How do I plan my floor for tiling?

The surface must be properly prepared, suitably level, sound, clean, dry, and free of dust, grease or any loose material. All surfaces must be completely secure without any obvious deflection and capable of carrying the additional load.


Take the time to study the room and plan your work. Tiling usually commences on the side furthest from the door or at the highest point depending on how flat the floor is. If the floor undulates a lot then starting at the highest point will enable you to control the tiled surface flatness. Choose accordingly. If the floor is considered too uneven, an appropriate levelling compound will need to be laid to achieve a workable surface. Consider how cuts will look against fixed furniture, through doorways, against fireplaces and staircases etc making adjustments where necessary to achieve the best result. Please note: Where tiles have variable depths (see our brochure and price list for guidance) the thickest tile should be used for the lowest point in the floor.


STEP 1

Measure from A to B, divide by two and mark the floor at this point. Measure from C to D and again divide by two and mark the floor. Join these two lines together with a straight edge or chalk line to form an approximate central line. From this point lay down tiles, without fixing them, alongside your central line and allowing for grout joints, to see where the last whole tile will end. If the cut is less than 1/3rd of a tile then measure the width of the tile, divide by two to work out what half a tile will be and cast another line parallel to your first one with this measurement. This in practice will mean that your tiles will now straddle your original line in the centre once laid against the new line. Both options should give you even cuts on both sides but you want the largest cut possible of the two. Mark your chosen option at the end of the last full tile along the line to give you a starting point.

Note: If tiling in a brick bond pattern then your other option other than centre, is to work from a quarter tile outwards



STEP 2

Measure and divide your central line by two to split it in the middle, mark and repeat the process above to work out your cuts in the opposite direction.



STEP 3

Once happy with how the cuts look on all sides of the floor you can decide to lay your first tile on the highest point along the line or off the mark created in step 1.