Help!: Lining up tiles with sink

[Minnie]

Hello again

Could anyone tell me if it's a strict no-no to cut tiles at the top?

Here's a picture of the wall I'm doing.

DSCF0448.JPG - DivShare

From the bath to the bottom of the splashback on the sink is 25cm. The little splashback is 6cm and from the shelf on top of the splashback to the bottom of the window sill is 40/41cm.

I had wanted to go up to the bottom of the window sill rather than have it the same as it is in that picture (ie. differing heights of tiles above the bath and sink). However, whichever size tiles I use, I can't think how I'm going to line up the grout line of the main wall tiles with the grout line of the splashback on the sink.

Using 25cm tall tiles would take me to the bottom of the splashback on the sink, but then I'd be left with 40cm above it and I had wanted to put a 5cm border at the top.

I've tried figuring it out with all different sized tiles but keep getting stuck.

I'm figuring I either have to maybe fall 10cm short of the window sill or ignore the grout lines in the sink altogether.

I had looked at getting 40cm tiles and cutting them down, but figured there'd be too much wastage. Was going to go for 25x20cm as they were easier to handle and less weight etc. but I can't figure out what to do with lining sink up etc. Any suggestions welcome.

[whitebeam]

Two differing grout lines would not look right, did you set the layout before you started tiling; as in making sure the grout lines continued.
If I've got it right

[Minnie]

Two differing grout lines would not look right, did you set the layout before you started tiling; as in making sure the grout lines continued.
If I've got it right

I haven't started the tiling yet, but just going by the size of the tiles (25x20cm), I know I'm going to have problems.

[faithhealer]

read this a few times now, still not quite with it but that little shelf can be made to any height to suit any grout line, can't it.

[Minnie]

read this a few times now, still not quite with it but that little shelf can be made to any height to suit any grout line, can't it.

It's a built-out wall from what I can tell. I really don't want to have to go along the lines of having to add cement/concrete to build it up as that's just extra cost and I'm figuring I'd have to build it up 10cm.

Or, I just don't tile up to window sill level which is how it was before?

[whitebeam]

Try this link for setting out and let us know if it helped

DIY - Tiling - Setting out Tiles

[Minnie]

It's not even a nice rectangular shape. Here's what I found under the bogey green tiles - yes, more tiles which seem to be embedded in the mix so will have to tile over them.

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/9456954-155

[Minnie]

Try this link for setting out and let us know if it helped

DIY - Tiling - Setting out Tiles

Thanks whitebeam, but not really. It's the lining up the vertical tiles on the main wall with the vertical tiles above the sink (and particularly that little 6cm splashback) that's bothering me.

[whitebeam]

It's one of them jobs if I standing there I'd get it straight away

[Minnie]

It's one of them jobs if I standing there I'd get it straight away

feel free to come and stand here then

OK, here's the measurements in case that helps.

Full vertical height from bath to under window is 72cm.

From bath to botton of that splasback is 25cm.

From bottom of splashback to top of splashback is 6cm.

From top of splashback above sink to under window sill is 40cm.

I have a border that's about 5cm.


Have a pint while you think about it.

[whitebeam]

Overall are you just tiling to the window cill

[Minnie]

Overall are you just tiling to the window cill

Yes, I thought it would look nicer than how it was, but if that's going to be too difficult, I might just say sod it and fall short but not as short as the previous lot

[whitebeam]

You will have to do a gauging stick with the new tiles and measure down from your window cill to find if the tiles will sit right and follow thru above your sink. Try to keep the grout lines level to the sink but include the border. Do a picture of what you trying acheive then it willl be easier to understand, you have so many elements to this job it seems more complicated than it probably is

[Minnie]

You will have to do a gauging stick with the new tiles and measure down from your window cill to find if the tiles will sit right and follow thru above your sink. Try to keep the grout lines level to the sink but include the border. Do a picture of what you trying acheive then it willl be easier to understand, you have so many elements to this job it seems more complicated than it probably is

What I'm trying to figure out is not if the grout line will be wonky, but how to cut the tiles (25x20cm) so that they line up with the grout lines on the sink. Everyone says you can cut bottom tiles, but not top tiles to fit.

I get a feeling I've not explained myself very well.

[whitebeam]

If you have cut the top tiles to the window cill and follow round you can buy plastic trim to hide the cut on the tile around the bathroom, no problem.

[Minnie]

If you have cut the top tiles to the window cill and follow round you can buy plastic trim to hide the cut on the tile around the bathroom, no problem.

But I was going to put a border at the top of the tiles (a mosaic border). Would it not look a bit funny with a trim?

[whitebeam]

Now I'm with you

mark the border on the wall then make a mark for the the larger tiles, going down the wall to find out how the tiles will fit or do a gauging stick which will help in your setting out from the border

[Minnie]

Are you sure?

OK, how about I put it another way?

Ignore what's below the sink!

If I have 40cm from the top of the sink to underneath the window and I want to put a 5cm border at the top, and my tiles are 25cm high, then the first tile above the sink would be 25cm, and I would be left with a 10cm gap between the tile and the border. I can't have a 10cm tile there can I?

ie. 25cm tile, then 10cm tile, then 5cm mosaic

[kameleon]

What's wrong with tiling above the window sill, by doing this and then tiling the sill and a small upstand on the reveals would make a much better job and would probably eliminate the problem above the sink.

[Minnie]

What's wrong with tiling above the window sill, by doing this and then tiling the sill and a small upstand on the reveals would make a much better job and would probably eliminate the problem above the sink.

Never thought of that. Where would I put my border though?

Here's a picture of how it was originally (done by the council). As you can see, the grout lines on the main wall don't match up with the sink. I'm trying to figure out how to do that and go to window height without having to cut a tile at the top but I don't see how I can considering I've got 25x20 tiles and want to put a border in. The alternative is to fall short of the window, but at least have the same height above the sink and bath, unlike how the council did it with tiles higher on the sink area. Can't figure out why they did that.

http://www.divshare.com/img/display/9425083-8c8

[kameleon]

Use the border to cap your tiling. It was mosaics wasnt it?

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

put some tile beading the edge of the window tile up then run cut edge in to bead to take the sharp edge away,i think

[Minnie]

Use the border to cap your tiling. It was mosaics wasnt it?

Yes mosaics. Under the window? But where above the sink?

[Minnie]

Yes mosaics. Under the window? But where above the sink?

Or do I skip them under the window or the sink area?