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Tile layout help needed ...

12 years ago

We are putting in ceramic tile in our entry-hallway-laundry room, continuing into the kitchen (PDF file here http://gndloop.org/images/Visio-hall_ent_laundry.pdf )

We've selected a nice 18x18 tile (actually 17.875x17.875 with a 3/16 grout allowance) and have a concern about the layout in an area where the hallway slants at an odd angle (around 20 degrees) toward the kitchen. We selected a key point in the middle of the hall/entry area for a diagonal layout and all looks good for most of the area. (There is a stone mosaic being placed in the blue outline in the entryway).

What about the layout in the area going to the kitchen where the hallway slants? We've gotten advice in the past to just let odd areas like this sort themselves out with the main layout, but have a few concerns about how it will look (not to mention the pain in cutting such odd angles!).

A second question involves the sheen ... Crossville appear to have increased the amount of sheen in the tile (Cross-sheen TM) since we looked at a sample and ordered the tile. We'd like to put on a more matte surface treatment if possible to minimize the animal tracks. Any advice?

BTW, the tile is 18'x18' Crossville ColorBlox in "Sidewalk Chalk", a slightly greenish grey in a shiny matte (if that makes any sense) finish. Grout will be a matching grey (3/16 width). Our look is transitional (contemporary- traditional with clean lines).

Here is a link that might be useful: Tile layout

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Comments (4)

bill_vincent
12 years ago
My suggestion, unless it gives you some really screwed up cuts in the kitchen would be to center the tile on both hallways, and whatever happens in the angled area, happens.

As for cutting the odd angles, it's just as easy as cutting in square laid tiles. Before you start, lay 3 tiles in an "L", with the exact grout joint you intend to use. Now take a measurement, starting with 1" on the point of the bottom right corner of the piece at the top of the "L", down to the bottom right corner of the piece at the "leg" of the "L". Subtract that inch, and there's your diagonal coursing measurement (you start on an inch, because you want an exact measurement, and the end of the tape won't be exact enough)

Now that you have your coursing measurement, add 1/8" to it, and that's your cutting measurement. Now, in order to measure the cut, you want to place it exactly where the first full tile in back of the cut will be. Once the tile is in place, mark your coursing measurement on one side, and then the other, and cut. It'll fit exactly, no matter what the angle.

Matter of fact, I think you've just inspired me to add another "how to" pictorial series to my website. :-) I'll see about taking the pictures tomorrow or wednesday. :-)
gnorris2
Original Author
12 years ago
Bill, thanks for the reply ... it really didn't look too bad, but wanted to be sure we considered all options.

Any advice on moderating the gloss of the tile? It's not high gloss, but shiny enough to show paw prints. Looking at something like Glaze n' Seal Matte Floor Polish to pull it down a bit (data sheet says ok for porcelain tile).
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Wow, that is beautiful Bill. That is where I got the idea from is pictures I'd seen online and I liked it. Ok I have another choice to go with. We're having tile put in through out the living room, great room and hall ways. The living room is sunken so to let people know they need to step up or down, I'm looking at a mosaic to show there is a step. There is the landing coming in the front door stepping down into the room then there are three entry's going to the kitchen, great room and hall stepping up. Here is what I liked and brought home to show DH and to see how I like it. We are also tearing out the tile in the kitchen replacing it with the same tile going in the other rooms. Kitchen tile is ceramic and the new tile will be porcelain. If I use this mosaic tile on the floor will it look good going around the wall at eye level at the stove?
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I think if you center you end up with two 10, two 5.5 and the 2 inch bullnose which will look kind of odd with each tile roughly half the width of the one next to it from the center out. Or you end up with a sliver. Have you considered tiling horizontally with the 13 across rather than the 10? I've completely rejected tile because it came in sizes I did not think laid out well on the wall I was working with
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I prefer the first orientation you posted as it matches the wall tile orientation; more importantly though, it makes the room look wider vs. narrower.
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The backing is Widiboard(?). The 16x22" niche includes the lip around which is now covered up by the tile. Several people on here mentioned using smaller tile. I can't remember the exact size but I think my tile is 3 or 4x12". What size smaller tile? I was even thinking about going with the larger tile to avoid having so much grout. This is the mosaic I had planned the whole shower around (see pic). I LOVE this pattern but I'm going to return it and get something without a pattern.
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bill_vincent
12 years ago
I would not change the look of the tile at all. You'll be very sorry. It'll tend to show a wear path where the most walked on areas will wear off before the rest of it, forcing you into much higher maintenence, and that's supposed the be one of the pluses with ceramic tile-- the LACK of needed maintenence.

If you don't like the look of the tile, you might want to switch to another tile before it goes in.
sweeby
12 years ago
I think your picture looks fine, and Bill's advice to 'ignore' the weird angle area is right on target.

We have a similar issue in one of our bathrooms, where an angled shower makes an odd angle. We just ignored it, and kept the floor tile doing what it did...

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