Undersize Floor Tiles ?

[nickebbrell]

Just bought some 450 x 450 Castle Travertine Cream Floor tiles from B & Q. Thought the size would just fit in nicely with the bathroom dimensions without any bad cuts. When I actually measured them they are all 444mm square, which messes up my plans. Is it normal for such a discrepancy ? Would another batch be likely to be the same ? Any advice would be appreciated.

[Rad2474]

Why can't you still fit them without any bad cuts? just adjust your setting out for the slight difference in size. If your not sure there's plenty of guys on here who'll do it for you just post where your from for someone to contact you.

[grumpygrouter]

Firstly welcome to tilers forums. The size on the box is a nominal size. The actual size can vary considerably from nominal and there are sometimes "catagories" of sizes when packaged. it is important to check batch numbers when purchasing tiles as colours, shades and sizes can vary (even in the same number). So, yes these variations are normal, though 6mm is quite a large tolerance...that is DIY sheds for you I am afraid.

[Sir Ramic]

Just be thankfull that they are all the same size......most people dont find that.

[chris.tiling]

As Sir Ramic says...I have recently laid a floor with B&Q tiles that said "approx size"...and they were approx! Even tiles from the same box were slightly smaller / larger than other ones. Be grateful that they are all the same size and then use the new dimensions to rework your setting out. Where are you? Someone from the forums may well be able to come round and show you where to start etc

[Alan.P]

Welcome to the forum nickebbrell, wht is the 6mm per tile going to cause you so much of a problem, what are the dimensions of your bathroom, if you can, post up a proposed layout, how you wanted the job to look and with bath / basin and toilet position and we may be able to suggest an alternative for you.

[medlar]

Hi Nickebbrell,what exactly do you mean when you say "bad cuts",The job will be a shard or as simple as you make it,centre your floor,then mark it out to accomodate your tile size.As some of the lads have said,just be glad they are all the same size from B&Q,a lot are NOT.or did you mean that with 450mm tiles they worked out as full tiles with only the odd cut?
a little bit more info on the problem you think you may have will go a long way to getting you the advice you need/want

Jimmy

[lucius]

Just bought some 450 x 450 Castle Travertine Cream Floor tiles from B & Q. Thought the size would just fit in nicely with the bathroom dimensions without any bad cuts. When I actually measured them they are all 444mm square, which messes up my plans. Is it normal for such a discrepancy ? Would another batch be likely to be the same ? Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi all i work in Spain and i have never had such problems with the discrepencies you boys are encounting, a lot of people use seconds here but they are only called that because the colour does not match the shop sample but they are much the same size, ime sure someone will say that they have used Spanish tiles and they are crap but i can assure you that they only export the crapp and keep the best for themselves, believe it or not i was in the U.K. over Xmas and bought some tiles from B&Qfor my kitchen in Spain, long story wont go into it now, cant wait to open the box.
Regards Andy

[medlar]

Best of luck to you for when you open those boxes of tiles from B&Q Andy


Jimmy

[nickebbrell]

Thanks for all your replies. I can set them out correctly but I would have liked to have nearly 4 full tiles from the shower tray to the wall instead of 3 and 2 near halves or 4 and a narrow cut. I just thought I had cracked it that was all and if it was unusual to get a 6mm tolerance I would complain and see if I could get a batch nearer the stated size.

As it looks like my luck is out would you go for a 20mm slither against the opposite wall where ther is a WC, wall hung basin and Rad and have a full tile against the tray or a near half against the wall and the tray ( which hits you as you go in the room ) ????

Any suggestions would be appreciated

[Dave]

A half either side will look ok....that will give a bigger cut in the corner...as long as both sides of the shower look the same then no probs...

[medlar]

exactly as Dave suggested mate

Jimmy

[grumpygrouter]

Thanks for all your replies. I can set them out correctly but I would have liked to have nearly 4 full tiles from the shower tray to the wall instead of 3 and 2 near halves or 4 and a narrow cut. I just thought I had cracked it that was all and if it was unusual to get a 6mm tolerance I would complain and see if I could get a batch nearer the stated size.

As it looks like my luck is out would you go for a 20mm slither against the opposite wall where ther is a WC, wall hung basin and Rad and have a full tile against the tray or a near half against the wall and the tray ( which hits you as you go in the room ) ????

Any suggestions would be appreciated

You need to set out your tiles so you end up with a balanced look if possible. Having a full tile on one side and a small cut on the other will look strange and you, especially, will notice it every time you enter the room. Also, trying to put a full tile up against the wall is not practical, are you sure the walls are square? if they are not square you will end up having to put long thin triangular shaped cuts in where the wall runs out of square. Much better to try and cut a tile that has got lots of "meat" either side of the cut line, tends to "hide" things better and will certainly cut much better.

[doug boardley]

go for the half rather than the slither mate