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How to keep subway tile in line in the shower?

15 years ago

I finally received my tile order - moving on to planning the shower - what would you pros suggest as far as keeping a brick pattern 3x6 subway tile in line. Should I make some sort of jig to check each row? Should I draw guide lines on the kerdi (seems like those would be covered by thinset so might not do that)? What do you think?

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Comments (6)

bill_vincent
15 years ago
Draw your guidelines (two of them, 2 1/2- 3 1/2 tiles apart) and just leave them open when you spread your thinset, so you can see them. I'm getting ready to hit the sack right now, but I'll see if I have any "in progress" pics tomorrow that depict this set up.
pepperidge_farm
15 years ago
wow, you mean you just don't eyeball it? Hmm, well I didn't use any lines, or jig, and only once in 2 baths in one place did it go off, and it was where there a large trim in between the 2 areas... I will always notice it, nobody else will.

I bet there is some really talented way to make sure that doesn't happen...
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acountryfarm
15 years ago
WOW, I am feeling pretty lucky now , as I did not use any guide or lines either. I didn't know any better. Glad my subway turned out well and matched up perfectly.
Maybe my lack of tile know how allowed me to jump right in and get the job done, instead of obsessing about the right way, KWIM? Kind of like ignorance is bliss. Well its all done & set in stone, so no going back.
bill_vincent
15 years ago
Many people DON'T use guide lines. I guess that's my OCD rearing its ugly head. When I look at tile set in a running bond, I want to see every other tile, in exact line with each other. To me, it looks random, otherwise. Here's a good example, only in this one, I spread the lines only 1 1/2 tiles. But there's still lines for the two different coursings:

(the rope trim was just a little different in size from the field tile, which is why I made sure it didn't line up with EITHER mark)
nc8861
Original Author
15 years ago
Bill - cool - thanks. Followup questions...

1) what trowel size should I use? 1/4 x 1/4 square notch or 1/4 x 3/16 V notch?

2) Did you just use a plain ole' level to ensure your lines were plumb?

PS - I'm starting with a ledger board where row 1 will be and working my way up. Is this what you would recommend? My outside edge is OK, but not stellar, so in most places there will be a complete tile, but in a few places I may have to shave a bit off b/c my mud bed wasn't 100% dead on perfect.
bill_vincent
15 years ago
1) 1/4x1/4 square notch. A v-notch trowel doesn't leave enough material when working with thinset, unless it's mosaics.

2) Yes. I used a 4' level to get all my plumb lines.

PS-- Absolutely. It makes it much easier of you start from a ledger board. As for your mud bed, I won't tell anyone if you don't. :-)

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