I'm thinking of covering a concrete stoop with 12" x 12" porcelain
tile. The stoop has one ~13" x 5' step up to a 4' x 5' slab. Therefore
there are 2 risers.

I want to bullnose the edges of the step and slab, both along the
fronts and the sides, but I'm not sure what the best method is.

Should I buy bullnose tiles (~3 " x 12") and use those on the 3 edges
of the step and slab or can I use full size tiles and bullnose the
edges with a belt sander?

I'm pretty sure that I can build out the upper riser with Durock so
that a single 12" tile will cover the step, which would be much easier
than using a bullnose tile and a cut 12" x 12". If I did that on the
step then I'd use full tiles on the slab also

I've seen videos where a belt sander is used to create the bullnose on
tile, but they weren't porcelain.

I'm thinkng that the bullnose tiles might make a nice looking edging,
but it will result in a lot more cut tiles in the field.

I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks!

On 6/28/2012 3:07 PM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
....

I want to bullnose the edges of the step and slab, both along the
fronts and the sides, but I'm not sure what the best method is.

Should I buy bullnose tiles (~3 " x 12") and use those on the 3 edges
of the step and slab or can I use full size tiles and bullnose the
edges with a belt sander?
....

Bite the bullet and do it right.

You may be able to shape a tile, but it'll screw up the surface glaze
and leave it porous which will invite moisture.

--

On Thu, 28 Jun 2012 13:07:43 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

I'm thinking of covering a concrete stoop with 12" x 12" porcelain
tile. The stoop has one ~13" x 5' step up to a 4' x 5' slab. Therefore
there are 2 risers.

I want to bullnose the edges of the step and slab, both along the
fronts and the sides, but I'm not sure what the best method is.

Should I buy bullnose tiles (~3 " x 12") and use those on the 3 edges
of the step and slab or can I use full size tiles and bullnose the
edges with a belt sander?

I'm pretty sure that I can build out the upper riser with Durock so
that a single 12" tile will cover the step, which would be much easier
than using a bullnose tile and a cut 12" x 12". If I did that on the
step then I'd use full tiles on the slab also

I've seen videos where a belt sander is used to create the bullnose on
tile, but they weren't porcelain.

I'm thinkng that the bullnose tiles might make a nice looking edging,
but it will result in a lot more cut tiles in the field.

I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks!

Silicon carbide belt. Go for it.

--
Vic

On Jun 28, 4:07*pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:

I'm open to suggestions.

Set all your money on fire, at least you'll get some heat from it.
-----

- gpsman

DerbyDad03 wrote:

I'm thinking of covering a concrete stoop with 12" x 12" porcelain
tile. The stoop has one ~13" x 5' step up to a 4' x 5' slab. Therefore
there are 2 risers.

Are you sure you want to put the slipperiest surface imaginable on
your steps? Will your homeowners even let you do that?

I want to bullnose the edges of the step and slab, both along the
fronts and the sides, but I'm not sure what the best method is.

Should I buy bullnose tiles (~3 " x 12") and use those on the 3 edges
of the step and slab or can I use full size tiles and bullnose the
edges with a belt sander?

Buy the bullnose tile. The glazing is only on the surface of the
tile-- as soon as you sand it off [after a great deal of effort and
some expense] it won't look right, and you'll shorten he life of the
tile.

I'm open to suggestions.

Carpet the steps.

Jim

On Jun 28, 6:59*pm, Jim Elbrecht wrote:
DerbyDad03 wrote:
I'm thinking of covering a concrete stoop with 12" x 12" porcelain
tile. The stoop has one ~13" x 5' step up to a 4' x 5' slab. Therefore
there are 2 risers.

Are you sure you want to put the slipperiest surface imaginable on
your steps? * * Will your homeowners even let you do that?



I want to bullnose the edges of the step and slab, both along the
fronts and the sides, but I'm not sure what the best method is.

Should I buy bullnose tiles (~3 " x 12") and use those on the 3 edges
of the step and slab or can I use full size tiles and bullnose the
edges with a belt sander?

Buy the bullnose tile. *The glazing is only on the surface of the
tile-- as soon as you sand it off [after a great deal of effort and
some expense] it won't look right, and you'll shorten he life of the
tile.

I'm open to suggestions.

Carpet the steps.

Jim

Three seasons of wet carpet doesn't sound very inviting.

One season of alternating snow covered then melted snow then frozen
solid then soaking wet carpet sounds even less inviting.

I think I'll go for the bullnose.

On Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:59:21 -0400, Jim Elbrecht
wrote:

DerbyDad03 wrote:

I'm thinking of covering a concrete stoop with 12" x 12" porcelain
tile. The stoop has one ~13" x 5' step up to a 4' x 5' slab. Therefore
there are 2 risers.

Are you sure you want to put the slipperiest surface imaginable on
your steps? Will your homeowners even let you do that?

I want to bullnose the edges of the step and slab, both along the
fronts and the sides, but I'm not sure what the best method is.

Should I buy bullnose tiles (~3 " x 12") and use those on the 3 edges
of the step and slab or can I use full size tiles and bullnose the
edges with a belt sander?

Buy the bullnose tile. The glazing is only on the surface of the
tile-- as soon as you sand it off [after a great deal of effort and
some expense] it won't look right, and you'll shorten he life of the
tile.

I'm open to suggestions.

Carpet the steps.


He didn't say (wonder why) what type tile, but full body unglazed
porcelain tiles can be worked to bullnose and look good.
I don't think he's unaware that glaze isn't deep.
Bullnosing doesn't even have to be exact to look good. I've done it
with wood using a belt sander and got excellent results.
One thing I didn't mention is that he can take the tiles to a shop
that will bullnose them with a bullnosing saw blade.
But I didn't want to make it too easy. He might need the exercise.
If he can avoid cutting the 12" x 12" and having a separate bullnose
piece, he'll have a cleaner look.

--
Vic

On 6/28/2012 7:06 PM, DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Jun 28, 6:59 pm, Jim Elbrecht wrote:
DerbyDad03 wrote:
I'm thinking of covering a concrete stoop with 12" x 12" porcelain
tile. The stoop has one ~13" x 5' step up to a 4' x 5' slab. Therefore
there are 2 risers.

Are you sure you want to put the slipperiest surface imaginable on
your steps? Will your homeowners even let you do that?



I want to bullnose the edges of the step and slab, both along the
fronts and the sides, but I'm not sure what the best method is.

Should I buy bullnose tiles (~3 " x 12") and use those on the 3 edges
of the step and slab or can I use full size tiles and bullnose the
edges with a belt sander?

Buy the bullnose tile. The glazing is only on the surface of the
tile-- as soon as you sand it off [after a great deal of effort and
some expense] it won't look right, and you'll shorten he life of the
tile.

I'm open to suggestions.

Carpet the steps.

Jim

Three seasons of wet carpet doesn't sound very inviting.

One season of alternating snow covered then melted snow then frozen
solid then soaking wet carpet sounds even less inviting.

I think I'll go for the bullnose.


Ice or slush on top of tile sounds like a serious hazard, as would
painted concrete. If grout joints aren't water-proof (and I don't know
if they can be) then the water seeping into them will freeze and pop the
tile. Sisal or hemp woven, as for boats?

On Jun 28, 7:29*pm, Norminn wrote:
On 6/28/2012 7:06 PM, DerbyDad03 wrote:









On Jun 28, 6:59 pm, Jim Elbrecht wrote:
DerbyDad03 wrote:
I'm thinking of covering a concrete stoop with 12" x 12" porcelain
tile. The stoop has one ~13" x 5' step up to a 4' x 5' slab. Therefore
there are 2 risers.

Are you sure you want to put the slipperiest surface imaginable on
your steps? * * Will your homeowners even let you do that?

I want to bullnose the edges of the step and slab, both along the
fronts and the sides, but I'm not sure what the best method is.

Should I buy bullnose tiles (~3 " x 12") and use those on the 3 edges
of the step and slab or can I use full size tiles and bullnose the
edges with a belt sander?

Buy the bullnose tile. *The glazing is only on the surface of the
tile-- as soon as you sand it off [after a great deal of effort and
some expense] it won't look right, and you'll shorten he life of the
tile.

I'm open to suggestions.

Carpet the steps.

Jim

Three seasons of wet carpet doesn't sound very inviting.

One season of alternating snow covered then melted snow then frozen
solid then soaking wet carpet sounds even less inviting.

I think I'll go for the bullnose.

Ice or slush on top of tile sounds like a serious hazard, as would
painted concrete. *If grout joints aren't water-proof (and I don't know
if they can be) then the water seeping into them will freeze and pop the
tile. Sisal or hemp woven, as for boats?

The tile(s) I've look at, at various stores, are all rated (compliant)
as far as traction for outdoor use.

I haven't bought any thin set or grout yet, but I've been assured that
it can be mixed with additives for outdoor use, in our climate.

In fact, there was more concern about sealing the existing concrete to
avoid moisture from below as opposed to moisture from above.

As you can tell, I'm still doing my research.

On Thu, 28 Jun 2012 13:07:43 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

I'm thinking of covering a concrete stoop with 12" x 12" porcelain
tile. The stoop has one ~13" x 5' step up to a 4' x 5' slab. Therefore
there are 2 risers.

I want to bullnose the edges of the step and slab, both along the
fronts and the sides, but I'm not sure what the best method is.

Should I buy bullnose tiles (~3 " x 12") and use those on the 3 edges
of the step and slab or can I use full size tiles and bullnose the
edges with a belt sander?


Why are they called "bullnose"?

On Fri, 29 Jun 2012 18:22:59 -0500, wrote:

On Thu, 28 Jun 2012 13:07:43 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

I'm thinking of covering a concrete stoop with 12" x 12" porcelain
tile. The stoop has one ~13" x 5' step up to a 4' x 5' slab. Therefore
there are 2 risers.

I want to bullnose the edges of the step and slab, both along the
fronts and the sides, but I'm not sure what the best method is.

Should I buy bullnose tiles (~3 " x 12") and use those on the 3 edges
of the step and slab or can I use full size tiles and bullnose the
edges with a belt sander?


Why are they called "bullnose"?

http://horseandman.com/wp-content/uploads/cows-nose.jpg
[same as bull's nose]