Should i use batten to ensure straightness?

[PeteySands]

Hi

This is my second hopeful advice post this morning. I'm a first timer looking to over-tile my kitchen splashback in 6mm thick 10x30cm ceramic metros (over 10x10cm rough-cut stone-effect (not sure which material)). The other post was about whether to prepare the wall to reduce slippage. This one is regarding how I should set about ensuring straight lines.

My worktops and cabinets appear to have been installed extremely straight as per photos. My query is about whether I should just start centrally at worktop level, behind the cooker hob to ensure symmetry (so long as this doesn't leave me with uncuttable thin slivers at either side) and move up and out. My thinking is that using the worktop as my guide should ensure straightness. Or should I affix some sort of wooden batten system like I have seen some sites advise online.

 

[Trigger]

If your worktops are level I would start on a full tile working up, providing this works when cutting around sockets, cupboards etc. I would also centre on the hob, again providing all other cuts work out.

 

[PeteySands]

Thanks for that, Trigger. Just needed a bit of reassurance I think.

I've done my measurements though and I don't think I'll be able to centre behind the hob, unless I want to leave myself a tiny sliver to the left. What's the smallest cut you recommend attempting?

 

[Trigger]

Have you also worked out the layout based on using the centre of a tile as your centre line on the hob (if that makes sense) rather than a grout line. It might avoid having a small cut elsewhere.

With regards the size of a small cut, its a difficult one. It is whatever you think will look right, if its to small it will look awful though.

 

[PeteySands]

Yeah, I tried both configurations. I think one left me with around 4cm and the other even less. I also seem to recall that the centre point way was also not looking good for electric points.

I've got quite a lot of prep to do before I start now. Going to have to replace plasterboard which is coming off with the tiles. Once I've done that I'll go back to my planning and see what the lesser of two evils is; I'd happily sacrifice a small cut in the corner behind the bread bin if it means having a nice centre behind the hob.

Thanks again, your advice is really helpful.