Whats that arrow on the underside of my tiles - TilersForums.com

[Filip]

As the title I have 60x30 porcelain tiles and they have an arrow embossed underneath pointing at one of the the long lengths.

 

[Flintstone]

Lay them out with arrows in one direction and arrows in opposite direction see how they look. I always keep arrows the same direction

 

[Filip]

Ok thanks I will have a look

 

[Qwerty]

There are a few different thoughts on it, but I was told by a tile manufacturer it was the direction in which the tiles travelled through the manufacturing process from firing through to digital print & glazing.

 

[hmtiling]

There are a few different thoughts on it, but I was told by a tile manufacturer it was the direction in which the tiles travelled through the manufacturing process from firing through to digital print & glazing.

I've heard that

 

[Filip]

There are a few different thoughts on it, but I was told by a tile manufacturer it was the direction in which the tiles travelled through the manufacturing process from firing through to digital print & glazing.

I've heard that

So as the person laying them why would I need to know. I understand with carpet tiles as they have a direction of the pile and you can see the shade difference.Is it the same idea but to a lesser degree with tiles then.I have not done many rooms but never noticed it on a tile before

 

[Qwerty]

Because some digital print isn't random and will often be a repeat pattern. If tiles face same way, then so does the pattern. Not always the case. Best to lay out a dozen or so and see what's what

 

[Flintstone]

Here’s one I did last year with 60x60 porcelain with arrows on the back, I kept them all the same way, there’s a very clear directional patern to me

 

[Albert]

If tiles have an arrow then you most probably have to lay
them the same way as they are directional.You can however have
plain tiles made on the same machinery if that is the case you ignore
the arrows

 

[Filip]

I see - they have a softish riven slate pattern so may not be critical.
Next problem is that the arrow is not very pronounced in its emboss and then I am going to be back buttering and will forget where the stupid arrow was !

 

[Flintstone]

It’s really quite simple!

 

[Old Mod]

I believe it to be direction of travel thro ovens/kilns. And it would make sense that the pattern flows that way because it’s the direction of travel through process. If there’s a fairly even split between arrows and non arrows it’s generally cos at the end of the process, 60 x 60’s are cut in half. That’s why it’s only on some and not others.

 

[Filip]

I believe it to be direction of travel thro ovens/kilns. And it would make sense that the pattern flows that way because it’s the direction of travel through process. If there’s a fairly even split between arrows and non arrows it’s generally cos at the end of the process, 60 x 60’s are cut in half. That’s why it’s only on some and not others.

I only have 1 here so i cannot check an others, I didn't know they could of started out as 60x60.
So if it is deemed an important issue by the manufacturer to aid the installer with arrows then why cut them off on half of them.

 

[Bill]

I only have 1 here so i cannot check an others, I didn't know they could of started out as 60x60.
So if it is deemed an important issue by the manufacturer to aid the installer with arrows then why cut them off on half of them.

Because a quality installer will know which way around they go, no need for arrows.

 

[Andy Allen]

The arrows are unimportant imo, go with what looks best, some riven or pattern tiles look best all going the same way some don't.
Just look at the face of the tile if one is going in a different direction and stands out like a sore thumb , then put them all the same way, I've tiled hundreds of floors and never taken any notice of the arrows.