Tiling - Where to begin and other useful tips

[curtis]

Hi

I am going to have my first bash at tiling at the weekend. I am tiling around the bath 3 walls (floor to ceiling) with 6" white tiles.

Can anyone offer some of the basic tips like:-

Where to actually begin corner / at floor level / somewhere else?
Is using a guide stick necessary and where do I start if I do use one?
Any useful tips for tile cutting (technique rather than what to buy)

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me get over the hurdle of placing that first tile.


Curtis

 

[Igorian]

I'm not an expert, but planning is the key.

1) Don't start from any edge. If the wall/ceiling is not straight the lines will run off and it will look pants.

2) Make a scaled plan of the wall.

3) Draw the tiles on the scaled plan. Adjust so that you don't end up with a sliver at one end and a big gap at the other. Do the same top & bottom.

4) Using the plan, measure the distance between floor/skirt and first row of complete tiles and draw a straight line. Pin a batton to the wall, along this line.

5) Again, using plan, start from middle of the wall and tile the first row, using the batton to rest the first row of tiles. Use tile spacers, but fit them like you would matches so you can pull them out when the adhesive dries. Makes grouting easier because they sometimes sit proud.

6) Continue up to the last complete row. When you have finished, you can measure the gaps for edges and cut them to fit the profile of your wall/ceiling.

7) Invest in an electric tile cutter. <£30 from diy shop and will save time, frustration and broken tiles.

8) Notice the use of 'The Plan'. They are boring to produce take time to adjust and mess around with, but unless you have the knack of doing it by eye, is the only way (IMO) to get good results.

 

[nelsy]

Go th the 'How to' section of this site (see the bar at the top). Then choose 'Decorating' - look down the list and you will find complete sections on 'Tiling floors', 'Tiling walls',...

 

[pipme]

Your tiles should be flat as a whole, perpendicular, square, equi-gapped and have no eye catching narrow components, all irrespective of the wall shape.
If the wall is too bad .. fix the wall first !
A 'proper job' as they say in these parts.

Ig virtually said it all ..... nearly !

P

 

[Anton]

One teeny weeny thing I would add: And of course, it's all a matter of personal taste, granted.
There is the danger that ' floor to ceiling' all white tiles might just make it look a bit 'Butchers shoppy'
Just a thought.........

 

[masona]

' floor to ceiling' all white tiles might just make it look a bit 'Butchers shoppy'
Just a thought.........

Or the Men public toilet !

I agreed, normally looks better 50% tiles and 50% cladding or wallpaper etc....

 

[david and julie]

I did as Masona says 5 years ago in my bathroom 50/50 tiles very small dado (about 1") then wallpaper and bath room paint. Still looks great no problems with peeling.

Can now paint a diferent colour/new blind/accessories etc and you have a different room in a day. Great!

 

[curtis]

The tiles are now on the wall and it all went very well (easier and considerably more rewarding than I expected)

With regards to the "look" - its a personal thing but after growing up in a house that had wallpaper in the bathroom I can see no appeal to go there again. The tiled area is in an alcove where the bath is located, keeping it functional and bright, the rest of the bathroom is simply plastered and painted and gentle but warm tone.

Although the racks with the pig carcass and the row of 11 urinals probably don't help.

Thanks again for the interest and I would def. recommend the plan.... it saved me from a lot of problems that would have occurred later down the line.


C

 

[AdamW]

What my parents did in a fully tiled shower room (all white 6" tiles) was to have a single row of art deco style patterned tiles halfway up, that went all round the room. Breaks it up nicely. They are a lot more expensive than the plain white tiles though.

I am planning to fully white tile my bathroom too, just need to get a whole weekend to myself!

 

[AFH Dan]

You done your tiling yet?

Regards
PITT Dan