Edge Protection for Tiles and Sanitaryware

Published 26 October 2026 · By Ranjeet Kumar, Proprietor, Solution Enterprises

Short answer: tiles and sanitaryware break at their edges, so edge protection for these goods means stiff profiles on every edge where a strap, a forklift or a careless hand meets the load. On a tile pallet that is full-height angle board on the vertical corners and short pieces under each strap. For sanitaryware it means protecting the carton corners outside while the inner cushioning holds the piece still.

Ceramic is strong when pressed evenly and weak when hit on a point. That is why a tile box can carry a lot of weight standing on edge and still lose a corner tile when it is dropped a few centimetres onto concrete.

How tiles are handled, and where they chip

Tile makers’ own site guidance shows the weak points. A training guide from Nitco, an Indian tile manufacturer, advises standing tile boxes vertically on edge rather than flat, because flat stacks can crush the pieces at the bottom. It asks for two people per box for sizes above 600 × 600 mm, says boxes should not be rolled on a corner while unloading, and recommends dry, shaded storage because wet boxes get damaged and become hard to identify. It also asks that transit breakage be reported within 48 hours for an insurance claim.

Standing boxes on edge brings its own problem. A European patent application on tile pallets notes that a box of three large-format tiles standing on edge has a very narrow footprint and can tip over while the pallet is being built. Once the pallet is complete and strapped, the straps hold the boxes together — and the straps then press hardest on the outer box edges.

Stage	Damage risk	Protection
Palletising	Boxes tip, outer boxes crushed	Full-height corner boards
Strapping	Strap cuts box edges	Angle board under every strap
Transit	Vibration, shifting load	Strap plus stretch wrap, tight stow
Unloading	Corner drops, rolling	Handling marks, two-person lift

Protecting a tile pallet

• Vertical corners. Run an L-profile the full height of the stack on all four vertical edges. It holds the outer boxes square and gives the strap a hard surface to pull against.
• Top edges. Where straps cross the top, lay angle board along the top edges or use a top frame, so the strap does not cut down into the top boxes.
• Strap choice. Tile loads are heavy and settle in transit. A strap that holds its tension as the load settles keeps the boxes from moving; our comparison of PET strap and steel strap covers this.
• Count. The number of protectors depends on pallet size and strap pattern; our guide on how many edge protectors per pallet walks through it.

Small plastic corner clips sold for tiles do a different job. They sit on individual tiles or slabs inside or outside the box and stop corner chipping when pieces knock together. They do not hold a pallet square or take strap load. For a pallet of boxed tiles, the full-height board on the pallet corners is the part that matters; clips are an extra for large-format or high-value tiles.

Sanitaryware is a different pack

Toilets, basins and cisterns are irregular, hollow and heavy. The piece itself is usually held in the carton by moulded inserts or cushioning, and that inner pack decides whether the ceramic survives a drop. Edge protectors do a supporting job:

• On the carton’s vertical corners, they let cartons stack without the walls bowing in onto the rim of the piece below.
• Under straps on a pallet of cartons, they stop the strap cutting the carton corners.
• Inside the carton, a U-profile can protect a straight edge such as a countertop basin or a ceramic panel, but it does not replace cushioning.

Glass shower panels and mirrors follow the same logic as tiles: the edge is the weak point. Our article on edge protection for glass, ceramic and stone covers those loads in more depth, and the glass and ceramic packaging page summarises the sector.

Small habits that cut breakage

• Check the first boxes off every truck for transit damage and photograph them before signing.
• Keep pallets off wet floors and under cover, during the monsoon especially.
• Use standard handling symbols on the box, not only text in one language.
• Note breakage by position on the pallet. If most broken boxes come from the same corner, that corner needs better protection.

Common questions

Should tile boxes stand on edge or lie flat?

Manufacturer guidance such as Nitco’s recommends on edge, because flat stacks can crush the lower tiles. Strapped corner boards help keep the standing boxes square.

Are paper corner boards strong enough for tile pallets?

They are widely used on tile pallets. Choose the thickness for the weight and strap tension, and keep the boards dry, because paper loses stiffness when damp.

Can edge protectors replace inserts in sanitaryware cartons?

No. Inserts hold the piece still and absorb shock. Edge protectors protect the carton and help the stack.

We make L-shape and U-shape paper edge protectors in lengths to suit pallet height — see the L-shape edge protector page. Send us your pallet size and stack height through request a quote.

Sources

• Nitco Ltd, Tile Guide (technical training, site management) — unloading, stacking and storage of tile boxes.
• European Patent Office, application EP 3323736 — stability of large-format tile boxes stacked on edge on pallets.
• FreightCenter, Floor tile shipping — general pallet practice for tile cartons.

General guidance. Follow your tile or sanitaryware manufacturer’s handling instructions and test any packaging change on your own product and route.