Tile or upvc window ledge?

[BikerJet]

Hi all,
Quick question, is it better to tile a window ledge in a bathroom or use a plastic/upvc ledge piece?

I've never seen the upvc ledge pieces before and my only concern is will it stay as clean as tiling would or will it stain?
I was going to get the ledge tiled but the tiler has suggested using this plastic stuff as there are no grout lines with it to get mucky.

Ta muchly,
Janet.

[david campbell]

it's really personal choice! i think it looks better if it's a deep window sill tiled,rather than thin pieces of tile!

[BikerJet]

Oh ok thanks, was just worried in case I was being sold something dodgy for convenience rather than because it was more practical!!!

[Derry]

personal preference really, depends what your taste is.

remember though, its down to you not the person doing the job so discuss it with them

[GirlRacerRed]

my parents have a upvc sill in their bathroom and have done for many years. it still looks as good as it did when it was fitted (they didn't have any tiles up to the height of the window, so never had the window area tiled). they were really conscious of it scratching at first so fitted sitcky-backed felt to the toothbrush holders and mirror etc... it started to scratch eventually, but it definitely made cleaning that part of the bathroom easier.

If your window has never had a sill or never been tiled, it's down to you which you prefer. Personally, I like to see the window sill area tiled as part of the wall tiling.

good luck with your choices

[BikerJet]

Well the tiler had persuaded me to go with the plastic sill option (the sill is 89cmx23cm) as a more hygenic option for a bathroom - no grout lines to get mucky - but reading the responses you've given I think I'd prefer it tiled! Specially if the plastic option does eventually scratch. The wall is tiled up to the bottom of the sill so it would look ok either way I reckon. Just hope he doesn't get in a strop tomorrow when I tell him I've changed my mind and hes got more tiling to do.

[Dave]

Plastic cills look tacky in a fully tiled room....Deffo get it tiled much harder wearing..imo...

As for getting dirty.....as long as you clean it then thats not an issue...

[batiling]

I have done a recent bathroom with the tiles only coming halfway up the walls and just above window ledge.The customer went with white pvc for the 2 windows for the same reasons as yourself even though i said i would tile them for no extra cost.I received a call on monday asking me to rip them out and adjust the tiling and tile the sills and it will cost them for another visit from me.So choose carefully

[BikerJet]

Knowing how much you enjoy seeing my bathroom disaster pics I've uploaded a pic of how the ledge looks so far! As you can see they've tiled level with the sill. He should be able to tile the top tho shouldn't he? Want to be prepared for the - oh its too late to tile it now comment!

[Dave]

Only thing he will need to do is replace the tile trim...as it needs to run along the front of the cill...

[BikerJet]

Okay thanks again Dave.

Bet you'll be glad to see the back of me from these forums with all my stupid questions!!!

[Dave]

Bet you'll be glad to see the back of me from these forums with all my stupid questions!!!

Not at all janet...

We have a lady ( ) member on here who came on for advice about her kitchen floor....she's never been away...,,,she knows who she is...

Stick around, you never know you might just do that course and tile your own work in future..

[BikerJet]

Well funny you should say that - I was made redundant last year and have been looking to retrain and do something completely different! Having seen the complete hash the so called professional tiler has made of my bathroom I seriously know with the right training I could do a better job! So who knows....

[BikerJet]

Just thought I'd say a HUGE thanks for the advice to go for tiled - have attached pics of how the sill looks tiled and how it would have looked if they'd installed the plastic sill.......it would have been hideous and I'd've hated it!! It sticks out, it looks cheap and its generally yeuch.

Good advice - stopped me making a huge mistake and going for plastic.
Thankyou thankyou thankyou.

[Dave]

That looks better......i see he pieced the trim though...lazy so an so...

[FreeD]

So Dave how do u slip that trim behind the tiles when the adhesive has already gone off?

[Dave]

You don't... Remove that tile and re-do it...

[mikethetile]

im pleased you opted for tile

i use upvc on housing association work as that whats specified, the tenants hate it

that sample is not plastic window cill , its bullnose fascia

i use the same as its cheaper

so you chose wisely

[BikerJet]

Hee hee. Well I'm not gonna get in too much of a strop about it just want it all finished now. Theres also a small chip or mis-cut in the corner of the left hand tile but as long as they put enough grout in to fill the gap I'm not gonna get too upset about that either. They're coming back again tomorrow to finish. They were supposed to be finished Wed, then today and lo and behold its now gonna take another day. Is this the never ending bathroom saga or wot?!!!! Honestly my bathroom ain't that big.

So tomorrow they've gotta finish grouting the wall tiles, grout the window ledge, finish putting the trim on, grout the floor, fill in some grout gaps in the wall tiles that I've noticed(eg by the ceiling), seal the tiled ledge by the bath, install the shower, put the bath panel on, install the sink, sort the edge where the tile meets the carpet, fill a hole in the ceiling where they removed the extractor fan, drill a hole in the tiles for my loo roll holder....oh yeah and I was kind of hoping they'd clean the wall and floor tiles up a bit before they go coz they're all very mucky!!! What do you think? Think they'll be back Monday myself!!!

[whitebeam]

Hope there on a price not day work

[mikethetile]

at this rate they will be working bank holiday weekend as well

[BikerJet]

Yeah thats the 1 good thing about it I guess it was a fixed price before they started tho there was a bit of extra tiling so I'm expecting a slight increase coz of that. Mind you given the hash they've made of the floor and the fact I'm not very happy with it I'm thinking I might try and negotiate a discount. I've bought some big fluffy bath mats from Tesco to try and break the floor up a bit so the 2 colour effect isn't so obvious but I wouldn't have had to do that if they'd done a proper job in the first place. Plus the extra wine I've had to drink coz of the stress!!

[mikethetile]

and then theres the holiday you will need to get over all the stress

[BikerJet]

I'll be holidaying in my beautiful new bathroom......if its ever finished that is!!!

I'm very glad I opted for tile too - it does look so much better than that bullnose whatever that was!!

[BikerJet]

Okay another silly question - I've just been in looking at my bathroom again and I'm wondering - should the trim have a gap between it and the wall or do I need to get him to put some extra grout in to fill the gap?

[GirlRacerRed]

Not at all janet...

We have a lady ( ) member on here who came on for advice about her kitchen floor....she's never been away...,,,she knows who she is...

Stick around, you never know you might just do that course and tile your own work in future..

Obviously I haven't been reading posts closely enough recently

Thanks Dave but why have you put a smiley face in brackets? what are you trying to say?

[Dave]

I thought you might smirk at the lady comment...

[GirlRacerRed]

I thought you might smirk at the lady comment...

I've always been a lady! don't you know....

Night all, bed time for me.