For Bill V, Question on Laying Out Tile Patterns, & etc.

12 years ago

Bill V. I am looking for advise on laying diagonal patterns and have a couple related questions as well. I commented on your recent post on another thread and thought I should open a new thread to get my questions addressed. As everyone comments, GW is so helpful and full of great information. I had signed up on the site "that must not be named" as recommended a few months ago but now I can't remember its name!?

First question is:

1) How do you lay out the tile so that the edges are equidistant from the perimeter on both sides in a diagonal pattern? I just saw your example of a hall floor diagonal pattern on the thread "Would this niche be acceptable to you?". I posted a comment there.

This question stems from my recently completed tile job. This is my first tile job. I did a small herringbone backsplash in my kitchen. I started from the center and worked my way to both edges. One wall is fairly equal at both ends when compared to each other. The other wall is not "balanced" at the ends like your nice floor job. My tile is fairly small, so I think the ends aren't as noticeable to the casual viewer. Here is the wall I am referring to. The left side of the wall has very tiny cuts along the wall smaller than dimes!

I loved tiling! So for my second job I am planning on doing a black slate tile on my bathroom floor. Hopefully within the next year. I haven't decided on the layout yet. I may do a diagonal with squares, similar to your posted hallway image I've referred to above. Or, I might do a straight Versailles pattern that is pre cut. My room is about 7x9, so not real big. There is a "small" set of Versailles precut pattern at The Tile Shop that I liked. They also have a "large" set of Versailles. I'm leaning towards the Versailles pattern.

So, the second question is:

2) What is your opinion on a smallish floor and sizing of tiles?

Third and final question is:

3) What are your thoughts on tile patterns and sizes of rooms?

Thank you very much for your time and consideration on these questions.

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Comments (5)

bill_vincent
12 years ago
Quite honestly, I think you did an exceptional job on it!! Keep in mind you're going to have things on the countertop, and those little pieces won't be nearly as noticeable as you think. It's easy for me to sit here and "monday morning quarterback" this. If it were me, I would've started on the right with ALMOST what you have on the left-- cutting the triangles off the blocks, and starting from there. Thing is it still would've laid out to the same size piece in the corner. Diagonal herringbone is a little tougher to figure out what you're going to end up with, so what I'll normally do is lay some out dry on a flat surface, and take measurements to see how it's going to work out. if I see I'm going to have a little bitty piece like that (as in so close and yet so far), I'll see if I can open the pattern up a hair along the length of the wall. 9 times out of 10, I can do it and it's never seen, and then everyone says how lucky we are that it all worked out to full tile! LOL Seriously, though-- I wouldn't sweat that little piece. Where it's important-- at the far end of the counter, it looks great, and that's where it WILL be seen.

2) What is your opinion on a smallish floor and sizing of tiles?

I've heard that you're supposed to use small tiles on small floors and larger tiles on bigger floors. I say, use what you like. I've gone in the opposite direction on BOTH ends of that, and it looked great. It's all about what YOU like.

3) What are your thoughts on tile patterns and sizes of rooms?

With respect to patterns, the only opinion I'll give you is to try and stay away from a square soldier course pattern (just regular setting the tile in straight rows). The reason is that it "modulates" the room. IOW, it breaks the floor up into "modules", whereas even just turning that same pattern diagonal, it takes that effect away. Using your Versailles pattern, will do that even better, even laid straight. With smaller rooms, this isn't nearly as important, but the bigger the area, the more this makes a difference.
enduring
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks so much for your feedback Bill. My backsplash did finish up nicely on the right side, I hadn't notice that it looks like a 1/2 tile there, like it should...right? It was pure luck!

So 2 questions:
1) Once you figure out how many tiles it will take to finish a row all the way across, you just start at one end and proceed across? What I did with my stove wall was start center of the stove opening, because that is where you look when you walk in the room. Maybe with my 2x4 tile it didn't make much difference with that centering. I DO notice the directional chevron shape on larger herringbone tile and wonder what you would do in that case; treat it like your diagonal example on the other post, and make the edges be equal, having the pattern fall where it will within the confines of the field?

2) Now what does "modulate" mean, and how is this a negative visual effect?
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bill_vincent
12 years ago
1) Once you figure out how many tiles it will take to finish a row all the way across, you just start at one end and proceed across?

It all depends on how things will work out. In your case, centering and working to the two sides worked out EXTREMELY well, not just at the ends, but at the two sides of the hood, as well. but I've said many times, I don't lay out the same way twice. The only hard fast rule is however it will look the best in the most obvious areas.

2) Now what does "modulate" mean, and how is this a negative visual effect?

It means that when the tiles are placed square to the room, they tend to break the room up into sections (modules) the size of the tiles, whereas if you use any other pattern, it'll break that up completely, even taking that same soldier coursing and turning it diagonal.
enduring
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks Bill. You've been kind to complement my tile project and very helpful in general with all of your input on this forum. I am keeping my mind open and my hopes up for my next tile project!
bill_vincent
12 years ago
I'll tell you-- if, as a DIYer, that little piece is the worst you can fault the installation with? You've done an excellent job.

For Bill V, Question on Laying Out Tile Patterns, & etc.

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For Bill V, Question on Laying Out Tile Patterns, & etc.

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