Help!: Can't get my layout right around a window

[grovetile]

I am using large tiles - 300 x 600 mm and the window is 593mm wide. So doing a brick bond pattern I couldn't avoid but to end up with slivers of tiles if I make the tiles symmetrical around the window. Any suggestions?

thanks

[doug boardley]

I see your problem, what about putting a tiled "mullion" round the window gap? it'd look better than slivers imo

[grovetile]

That was quick!
Er... a tiled mullion? 'Scuse my ignorance, but what's that?
I looked up mullion and it says a vertical structural piece.
thanks

[faithhealer]

or don't make it symmetrical?

[doug boardley]

two vertical columns, one either side of window gap, and two horizontal, one top and one bottom. I'd do 45 degree mitres as well. Struggling to explain it well, it'd look like a frame around the window gap that your brick bond can meet upto without any awkward/unsightly slivers

[grovetile]

or don't make it symmetrical?

But ALL the examples on here show lovely perfectly symmetrical ones and all the setting out info says to start with the window and make it symmetrical! I don't know that I would dare!!

[grovetile]

two vertical columns, one either side of window gap, and two horizontal, one top and one bottom. I'd do 45 degree mitres as well. Struggling to explain it well, it'd look like a frame around the window gap that your brick bond can meet upto without any awkward/unsightly slivers

Ok I know what you mean now. I think the tiles are sooo big though that I couldn't use them as a frame. I am going to do a slate border to the room, so maybe I could do something with mosaic tiles...? But that might look a bit fussy.

[doug boardley]

Ok I know what you mean now. I think the tiles are sooo big though that I couldn't use them as a frame. I am going to do a slate border to the room, so maybe I could do something with mosaic tiles...? But that might look a bit fussy.

it depends on the field tiles I think, mosaics may make it look too busy, slate may darken round the window ( an area that should be light and airy imo)

[grovetile]

the 300 x 600s are plain matt white...

[doug boardley]

I'd go with the mullions then, but that's only my personal opinion! everybody has their own idea of what looks best
good luck and post us some pics when you've done it

[smurf21]

You dont have to use the whole tile as a mullion just cut them down to 100mm to form your frame and make a feature of the window can see this might look quite good... 25 years in and never thought of doing this before ..ever....... you never stop learning..

[grovetile]

You dont have to use the whole tile as a mullion just cut them down to 100mm to form your frame and make a feature of the window can see this might look quite good... 25 years in and never thought of doing this before ..ever....... you never stop learning..

So what would you have done then - in 25 years you must've come up with a similar problem?!

thanks all...

[smurf21]

No ive allways set out to take the biggest cuts poss around the window im just saying its a good idea to make a feature when doing a half bond pattern.
center your window and set out full tile from center then your getting half tiles up the side of your window

[smurf21]

like this

http://www.tilersforums.co.uk/attach...1&d=1249146869

[grovetile]

Phew!Thanks for doing that for me Smurf21.
Trying to get that, but I think I must be missing something.

Rather than taking off the 3.5mm per side, wouldn't that need to be added to take up the missing 7mm from the window (when compared to a tile?)?

Where the two tiles meet mid way below the window, say, then there is 303.5 mm sticking out either side. So the 'half bricks' would need to stick out 303.5 from the window to line up. If I cut 3.5mm off the full tiles, it would then mean the lines wouldn't match further away from the window.

Or am I missing something? Sorry about this.... I may be being a bit of a ....

[smurf21]

No you have to cut to the window reveal but make sure your first tile above the window cill starts halfway on the full tile then as you come above the window it will revert back to full tiles providing your working to a vertical datum.
you didnt say how high the window was only the width so you may have an L shaped cut above the window if you set it out full tile from the cill this was to show an option for the sides of the window cuts top and bottom may varry depending where you set out from height wise.

you have to ignore the window and work half bond from datum and cut into the reveals keeping all your other tiles half bonded.

[smurf21]

Right.... ive looked at it again and your right i can only appologise but ive got my head round your problem i think this attach is how i am reaing your problem if this is correct then i have only two solutions one is the mullion like previously discussed and the other is to offset the window imo the first opption is better but it will have to be customer choice i think... hope these help.

03-08-2009 15;27;09.jpg

03-08-2009 15;28;30.jpg

03-08-2009 15;29;27.jpg

[brian c]

i was going to say offset the window tiles to make it aesthetically pleasing .

[Dave]

Great post smurf and nice pics...

[larmar]

Do as Smurf says and you should be bang on ,,,

[faithhealer]

Nice one smurf, couldn't do me a 3D pic of my bathroom could 'ya'

[doug boardley]

the bottom sketch is what I was trying to describe smurf

[faithhealer]

the bottom sketch is what I was trying to describe smurf

will have to get your crayons out next time Doug lol

[grumpygrouter]

That was really helpful advise Smurf, not just for the OP but anyone else that was reading.

[smurf21]

Thanks guys hope it helped ..but gotta say the mullion idea was dougs i was impressed with that one so tried the set out for the op to look at but all dougs idea.