Border tape for sealing a bathtub with a wall: how to properly glue the corner tape, types, video

No matter how hard the most skilled craftsmen try when renovating a bathroom, it will never be possible to lean the bathroom as tightly as possible against the wall, even if the wall surface is perfectly flat. Any bathtub, no matter what material it is made of, has its own irregularities and will not form a tight seal. It is in such cases that border tape for the bathroom is used, which will ensure a tight connection and at the same time decoratively decorate the joint. In this article we will analyze what types of tapes there are, briefly study their installation technology, and also describe the advantages of this material based on reviews from experts.

Main characteristics

The border tape has a plastic structure, thanks to which it adheres well even to uneven wall surfaces. High-quality fixation is ensured by a special applicator on the edges of the product. When used, the tape is at an angle, which ensures that water falling on it drains into the bathroom. Throughout its entire service life, the bathtub tape retains its flexible, strong structure, does not get wet or crack.

Bath border tape

To install the tape, a complete set of materials is purchased, which consists of:

curb tape rolled into a roll;
special knife for cutting;
corners (they are available in sets with curly ribbons);
applicator.

Border tapes are available in a wide range in construction stores and specialized markets. Prices for the most popular curb models 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	30x335	400

Installation steps

The process of installing adhesive tape is quite simple. You can cope with it without outside help. This is especially true for borders with an existing adhesive layer. The whole procedure will take no more than an hour. In some cases, more time may be required to prepare the surface.

Preparatory work

The most important part of the instructions for installing curbs is the preparatory work. If you make a mistake at this stage, the reliability of the glued tape will be extremely low. You should approach your work as responsibly as possible.

Preparing the surface is not that difficult. If there is old tape stuck on it, it should be removed by removing any remaining 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 cleaning agent.

After this, 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 borders, you need to make sure you have all the tools and materials. Without them it will not be possible to complete the work. In addition to borders, you should prepare:

mounting knife;
roulette;
masking tape;
pencil;
sealant;
putty knife.

If you use regular tape without an adhesive layer, you will need to additionally purchase acrylic sealant or glue. They will be used to connect the border to the wall and the bathroom.

Cutting strips

A very important step is cutting the strips. The adhesive tape must match the length of the tub and its width. You need to measure the necessary parameters and mark the cut locations. When cutting the tape, keep in mind that it should be 2 cm longer than the curb of the bathtub. Also, after this, it should be bent along the fold line and the lower corner should be cut off at an angle of 45°.

This is interesting: How to align the corners in the bathroom - we present it in detail

Which border tape to choose

Self-adhesive tapes are made primarily from synthetic polymers, due to which they differ in the necessary performance characteristics: moisture resistance, elasticity, resistance to temperature changes and household chemicals. Manufacturers apply a butanol-based adhesive to the back surface of the tape. The shape of the borders can be angular or curly. They go on sale in the form of rolls, complete with an applicator and sometimes a construction knife.

Installation of curb tape for the bathroom

Curved borders should also be equipped with a pair of corners.

When choosing a border tape, pay attention to several important nuances

Width. A tape that is too narrow may not be enough to cover the seam, and if it is too wide, the bathroom will look sloppy. The length of the material in a roll is usually within 3.5 meters. This is quite enough to cover a rectangular bathtub on three sides, and an asymmetrical or corner bathtub on two sides, respectively.

But in any case, it is better to take all measurements in advance. There can be a wide variety of color options, but white remains the priority for manufacturers, so other shades often have to be searched for or purchased to order. Few people pay attention to the fact that curb tape has a shelf life, which, as a rule, does not exceed two years. When the material is stored in an unacceptable temperature range or the packaging is damaged, the self-adhesive layer dries faster.

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Types of border tape

Colored options for adhesive tape

Bathroom sealing tape is made of polyethylene and does not have any design variations as such. But for ease of selection, this material is conventionally 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 so that you can choose the appropriate material for a specific seam thickness. In the vast majority, the kit includes a strip 320 or 350 millimeters long. There are tapes in widths of 20, 40 and 60 millimeters. This length is quite enough for the sealed border tape for the bathroom to completely cover three sides of a standard font, the length and two end sections.
Product color. Most tapes are made white by default, but in large plumbing stores you can find 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 close as possible to it.
Installation method. The vast majority of products are manufactured with a self-adhesive surface, which allows the tape to be mounted without additional adhesives. But there are models that do not have an adhesive side and such a sealing tape for the bathtub is mounted on neutral silicone or acrylic sealant.
Decorative design. It is rare to find products on sale that have figured trimming or even decorative embossing, but such figured border tape for the bathroom is not particularly popular due to its inflated 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. You can see what waterproofing tapes look like in the photo in the article.

Types of border tape

In the manufacture of self-adhesive tapes, predominantly synthetic materials are used. Thanks to this, bath 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 material for bathroom cladding. Many manufacturers are engaged in production, so the choice should be approached responsibly. Study reviews and choose curb tape only from trusted suppliers.

Three rolls of border tape

Bath borders are supplied to the market by the manufacturer in the form of rolls and have an adhesive composition on the back side. Also included is a special applicator, with which you can easily highlight the joint angle. If we talk about varieties of products, then you need to understand that they are absent.

Here are a few key points that make the self-adhesive border a little different:

Form. The tape can be angular or figured. The figured tape has a middle longitudinal sector, on which there is no adhesive composition.
Width. The width should be selected depending on the size of the gap formed.
Length. Rolls of 3.5 meters are usually sold. This is enough to cover a bathtub, but it’s better to take measurements before purchasing.
Colors. According to the standard, the tape always comes in white. However, in specialized stores you can find border tape in pink, turquoise, beige and other shades.

The border tape can be made in different colors.
These are the main differences that this product can boast of.

Before purchasing, make sure that the border tape is designed to seal the seam between the bathtub and the wall

If you are interested, then you can read the recommendations on choosing a bimetallic radiator.

Characteristics of border tape

Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of different decorative disguises for such gaps. Among them, bathroom border tape has become quite popular. It is an adhesive-based strip made of polymers. This material is highly resistant to various persistent chemicals and acids. In addition, such decor is hydrophobic and does not contribute to the emergence of harmful microorganisms on its surface.

This is what self-adhesive bathroom curb tape looks like

This sealant is affordable and easy to install and dismantle if necessary. In addition, the material has a rich color palette and looks very attractive throughout its entire service life.

The scope of application of polymer strips is very wide. They can be used in almost any room with different functional purposes. Therefore, when purchasing a product, check where you plan to use it. In the bathroom, border decors can be used to decorate the seams between the walls and any plumbing fixtures, 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 back surface 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 prevent the occurrence of mold at the joint seams.

Among the polymer analogues presented for these purposes, decorative borders will be the best choice. Other plastic skirting boards will not be able to resist the proliferation of fungal microorganisms as effectively. As for the complete sealing of the joint with tiles or porcelain stoneware, such an undertaking will require lengthy work and certain skills in cladding. In addition, this material will cost significantly more, and will require additional measures to seal the seam.

Installing the tape at the joint

First apply the tape and measure the required lengths

In order for the waterproofing tape for the bathroom to serve for a long time, it is necessary to strictly follow the sizing technology. To better describe 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 looks like this:

Bathtub adhesive tape is laid starting from the longest section of the joint. To do this, we measure the segment we need by leaning it against the long section and cut it off with a utility knife.

It is very important here that the adhesive tape for the bathroom is measured without tension, otherwise you will end up with an uneven edge. Then we bend the border tape in half along the entire length of the segment so that its adhesive side is on the outside. Then we remove about 5-6 centimeters of the protective film from the adhesive surface and glue it clearly to the joint, starting from the corner. Then unroll the tape and, using a rubber spatula or finger, press the remaining parts to the surfaces as firmly 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 along the entire length of the segment.

Installing mounting tape at the joint

In the same way, measure and glue the remaining sections of the joint. In places of corner joints, pasting is carried out overlapping the previous layer.
At the end of the pasting, the bath border tape is cut at the corners with a stationery 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 the material to completely shrink.

If after 24 hours you find that the tape around the bathtub has come 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 curb tape for the bathroom, then it is advisable to install it at a temperature not lower than +10 degrees, and also avoid 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 polyethylene or silicone tape for bathtubs and will be able to carry out the installation yourself.

Installation of the product - recommendations and nuances

Before starting to seal the joint with tape, experienced craftsmen advise filling the seam with plumbing silicone. To do this, it is better to choose a material on a neutral basis. Of course, after the sealant has cured, you should remove its excess and clean the surfaces of dust and debris. Next, you need to wait until the surfaces are completely dry if the cleaning was wet. This completes the preliminary preparation stage.

Now your task is to tightly and neatly glue the decor to both surfaces. To do this, mark a piece of the required length. In this case, it is optimal to start gluing from the long side of the bathtub. Bend the prepared element along the marked lines with the adhesive part facing out. Of course, for inexperienced craftsmen, two-strip tapes will be the best option.

Next, remove about 6 centimeters of the protective layer and press the decor tightly onto both planes. In the same way, gradually pressing the tape and simultaneously removing the film from it, carefully cover the entire length of the container.

Using the same principle, decorate the side edges of the bathtub. In this case, special attention should be paid to the junction of the two strips in the corners. To do this, glue the material overlapping, and then use a sharp knife to remove the excess, forming a neat angle of forty-five degrees.

After finishing the treatment of the lumen, leave the material to dry. It is not recommended to use the bathtub or sink during the day. After this time, check the quality of the seal. If the strip does not stick well in some areas, it is advisable to fix it with liquid nails or another adhesive.

Remember that all work must be carried out on a dry and clean surface at room temperature. It is also important not to use material that has been stored for more than two years.

As you can see, installing curb tape is not particularly difficult. At the same time, you will receive an impeccably designed and sealed joint between walls and plumbing, which prevents the appearance and proliferation of mold. Even despite the relatively short service life of the product, this method of sealing unsightly cracks will become quite appropriate. After all, the low cost of such decor will allow you to easily replace it when the need arises.

The main problem in the bathroom is excess moisture. It can negatively affect the condition of the premises. Therefore, much attention is paid to sealing and waterproofing. The problem area is the gap that forms between the bathtub and the walls. Bathroom border tape is suitable even for beginners who are not particularly familiar with renovation work. It is enough to stick it on the formed joint to seal it.

The main advantages of using border strips

Border tape is the most affordable and easy-to-install material. Numerous consumer reviews speak of the advantages of this method of joint sealing. Here are their main advantages:

Affordable price.
Quick installation. Anyone can glue it.
Reliable sealing of seams.
Due to the fact that the adhesive composition is applied over the entire surface of the tape, it adheres perfectly to the surface of the side of the bathtub and the wall.

It does not wrinkle under loads, it is resistant to various damages and impacts.
It has a high degree of plasticity, it bends perfectly at any angle, and no cracks form on it.

The disadvantages of the material include its fragility. Unlike ceramic curbs, which can last for decades, a flexible bathtub curb 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.

Technology of use

Using a tape border to waterproof seams in a bathroom is quite simple. Even a person without construction experience can cope with this task. In addition, provided that self-adhesive models are used, no additional tools or materials are required for installation. The seal is glued using the following technology:

First, the surface of the tiles and bathtubs on which the tape will be glued is prepared for work. To do this, they must be thoroughly cleaned, degreased, and then thoroughly dried.
Cleaning up debris
Read also: Do you need a niche in the bathroom and how to make it from plasterboard?
The curb is then cut into sections of the required length to seal the gaps between the wall and the bathtub.
The border is bent along the notch along the entire length of the cut, and then pressed tightly against the surface of the wall and the side of the bathtub.
In this way, all joints are glued, carefully pressing the tape to the surface.
Gluing tape

Please note that after gluing the tape to waterproof joints in the bathroom, it is better not to use water for 24 hours so that the glue adheres properly to the surface of the tile and the fixation becomes reliable.

Types of border tape

Colored options for adhesive tape

Product width. Adhesive tape for the bathroom has a range of sizes in width so that you can choose the appropriate material for a specific seam thickness. In the vast majority, the kit includes a strip 320 or 350 millimeters long. There are tapes in widths of 20, 40 and 60 millimeters. This length is quite enough for the sealed border tape for the bathroom to completely cover three sides of a standard font, the length and two end sections.
Product color. Most tapes are made white by default, but in large plumbing stores you can find 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 close as possible to it.
Installation method. The vast majority of products are manufactured with a self-adhesive surface, which allows the tape to be mounted without additional adhesives. But there are models that do not have an adhesive side and such a sealing tape for the bathtub is mounted on neutral silicone or acrylic sealant.
Decorative design. It is rare to find products on sale that have figured trimming or even decorative embossing, but such figured border tape for the bathroom is not particularly popular due to its inflated cost.

What is a bathroom baseboard?

Bathroom baseboard seals the joint

The main purpose of a plastic skirting board is to seal the junction of the bathtub with the adjacent surface in order to prevent the penetration of moisture. The second purpose is to decorate the junction, but this function is considered secondary and most manufacturers do not pay special attention to appearance. The main advantage of this type of seam sealing is the speed of installation and low cost.

Important! In most cases, plastic bathroom corners are installed only after preliminary preparation of the base. Preliminary preparation includes sealing a large gap using cement mortar, foam or sealant, then installing the baseboard itself at the final stage.

How to make the right choice

In addition to its functional function as a sealing object, the tape also has a decorative function. It gives the bathroom a finished look; shaped, colored products increase the attractiveness of the interior. When choosing a suitable tape model, you need to evaluate several characteristics:

width of the product - if there is a large gap, you should not purchase the narrowest model with a thickness of 2 cm, it may not be enough. An overly wide model may not look aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, you should purchase a self-adhesive border 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 bathtubs of classic shapes, one roll is enough to seal joints on three sides, for corner, asymmetrical models - on two. If the font has non-standard dimensions, then more than one roll of tape may be required;
colored, figured models have a more attractive appearance, but are rarely found on sale. The 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 border tape for sinks and bathtubs

Reliably seal the holes from moisture. They are easy to use 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 gluing such a border.

A significant disadvantage of such a border is its fragility. Such curbs are usually used as a temporary solution to the problem. If you want to extend the life of the curb tape and provide more reliable protection from moisture, you can additionally use a sealant under the tape. However, even with this method of use, the tape will last you several months, no more.

Plastic

The next longest lasting curb is a plastic curb. Made of very practical and at the same time inexpensive plastic, such a border is securely attached to the bathtub and wall using special glue. At the same time, plastic borders are very light and do not weigh down the structure; they are easy to install and easy to clean. They go well with any materials. However, such borders also have their drawbacks - the plastic can fade and darken over time, it is easily scratched, and soon you will also have to replace it.

Ceramic

It should be matched to the tiles used in the bathroom. Such borders are much more durable than those described above and can serve you for decades. Ceramics provide good sealing and are durable in themselves. However, you need to be careful - if installed incorrectly, the ceramic border may crack.

Installation of ceramic borders requires the use of special equipment and certain skills.

A natural stone

Such borders certainly 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.

Solution

The easiest way to fix a leak is to fill the joint with cement mortar.

The procedure is as follows:

the joint surfaces are cleaned of dirt and dust;
to prevent the mortar from falling through, the gap is filled with rags soaked in cement mortar;
apply a solution of medium thickness to a pre-moistened surface;
a tile border is laid on top;
if the bathroom walls are simply painted, the joint can be painted with the same paint.

Sealing the crack with mortar

Device

Border tape is a special means for sealing seams, which is a long strip of polymer base, impregnated on one side with a butyl adhesive. It is sold in rolls up to 3 meters long. One package of this sealant is enough to seal the seams between the bathroom and the walls. Self-adhesive border tape has the following properties:

Moisture resistance. The polymers from which the sealant for seams in the bathroom is made is not subject to the destructive effects of moisture. In addition, the sealing tape does not absorb water and repels it.
Chemical resistance. The material from which the seal is made withstands the effects of aggressive household chemicals used to clean the bathtub.
Stable adhesion. Thanks to the adhesive butyl layer and the active adhesion it has, the seal is firmly fixed on any type of finishing material.

Advantages

Bath border tape has become a cheaper and more practical alternative to ceramic corners, which are used to seal the seams between the wall and the side of the bath. The polymer seal is perfectly adapted to the conditions of the bathroom; it effectively combats the penetration of water into the smallest gaps. The advantages of this method of sealing joints are:

Affordable price. The most important advantage of polymer tape for sealing seams is its low cost. Due to its low price, it can be used even with the most modest renovation budget.
Flexibility. The polymer self-adhesive seal bends well, taking the shape of the surface, so it can even be used to seal bathtubs of non-standard shape - round, oval, asymmetrical.
Variety of colors. The most common shade of polymer border for sealing joints in the bathroom is white. But the wide range of colors allows you to accurately match the tape to the color of the wall cladding so that the decoration of the room looks harmonious.

Please note that this method of sealing joints in the bathroom has its drawbacks, the main one of which is considered to be low resistance to acid-containing cleaning products for plumbing fixtures. In addition, the sealing tape has a fairly short service life. Manufacturers only provide a one-year warranty for this category of product, but with careful use it can last up to 5 years.

Benefits of using border tape

Using curb tape to seal joints in a bathroom is a common option as it is a cheap and easy method. Bathroom border tape has a short service life and does not tolerate the presence of acidic silicones. The polyethylene from which border tape is made has many advantages.

The advantages of curb tape include the following factors:

low cost of material;
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 ductility (easy to fit both on rectangular joints and on curved planes).

Border tape is supplied in the form of compact rolls.
A number of enterprises around the world are engaged in the production of these tapes. 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.

Reasons for use

The main condition for the absence of excess moisture and fungus in the bathroom is careful sealing of all seams and gaps into which water can leak. Often, gaps remain when installing a bathtub close to the walls of the room due to a mismatch between the size of the model and the room. To seal this seam, depending on its width, use silicone sealant, curb tape, ceramic or plastic corner, and moisture-resistant solution. If you leave the seams unspecified, the following unpleasant consequences will occur in the bathroom:

Excessive humidity. When using a bath or shower, water will get into the gap between the container and the wall, causing a puddle to form on the floor that won't dry out.
Border tape
Spread of fungus. Due to the increased humidity, which is formed when water penetrates through the gaps between the bathtub and the wall, conditions in the bathroom create favorable conditions for the spread of fungus.
Spread of fungus
Unpleasant smell. Due to high humidity and the spread of mold, an unpleasant, musty odor may appear in the bathroom, which is difficult to get rid of.

Note! Mold on the seams and wall cladding in the bathroom is not just a cosmetic defect that spoils the appearance of the room, it is a serious violation of sanitary standards. Spores spread by the fungus enter the human lungs, making breathing difficult and causing allergic reactions.

Preparing for installation of curb tape

Preliminary sealing of a wide seam 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 curb tape for the bathtub is not installed over a gap that exceeds 2 millimeters; such a gap must first be sealed. Further steps to prepare the surface are carried out according to the following scheme:

Preliminary sealing of the seam. Many craftsmen, before gluing the tape to 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 with 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 is a tight fit and complete insulation of the joint guaranteed. The joint must be cleaned of dust and dried well using a hair dryer or a hair dryer.

Once all these steps have been completed, you can begin installing the bathroom curb.

Important. If the tape does not have a self-adhesive surface and a special adhesive solution is included with the product, then installation of the border tape on the bathtub is carried out after preliminary priming of the joint area

Cases when seam sealing is indispensable

Some owners, having installed the bathtub as close as possible to the wall, believe that it is not at all necessary to carry out work to seal tiny gaps. This opinion is wrong. Professionals recommend sealing even seams whose width does not reach two millimeters. After all, the resulting gap will become a place where moisture will constantly and unhindered penetrate, which will undoubtedly lead to the growth of mold in the bathroom.

In addition to its unpresentable appearance and unpleasant odor, the fungus can cause serious health problems. These microorganisms aggravate respiratory and heart diseases, including in completely healthy people.

Therefore, you should not save on your health. Reliably sealing the joint during repairs is much smarter than the long and grueling process of getting rid of fungal spores. Moreover, the materials intended for these purposes have a very reasonable cost.

In addition, they are usually installed quickly and without much difficulty. Most owners are interested in how reliable the bathtub border tape is, how to glue it, and a video with detailed instructions for installing this type of decor. Answers to all such questions can be found in our article.