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Design Dilemma Bathrooms

1/2 or 1/3 offset for bathroom floor tile?

houseofwindsor2

last year

Hello,

I have a smallish master bath that I am tiling with 12x24 tiles. The tile guy says the hot new thing is 1/2 offset but the place where I purchased the tile says the standard for floor tiles is 1/3 offset due to the possibility of lippage on a floor. The tile guy who is very experienced says he will make my floor completely flat. It has schluter system underneath.

My style of bathroom is between traditional and transitional - have a raised panel cabinet, likely rounded edge countertop but faucets are transitional.

Your help is appreciated and Happy Thanksgiving!

Featured Answer

chispa

last year

I have always had my 12 x 24 tile laid in 1/2 offset, because I hate the look of 1/3 offset. The tile installers I used never had a problem keeping the floor level and avoiding lippage. I always buy good quality tile from local tile stores (not big box).

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Comments (9)

PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
1/2 offset is the hot new thing?? Just about every subway tile back splash is 1/2 offset ( or brick ) pattern. I only recommend 1/3 because that is what the tile companies are saying. I have done 1/2 brick on a wall, but never suggested for the floor. I would be concerned about the lippage.

This is a 1/3 offset - it resembles a 1/2 brick pattern in how the tiles are laid.

I prefer the 1/3 step

You can also offset on the short side of the tile

I would open up a ox of tile and layout it out on the floor to see what you like the best

Good luck!
houseofwindsor2 thanked Debbi Washburn
kandrewspa
last year
If the manufacturer recommends 1/3 offset, just do 1/3. No one else is going to notice one way or another.
houseofwindsor2 thanked kandrewspa
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PRO
Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc.
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While 50/50 may not be manufacturer recommended, keep in mind that the largest concern here is about the longer, narrower plank format tiles, like 6 x24 or larger. Those you should never use a brick joint. Quality of the tile matters also as some 12x24 tile may not be suitable. That said, we almost always set a 12x24 in a 50/50, BUT have decades of experience and we approve the tile selection. If you really do have a very experienced Pro, let him guide you. Our clients wouldn't question our guidance but that trust is earned. As for lippage management systems, once again, experience/skill of installer and the tile itself would dictate the need. We only use a lippage mangement system rarely and teach our apprentices to set without before they ever learn to rely on them.
houseofwindsor2 thanked Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc.
seosmp
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I just had my main floor bathroom 12x24 tile set this week and went with the 1/3 offset per the tile box. This was the floor and shower walls. In my basement bathroom shower I went with 50/50 which is my preference. I decided to just follow the box this time😀 just in case…..
houseofwindsor2 thanked seosmp
AJCN
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Do 1/3 offset if that is what the manufacturer recommends. 1/2 offset with a large tile can lead to lippage (raised edges in the middle of each tile) and it will not be a nice smooth flat installtion of that happens. In addition to the 1/3 offset, the tile professional I used for all my bathrooms prefers to use a lippage control kit (there are many brands and types).
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Stonetech/Avanti Tile
last year
Personally, I like a 1/3 offset in a random pattern....but that's just me. First thing to do is inspect the tiles. Look down the edge to see it they're flat. Pretty close? OK...now put two of them face to face and see if they "spin" easily. If so....go 1/3. If not, you can go 50/50.
houseofwindsor2 thanked Stonetech/Avanti Tile
Fori
last year
I agree with Stonetech. Lay them out and see if they are flat enough for you. If they are, go for it.

They won't explode if you do a 1/2 offset and the mfr says to do 1/3.
houseofwindsor2 thanked Fori
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Skippack Tile & Stone
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It really boils down to the quality of the tiles and the skill set of the installer to ensure a great result. What are the tiles selected?

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