Now it is time to plan the layout. Once you are in possession of the tiles, it is always a good idea to make sure that they are in fact the colour and design you ordered.
Check your tiles
Before you start tiling away, you need to check that all your tiles match according to the shade, code and production date – You will find this information on the side of each box of tiles. (See image below)
Most important to note will be the date; as during the production process, slight variations may occur from batch to batch, so make sure that all your tiles come from the same batch (date). It is then time to go through all your tiles and select a reference tile that is the exact colour and texture that you chose in the store.
When opening the boxes, make sure to wipe the powder residue from the back of the tiles with a damp cloth. Use your reference tile to ensure that all tiles are as close as possible to the correct shade and texture. Some tiles are designed to provide more variations than others, so speak to the sales assistant beforehand. Any tiles that vary too greatly from the reference tile should be put aside.
Once you have sorted out your tiles, it is time to dry lay your tiles. Dry laying, is exactly what the name suggests – it is laying your tiles out in the pattern you want before applying any adhesives, also making sure that the tiles are aligned properly and there is no unnecessary cutting of tiles. Below we have the procedures for both floors and wall layouts.
Floor Layout
To plan your floor layout, find the centre points of your walls and strike two chalk lines across the floor by connecting the points on opposite walls. A builder’s line or laser line can also be used for this. The floor will now be divided into quarters. Starting at the centre point on the floor, place two rows of tiles along the lines, making sure to leave spacer widths between the tiles as you go. (These spacers are usually between 8mm and 10mm)
If the tiles do not have similar sizes on both ends, you may need to move one or both rows of tiles slightly to avoid cutting uneven strips along the walls. This also provides even borders on opposite sides and keeps the floor looking balanced.
Wall Layout
When measuring your walls for tiling, remember that very few walls are actually true or square, so don’t depend on the corners to provide a perfectly vertical line against which to align your tiles.
First, measure the wall from side to side and mark the centre point. Using your chalk line, draw a vertical line through this point.
Next, measure the wall from top to bottom and again mark the centre point. You now have two lines that will act as guides when you start tiling.
If you’re tiling around features such as a bath, worktop or windowsill, select the feature where alignment is most visible and adjust your horizontal reference line up or down to allow for a row of uncut tiles above or below this feature. Remember that this line will run around the whole room, so plan well in advance.
Plan your tile layout measuring along the horizontal reference line to the end of the wall, marking the position of each tile as you go. Remember to leave spacer widths between tiles. Follow the same procedure with the remaining walls.
Below are a couple floor layouts most commonly used. You can also find more layouts by speaking to your sales assistant at the tile distributor or doing a google search for some inspiration.
Now that the layout is confirmed, the next step is: “cutting tiles”. This will be discussed in the next article which will be posted on Wednesday, 26 October 2016.
Should you not have the inclination, patience or experience to tile yourself, do not despair, we are proud to announce that Valuetec has added Tiling, painting, plastering and light renovation work to our service offering in Pretoria. If you require assistance with a renovation project, give us a call or email us for more information and let’s add value to your home the professional, correct and affordable way.
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