Rectangle tile direction

[lhdm5]

Hello All,

What would be the default direction of laying rectangular tiles in a house?

I have travertine 60x40 tiles which are to go down throughout the ground floor area which is open plan including the dining/kitchen area, through the living room and entrance hall, plus out onto a large terrace area.

My thinking is to run the tiles long side running with longer dimension of the room.

Can someone give me some advice as my tilers are literally waiting to hear from me right now.

Thanks in advance

[Sir Ramic]

Hello All,

What would be the default direction of laying rectangular tiles in a house?

I have travertine 60x40 tiles which are to go down throughout the ground floor area which is open plan including the dining/kitchen area, through the living room and entrance hall, plus out onto a large terrace area.

My thinking is to run the tiles long side running with longer dimension of the room.

Can someone give me some advice as my tilers are literally waiting to hear from me right now.

Thanks in advance

Thats usually the way i go but some clients prefer different.

[deanotile]

How about laying the tiles at a 45 degree angle and brick bond like this.

[merlecollins]

Its a personal taste thing mate.

I always say run the long edge with the direction you will be walking, if you understand

But I've just done a couple of 600x300 slate jobs, where both customers, coincidentally, have opted to tile brick bond across the width of the floor.....

No wrong or right way I suppose

[lhdm5]

They've already laid 20m2 down today but across the long dimension, I've asked them to stop while my wife has another look and sends me pictures as I'm overseas.

I'm still thinking my preference is correct but I understand from somewhere else that laying long tile side across the shortest dimension will allow for wall discrepencies, however having had my plan in my mind I just can't get my head around seeing it as the tilers have started it.

[mikethetile]

it depends on the dimensions of the room

if a room is long and narrow laying the tiles with long side to the long wall will emphasise the narrowness whereas laying across the room will shorten the room and make the long walls seem further out

on a rectangular room I would lay long side with long wall

[lhdm5]

Forgot to mention they will be 'brickbond' whichever way we decide.

[merlecollins]

Forgot to mention they will be 'brickbond' whichever way we decide.

So you haven't decided yet, but the tilers have fixed 20m2 You'll be popular if you change the direction from what they've fixed

[mikethetile]

So you haven't decided yet, but the tilers have fixed 20m2 You'll be popular if you change the direction from what they've fixed

I was thinking that

unless it was specified beforehand they havent done anything wrong other than not seeking clarification from the client before laying

[merlecollins]

I assumed they had been given the go ahead as they had been waiting for a decision this morning

Ahhhh - just realised post 1 was only done 45 minutes ago, so they must have charged ahead this morning........

[lhdm5]

I'm now popular with the tilers and my wife as I argued that I had told her weeks ago how I wanted them laid.

I used to be a ceiling fixer myself years ago and know exactly what I thought of clients changing their minds, at least we didn't glue ceilings up though.

She's going to have another look now and let me know, I just did a quick drawing and maybe accrossways would be better for the visual sizing of the rooms. I'll see when she sends a picture. I understand the tilers are having a beer until she gets there.

[merlecollins]

Could you post the pics on the forum lhdm5?

[Wingn]

Not really a right or wrong way as such, depends a lot on the shape of the room, and where the doorway is. Some customers like to see the broken effect walking into the room, and others like to see the straight lines running. Personally, I prefer to lay the long side of the tile with the longer side of the room. Kitchens, I'd usually lay longways starting from the 'cooker unit' or whatever unit is against the back wall.

[Sir Ramic]

Well who told them which way to lay them when starting the job ?

[lhdm5]

Not sure at the moment who made the decision to start as the conversation between my wife and I is limited right now.
I think the photos answer any more questions. It's probably a good job I'm 2000 miles away, anyway as well as me paying to re-lay the tiles I've promised the guys all I can get from dutyfree in three weeks. At least the glue was still wet.
We are going with the longways route and despite my subsequent doubts will now have to be happy with the result.
Out of interest I'll post pics of the final result then you can all see if I was right or wrong, or divorced!
Thanks for all the replies.

[Sir Ramic]

Is that vinyl tiles on the floor ???

[Sir Ramic]

Grey adhesive too...on travertine? rather them than me

[lhdm5]

The old floor has polished stone tiles down in a couple of areas which we originally thought about keeping but the whole house was a mish mash of these tiles, carpets, wood, red brick tiles, allsorts as it had various extensions over the years. In the end we decided to re-do the whole house in travertine as well as the outside terrace. Not cheap but we imported the tiles straight from Turkey which saved a bit.

What's the story with grey glue?

[Wingn]

Do think they will look better the new way, though.

[Sir Ramic]

What's the story with grey glue?

If they dont get a solid bed then you could be getting shadowing, the grey adhesive showing through the tiles. It is usual to use white but i guess some dont think the same.

[lhdm5]

Do think they will look better the new way, though.

I hope so now, actually the way the rest of the house layout goes I think it will ultimately look better. Over the years I have learnt usually (not always) that sticking with the original plan is the best way.
We'll see pretty soon I reckon.
I'll post a picture when its finished

[Wingn]

Must say, it must be some relationship if you get your way. Any job I do, the husband always has to run it past the wife!

[david campbell]

Must say, it must be some relationship if you get your way. Any job I do, the husband always has to run it past the wife!

yes! the husband does all the talking then you see the glance at the wifey for the nod of approval,how most customers are predictable......lol

[merlecollins]

Thanks for the pics mate

[shogun rua]

yes! the husband does all the talking then you see the glance at the wifey for the nod of approval,how most customers are predictable......lol

Done my kitchen floor last week my wife is the worst customer ive had lol mind you she is pregnant