How best to Tile a room?

[Flintstone]

You must have run out massively as i can see the edge of the Photo that only half the room is done. If it was me now I would try and concentrate on getting the floor flat, rather then level, if you can. If it's safe to do so, sand down the ridges carefully. I also wouldn't recommend another full pour over that area again as I don't think you improve it a great deal

 

[Flintstone]

Also, has the back door become just a window now?

 

[mp3wizard]

Yep the cost has certainly spiralled out of control, I accept that what I've saved on labour I've paid out on buying additional bags, to get an adequate coating I and think everyone massively underestimated the bags that I needed, (bought 5, then another 3, then another 5, then another 10, and another 10 turning up today) so 33 bags, I'd say if I chisled out the cable and had a lower starting point, I could of probably got away with 20-25 bags. so yep you were entirely right, should of got someone in to do the slc. I guesed I undercleaned the spiked roller, hence it not being able to spin properly.

The bifolds are fully operational as they open outwards, from inside it'll look ok, from outside it'll look ok, but If I have the doors open and am looking into the house i'll be able to see a raised floor level, maybe a decorative tile on the side, once I've removed the foam strip.

I fully anticipated a bit of a backlash from how the SLC has gone and was reluctant to upload, but the thread will hopefully help people in the future to avoid some of the mistakes I've made.

The main thing for me is just getting it level now to tile on, so hopefully it will be by end of play tomorrow.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Listen the only reason we have put the comments on is because that's what the forum is about. A few comments have been unhelpful but as it's panning out some of the early replies are proven correct. As you've made it clear you were always going to do it yourself, the thread progresses and hopefully further posts will prove helpful to you. We are only on 21 pages and 345 replies so it's certainly an epic which I have no doubt will provide an insight into the issues which you have faced and how you've overcome adversity.
Keep posting, keep reading and keep going.

 

[mp3wizard]

thanks, so looking ahead, hopefully I might lay a tile this year, would you say that I should have full sized tiles visible on entering the rooms with cuts on the left behind the wall (probably a sofa ontop) or would you have the cuts on entering room with then rows of full size tiles going along.

 

[widler]

Id work from your bifolds, grout line from the centre of the bifold or full tile centred to the bifold, which ever works best .
Centre your main room and work from there

 

[Flintstone]

I agree with widler, that's the width, the full tile does look good when entering the toom, if it works nice elsewhere too, it may also be nice having symmetrical cuts in the kitchen area assuming that's as it appears on the diagram

 

[mp3wizard]

ok thanks, is it possible to use an orbital sander to smooth out the ridges rather than a angle grinder? there is quite a thick covering so I'm confident I wouldn't get anywhere near the wires...

 

[Flintstone]

Yes get some 60 grit on and wear a mask

 

[mp3wizard]

I used the orbital sander to get some of the ridges down, so I've done some layouts of tiles to get an idea of the best possible layout, and I've sketched my plan attached, 2 walls are different by half an inch, so I'm planning to take half an inch from the edge of the bottom right tile, for the grout lines to be in the same position all the way along, I plan to not do the radiator tiles, as i'll need a plumber in to remove the radiator and then I can drill threw the tile part. I've also not planned the kitchen or bathroom as I'm guessing that they will lead on from the grout lines in the main room.

I also put down a few tiles dry to practice using the levelling system, the tiles are perfectly level, but the wedges felt like they couldn't go any further, is that correct or was I not forceful enough?

I've got 5 bags of flexible adhesive which are rapid set, I should get a delivery tomorrow of another 15 which are slow set, so maybe I can use the rapid set at the end if I'm feeling confident enough.

I've read threw this thread religiously so I think I am set, but if there are any comments on my plan or better ways of doing it I'm all ears.

 

[mp3wizard]

 

[widler]

Looks odd to me , if you moved the tiles over towards your kitchen halfish you grout line will run down the centre of the room and a equal cut at either end and what looks like nearly anfull tile to the kitchen plinth,if you get my drift

 

[Flintstone]

Inches! Retro

 

[mp3wizard]

i know the usual thing is to split the difference either side but I actually prefer walking in to a full sized tile, I'm planning to put furniture and stuff on the left hand wall so my logic was to see as big and full as possible, but I understand your point.

 

[John Benton]

It would work if the bi-fold wall and kitchen walls are at 90 degrees. If they run out then you will end up either cutting a little bit of each tile or trying to fill a gap. Run a chalk line at 90 degrees to the doors and then measure to the kitchen wall all the way along and see how far out it runs. You may have to cut say 40mm off the r/h side of the tile to allow for any discrepancy in the wall, and that amount wouldn't be noticeable to the eye.

 

[Italy]

i know the usual thing is to split the difference either side but I actually prefer walking in to a full sized tile, I'm planning to put furniture and stuff on the left hand wall so my logic was to see as big and full as possible, but I understand your point.

same for me, as marked on the drawing

 

[widler]

Well, this is a new one on me, not working from a centre point ?? Not working so it's visually pleasing to the eye ? Im suprised really, nah im not really 🙂
I know lets just put a cut where im putting the settee, be reet that .

 

[John Benton]

Well, this is a new one on me, not working from a centre point ?? Not working so it's visually pleasing to the eye ?
I know lets just put a cut where im putting the settee, be reet that .

You're right Craig it would look better centralised and as you walk into that room then it would be symmetrical, and that would be my personal preference.

 

[Old Mod]

See now I don't agree. 😀
I'm not talking about this job in particular, I'm talking generally. A room doesn't always look best centred imo. A room looks best with the overall effect being pleasing, and if that means hiding a cut under a sofa, then so be it.
I'm not saying this is the best set out for this room, but I can see the merit of looking from the main door or hallway and seeing 3 full tiles across the opening and down into the family room.
I feel that a room of this size is difficult to see as a whole once you're in it, you can't actually see it all within your field of view.
So does centralising it really matter?
Surely you want impact?
So as you enter a property and look through you want to see it for its best, cos once you're in the room it's too big to take it in all at once.
So in some instances I'd be happy to put a smaller cut where it'll be covered with furniture if the rest gave a better effect. But that's just me. 🙂

 

[Italy]

See now I don't agree. 😀
I'm not talking about this job in particular, I'm talking generally. A room doesn't always look best centred imo. A room looks best with the overall effect being pleasing, and if that means hiding a cut under a sofa, then so be it.
I'm not saying this is the best set out for this room, but I can see the merit of looking from the main door or hallway and seeing 3 full tiles across the opening and down into the family room.
I feel that a room of this size is difficult to see as a whole once you're in it, you can't actually see it all within your field of view.
So does centralising it really matter?
Surely you want impact?
So as you enter a property and look through you want to see it for its best, cos once you're in the room it's too big to take it in all at once.
So in some instances I'd be happy to put a smaller cut where it'll be covered with furniture if the rest gave a better effect. But that's just me. 🙂

for me it is normal, the more you have the entire tile for the expansion joint, without cutting tiles.
but this, this is the praxis in an apartment with furniture to one side.
different matter, when it comes to shops or larger environments.

 

[Old Mod]

I agree Antonio.
Every space is different and I think every area should be treated accordingly. 🙂

 

[Time's Ran Out]

And of course there is always going to be a sofa there to hide it!!
Not the best answer to a setting out procedure.

 

[Old Mod]

And of course there is always going to be a sofa there to hide it!!
Not the best answer to a setting out procedure.

Doesn't really matter, we don't live there, if that's what the client wants, that's what a client gets.
We're taught to centre everything, don't mean it's always right.

 

[Italy]

maybe it's time to open a new trend ....
how to set tiling .....
I now, after 35 years I am very confused .....

 

[widler]

Well I will eat my hat, I wish I could go through all the posts on here where you lot always advise to centre the room , and to make it look symmetrical, cuts the same at either end etc.
is it because Ive advised it ? , bit of a joke if I'm honest.
Trusted advises giving shoddy advice imo , I can't wait until his bloody wife says " no no , I don't want the settee there , it looks odd .
Good morning by the way ,

 

[John Benton]

Just pray that @mp3wizard doesn't get into Feng Shui otherwise he could be in trouble…….

 

[Andy Allen]

Well I will eat my hat, I wish I could go through all the posts on here where you lot always advise to centre the room , and to make it look symmetrical, cuts the same at either end etc.
is it because Ive advised it ? , bit of a joke if I'm honest.
Trusted advises giving shoddy advice imo , I can't wait until his bloody wife says " no no , I don't want the settee there , it looks odd .
Good morning by the way ,

 

[widler]

Doesn't really matter, we don't live there, if that's what the client wants, that's what a client gets.
We're taught to centre everything, don't mean it's always right.

bull Marc, we are here to advise how to do it the right way , imo and every person I know, centring the room is the right advice , wizard, don't bother listening to advice any more, do it as you like my friend

 

[widler]

Im as happy as Larry Andy, I'm just shocked

 

[widler]

Next bit of advice , if you run out of tiles, take a few full ones up in the middle, replace with broken bits and grout, it won't matter the wifeis putting a rug over it

 

[Old Mod]

What the hell is wrong with you Craig.
What are you the setting out police?
Show me where it's written in stone that you have to centre every area.
That's complete bull and sometimes aesthetically wrong.