set-out argument

[jjoc]

I recently did a job for a builder on his home. it was a bathroom, i was fixing 20x25 white ceramics in a potrait fashion. the window reveals etc. were exactly 25cm deep so on the sill and on the overhang of the window it was to be a full tile, on the sides I fixed a full tile an then a 5cm into the window frame.
The builder thought that i should have cut the tiles on the sill and overhang to 20cm to match the reveals and have the 5cm running around the window.
Where do you guys stand on this? really interested to know.

[hillhead]

It's all personal preference really, did you do a good job for him ?
Or maybe he's refusing payment?

[jjoc]

he saw my point, the job was perfect an he was happy an payed. I said to him its personal preference, he disagreed and insisted his way was correct, as he'd done a bit of tiling!

[pjc]

no i woudent unless asked to

[Dave]

he saw my point, the job was perfect an he was happy an payed. I said to him its personal preference, he disagreed and insisted his way was correct, as he'd done a bit of tiling!

So why didn't he do it then... I hate know it all builders..

[hillhead]

If you do work for him regular offer to do the reveals his way for free.
Just a thought,lol.

[whitebeam]

As above, it's what suits the customer..

[jjoc]

Me too, I wasnt to happy about him trying to tell me my job, thought it was a bit patronising tbh

[jjoc]

but if your going to tile in a bathroom an get left in there all day to do the job alone as many of us often are. I'll ask the usual stuff, grout colour, trim type, tile layout - that is something i eould never really ask I would just do it that way. So if you were left alone, which way would you do it?

[jjoc]

ive done work for him since. on his next bathroom in his house, he wants me to do it his way, which is no problem as long as i am told!

[timeless john]

I know exactly what he means - and I've never done it that way in 38 years - but have seen it before and wondered why I never thought of doing that way!
I suppose its because I wouldn't want to see a grout line on the sill and therefore the head would have to match the sill.
Yet on smaller square tiles you would follow the tile size around with an even joint - so he has a point - but we don't like being told an alternative method.

[pjc]

I know exactly what he means - and I've never done it that way in 38 years - but have seen it before and wondered why I never thought of doing that way!
I suppose its because I wouldn't want to see a grout line on the sill and therefore the head would have to match the sill.
Yet on smaller square tiles you would follow the tile size around with an even joint - so he has a point - but we don't like being told an alternative method.

does that meen you would cut all the tiles to 20 x 20 lol

[doug boardley]

I see his point, but unless asked otherwise I do the same as you've done, my argument being that the reveals,cill and head are all the same as the main wall only folded inwards therefore the cuts in the reveals are unavoidable.

[jjoc]

"my argument being that the reveals,cill and head are all the same as the main wall only folded inwards therefore the cuts in the reveals are unavoidable"

that was exactly my point doug.

[deanotile]

a bit like this one some of you may remember the pic
15804-dscf1598.jpg

[Mike]

i usually offer the choice to the customer, hopefully they'll opt for the way the op has done it (and deano's pic above) less cuts for me and nicer to look at

[jjoc]

yes deano, except my cuts were on the sides an full tile on the cill.

[deanotile]

i think it all comes from the days of RE and REX tiles you had to put a full tile on the inside of the window as you had to have the RE at the front and you do not put a cut on the inside. but as tile trim has become popular and tile sizes have changed we have just cared on putting a good edge to the front. IMO it is not wrong but the way your man wants it done is not wrong ether just a lot more work for you.* * * *

[timeless john]

does that meen you would cut all the tiles to 20 x 20 lol

I wouldn't - but that is what this builder customer of JJOC is suggesting for the sill and head of his window returns.
So to follow the joint at 20cm to match the sides, you would need to cut the rectangular tile to a square and put the cut edge to the front - hidden by the trim.
However if trim is not being used this alternative method is not acceptable IMHO.

[tommyzooom]

I see his point, but unless asked otherwise I do the same as you've done, my argument being that the reveals,cill and head are all the same as the main wall only folded inwards therefore the cuts in the reveals are unavoidable.

This is the way I'd do it too, it looks better imo

[andy allen]

imo, only square tiles should line up round the cill, i would of done it the way you did, however if he wanted it done his way he should of said so before you started the bathroom...

[pjc]

I wouldn't - but that is what this builder customer of JJOC is suggesting for the sill and head of his window returns.
So to follow the joint at 20cm to match the sides, you would need to cut the rectangular tile to a square and put the cut edge to the front - hidden by the trim.
However if trim is not being used this alternative method is not acceptable IMHO.

John just pulling your leg mate

[Phil Hobson]

I would go along with the general consensus, why would he want you to do that, unless using square tiles? as Dave says " bloody know it all builders" or words to that effect, They do my head in

[impish]

he saw my point, the job was perfect an he was happy an payed. I said to him its personal preference, he disagreed and insisted his way was correct, as he'd done a bit of tiling!

I'd have said "sorry but you can't possibly be right as officially, all builders are morons with two-figure IQs"

The wet-room I am tiling in Whalley was prepared by the best builder in the area. He fixed hardibacker to the walls and then plastered it all because in his words: "it's better for tiling to." Yeah right. That's going to be water resistant AND take the weight of large format marble.....

The floor was 20mm ply, single layer - not overlaid, with impey tilesafe (satan's very own membrane) and ufh cables which were in several places touching and even crossed.

You know what? The day I come across a wall which is anywhere near remotely plumb, or a floor which is almost flat - I will believe that there are builders who can fix tiles.
Until then, the "tiling builder" is best mates with the tooth fairy.

[ms.tiles]

Until then, the "tiling builder" is best mates with the tooth fairy.

great comment!!!!!!

[troweler]

Ive never done what he is suggesting in all my years tiling.A full tile should always be put on the sill and overhang imo.Looks much better.

[jjoc]

thanks for the back-up guys, knew i was right!