edges, especially in wet areas. They come in single edge or corner edge varieties.

• Cove Base trim- Edge tiles that have a curved bottom edge to create a clean transition from wall to floor. Ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, or commercial spaces, they enhance hygiene by preventing moisture and debris buildup at the base of walls. These are most often seen in commercial applications where there might be more rigorous mopping, spills, or exposure to other liquids.

Why Use Bullnose Tile?

Bullnose tiles help create a safer environment by eliminating sharp tile edges and are especially useful for smooth transitions in wet areas.

1. Edges of tiled bathroom and kitchen backsplashes
2. Around shower niches and corners
3. Along the perimeter of tiled walls or countertops

Why Use Cove Base Tile?

1. At the base of tiled walls in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and mudrooms to create a seamless floor-to-wall transition
2. In commercial or healthcare environments where hygiene and cleanability are essential
3. Around the perimeter of showers or wet areas to help direct water back toward the drain and prevent moisture buildup at wall joints

Profile Trims

What are Profile Trims?

Profile trims (also known as "Tile Edge Trim", "Tile Edging", or sometimes "Schluter Trim") are metal or PVC edge protectors that serve as a sleek, contemporary alternative to bullnose tiles. They cap off tile edges cleanly while protecting them from chips and wear. These trims are available in finishes like matte black, brushed nickel, and chrome to match your fixtures.

Types of Profile Trims:

• Schluter Rondec – A rounded, symmetrical edge for smooth, curved transitions

• Schluter Jolly – A minimalist, square-edge trim perfect for clean, modern lines

• Schluter Schiene – A straight-edged transition strip often used where tile meets other flooring or to cap raw tile edges

Applications for Profile Trims:

1. Transitioning between tile and other flooring types
2. Framing accent walls or backsplashes
3. Providing a finished edge to wall tiles

Tile edge trim options vary in shape, including L-shaped and square profiles, and are essential in creating a polished, durable edge in modern installations. For more trim and transition options, check out Thresholds & Trim at Architessa.

Bar Liners, Quarter Round Pieces, and Decorative Moldings

Bar liners and quarter round tile pieces are often used to add subtle but elegant detailing to your tile layout. They can also serve as a finishing edge to applications like backsplashes and shower niches.

• Quarter Rounds - have a convex shape that offers a smooth, curved finish on corners or transitions. The cross-section resembles a quarter of a circle, giving this trim piece its name.
• Pencil Liners - similar to a bar liner, but often rounded.
• Bar Liners - narrow, raised strips used for visual breaks or borders.
• Flat Liners - similar to a bar liner, flat liners are flatter than the typical bar liner and are often used to frame niches or tile edges
• V-Cap - designed for countertops and other corner applications, V-cap liners wrap around a 90-degree edge
• Chair Rails - decorative trims that divide tile wainscoting or accent walls. Often used in traditional or classic designs, they add texture, dimension, and a finished look to backsplashes, mirrors, or tiled feature walls.

• Decorative Moldings - come in various shapes and patterns (fluted, rope, or embossed) and are used to elevate the overall design by adding architectural detail to tiled walls, mirrors, or fireplace surrounds.

Bar Liners and Trims Uses:

1. Framing tile wainscoting or mirror surrounds
2. Adding dimension to feature walls or niches
3. Smoothing edges at corners or where tile meets another surface
4. These small accents can elevate the sophistication of a tile installation, particularly in vintage or traditional designs.

Thresholds and Sill Pieces

What is a Threshold?

Thresholds and sills are functional specialty pieces used at transitions between different flooring materials or between rooms. A threshold typically spans the gap between two spaces (sometimes connecting different flooring types), while sill pieces are commonly used for shower curbs, entryways, or window ledges.

Different styles of tile or stone thresholds can accomplish different goals:

• Double Hollywood Bevel - A Double Hollywood Bevel threshold features a gentle bevel on both sides, creating a sloped transition from either direction. This style is particularly useful in areas where foot traffic or rolling objects (like wheelchairs or carts) need a smooth path between surfaces. It is a common choice for commercial spaces, ADA-compliant entries, and doorways connecting tile to lower-height flooring like carpet or vinyl.
• Single Hollywood Bevel - The Single Hollywood Bevel threshold has a sloped edge on one side only, making it ideal for transitions where only one side needs to accommodate a lower surface level. It's often used where tile meets hardwood or luxury vinyl planks and is a good choice when only one direction of traffic requires an eased transition, such as from a bathroom to a hallway.
• Sill - Sills are flat or subtly sloped pieces used most often at the base of doorways, windows, or shower entries. In bathrooms, they serve as shower curbs to keep water contained. In other spaces, they function as a sleek threshold between different flooring materials or rooms. Sills can be made of marble, stone, or porcelain, and they’re valued for their clean look and water-resistant properties.
• Double Bevel or Eased Edge - This threshold type features a slight, smooth bevel on both long edges, but with a more subtle slope than the Hollywood bevels. The eased edge gives a clean, finished appearance while still offering a minor transition between flooring surfaces. It's commonly used in residential spaces for a more minimal look or where ADA compliance isn't a requirement but a finished transition is still needed.

Threshold Tiles Uses:

1. Create a clean transition between two types of flooring
2. Prevent water migration in wet areas like showers
3. Add a durable and attractive finish to high-traffic transitions

These pieces are crucial in both residential and commercial applications, especially where durability and water resistance are key. Explore a wide selection of thresholds and trim options here.

Pool Coping, Grid Covers, and Drains

When you're hitting the pool deck in the summer, you might not always notice the pool tiles that make for a safe and stylish install.

Coping tiles are the finishing edge used around the perimeter of pools and spas. They provide both a visual frame and a functional barrier, helping protect the pool shell and offer a safe, rounded surface for swimmers. Splashing water needs somewhere to go - that's where drain and pool grid cover tile pieces come in handy.

Types of Pool Tiles:

• Bullnose Coping / Cantaliever Coping - for a comfortable, rounded edge
• Rectified Coping - for elegance and durability
• Coping Corners - Some pool coping manufacturers provide pre-cut coping corner pieces for easy installation at pool corners
• Drain / Grid Covers- for seamless integration over pool deck drainage systems - these specially designed pieces maintain the visual continuity of your tile or paver design while allowing water to flow freely beneath

Pool coping is often installed alongside tile pavers for surrounding decks, ensuring a cohesive, slip-resistant, and weather-resistant finish. If you’re designing an outdoor retreat, this detail is both essential and stylish.

Stair Treads and Stairnose Tiles

Tiling stairs adds drama and design continuity, but it also introduces the need for specialized pieces like stair treads and stairnose tiles. These pieces are designed with either a built-in bullnose edge or texturing to improve grip and visibility.

Stair Tread and Stairnose Uses:

1. Entry staircases in tiled foyers
2. Outdoor tiled steps with matching pavers
3. Commercial stairwells with anti-slip requirements

Stair tread tiles and stairnose pieces help prevent slips while also protecting the tile edges from wear. Some stair treads are made with built-in grooves or grip features for added safety. They’re available in coordinating designs to keep your aesthetic intact while meeting safety standards.

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Specialty tile pieces such as bullnose, profile trims, stair treads, thresholds, and pool coping are not just decorative extras—they’re essential to a high-quality tile installation. These elements protect your edges, provide transitions, and elevate your design with professional-grade finishing touches.

Whether you're tiling a luxurious bath, a tiled pool patio with coping and pavers, or a modern staircase with tile trim and stair treads, don’t overlook these essential components. They’re the small details that make a big difference.