brickwork style tiling... help! - TilersForums.com

tony76 · Sep 5, 2011

Hi all, i am about to start tiling my bathroom walls , and i want to tile it brickwork style, i was wondering if anybody could give me any advice on starting this,and setting out, the tile size i am useing are 361mmx276mm, and 9mm thick, and going to use a 3mm spacer, as i want to tile the floor in the same tiles to
any idea on where i should start from? i was going to start 1 tile up from the bath ( although it will be about just over 3/4 of a tile, as the bath for some reason isnt level all the way around, would this be ok, or should i start 1 tile up from the floor?
also i believe the corners can be a problem with this style of tiling,any tips about that?

many thanks

White Room · Sep 5, 2011

Have you put two of the tile faces against each other to check thay are flat and are your walls flat as well..

Hi and welcome..

The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP · Sep 5, 2011

Hi are your tiles ceramic, porcelain? the size you are using hopefully won't cause any bowing problems, if you search the forums, looking for setting out methods. You might find some good tips, eg. making staffs, gauge sticks etc. Hope this helps, if not there are enough pro's on here to guide you through it step by step

The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP · Sep 5, 2011

Sorry Mark, I should have explained my bowing remark in more detail, yours puts it in a better way ( face to face)

tony76 · Sep 5, 2011

thanks for the advice, the tiles i am using are ceramic ( marble effect ones frome b an q!), the walls are not perfectly flat, but nothing to major i hope! i have put the sprit level againt the corners and some of them are off, tht why i am worried about the corners, and where to start tiling from

Mike · Sep 5, 2011

the walls need to be really flat to get a good finish in brick bond. as for the corners try and have a full tile go round the corner, i.e. 1/3 then 2/3 of a tile or a 1/4 then 3/4 . you should start as close to the bottom as possible to avoid working downwards.

Daz · Sep 5, 2011

As Phil has advised, there are many methods for setting out the room. The key is to find a datum both horizontally and vertically that means that you get good cuts above bath, to floor & ceiling, around windows & doors and every other "obstacle" in the room. With brickbond I always try to carry the illusion of a full tile around a corner which can mean adjusting datums many times.
Search the forum for setting out tips, and whatever you do, don't rush the setting out as it will make or break your job.

Post some pics of the room and ask questions and we'll try and guide you through.
Good luck,

Daz

White Room · Sep 5, 2011

If you have a window I try to have that as a focal point..

The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP · Sep 5, 2011

If you centre each wall, to give a pleasing aesthetic effect, then by making a staff a piece of timber with tile joints marked on , you can set out each wall to give the best cuts. If you have a wall that is say 10mm out of plumb, and you need to start with a full and half tile.

You can find the most prominent part of the wall (top or bottom) and start your full/half tile, then scribe the rest of the cuts to suit. Hope this makes sense