Setting out

[Gordy8]

Hi Guy's/Gal's

I'm after a wee bit of help in regard to setting out, I'd appreciate your advice or if you could direct me to a thread.

I am tiling a 2mtr by 2mtr room using 12"X18" 8mm ceramic tiles and intend laying them 'panoramic' in a brick style (if that makes sense!!) This will be floor to ceiling.

To complicate matters the first part of the floor (an area big enough to allow the door to open) is about 6" lower than the majority of the floor.

Is it best practice to have a full tile at the top or bottom? (bearing in mind the step) and do i start laying from the centre of each wall?

Warm Regards

Gordon.

[Rad2474]

You shouldn't really have a full tile at the top or bottom due to run out. You will have to set out so that you have a tile to cut at each end to allow for differences in height,try to keep the cuts as thick as possible.I would start near the bottom leaving enough space to fit a cut tile in that allows for the run out but also leaving a resonable cut at the top,take your time and double check your sttting out.

[oogabooga]

Gordy, as Rad has suggested, it's very unlikely your ceiling and floor are truly level. Find the lowest point of the floor and measure up from there to determine how the tiles are going to look. Personally I prefer a fullish tile at the bottom, so long as it doesn't leave a sliver cut at the top. It's probable that the bottom tile will have to be trimmed to account for uneveness of the floor.

Mark level and plumb lines on each wall (double and triple check them for accuracy) and stick to the lines to ensure your grout lines all tie in together. You may find it easier starting from the centre, but up to you as long as it's marked out correctly.

[Toppa]

Take your time m8 - as the replies say dont go for a full tile top or bottom, always try to get a half at each. I prefer more at the bottom than top.

Also remember brick effect can throw out verticle slithers at you in corners and windows ! . Mark a full and half tile on your layout batton and TAKE YOUR TIME before you start sticking.

Good luck

[doug boardley]

also take window and door heights into consideration. Try and avoid thin cuts above/below them. An idea might be to make yourself a wooden staff, with maybe 5 or 6 tile heights marked on it,then mark a datum on your wall and use your staff to see how the heights/levels work out
good luck
Doug

[Gordy8]

Cheers for the replys guys, I'm a lot more confident in what i'm about to do. Just waiting for the plumber to come and do his bit before I can start.

Do you guys have any recommendations in spacer size for these tiles (12"X18") They have very straight sides and a very slight ( what i would call chamfer) on each edge. My OH is thinking of 5mm but i think maybe narrower, poss 3mm.

Regards

Gordon.

[doug boardley]

I'd go for 2mm, esp if there's a chamfer on the edges, as when it's grouted the filled chamfer will make the joints look bigger imo

[chris.tiling]

agreed...go with a 2mm joint and it will look great. Wide joints dont look as good on the walls IMO

[oogabooga]

Check the tiles for square and size variation, as this will affect how small a grout line you can use. A test sample of say 10 or 12 tiles from various boxes should give you a good idea. Like Doug suggests, 2mm is good, assuming your tiles aren't too wonky.

[TGMTiling]

2mm will look fine m8 thats what i would use

[Gordy8]

Cheers again guys, more ammo to convince OH that I was right, in wanting a smaller grout line.

OMG i might actually win this arguement.

Regards

Gordon.

[garretridge]

as the guys say 2mm on the walls keep the larger grout lines for the floor!