Laying plank wood effect tiles

[Jimmy2081]

I'm planning to diy lay some plank wood effect tiles, size 114x20 and would appreciate advice in terms of what I'll be doing

These are 9mm porcelain rectified tiles, so I'm thinking to go with a 3mm grout line, is this ok?

As these are large format tiles I'll be using a 10x20mm notch trowel, is this ok?

The dimensions of the room are 3.35 width by 6.87 length

I'll be laying the tiles across the length of the floor.

Should I go with a random layout i.e use the offcut from the last row for the next row? or a 1/3 running bond?

Re the 1/3 running bond if I've understood correctly the first row will be laid down as full lengths the second row will be 1/3 and the third row will be 2/3 and the forth will be back to a full length tile, is this correct?

Any advice would be welcomed

 

[Bond]

Personally I’d go random bond, 2mm grout line, 12mm notched trowel and back skim tiles , and run with the room length.

 

[Jimmy2081]

Personally I’d go random bond, 2mm grout line, 12mm notched trowel and back skim tiles , and run with the room length.

If i was to go down the random bond route i think the offcut that would be left for the next row would be too small?

Length of room 6.87m

If I've worked this out correctly 😉

114 x 6 planks = 6.84m which will leave me an offcut of 0.3m that's not factoring the 3mm grout joints so it'll be 0.12m offcut I'll be left with

Is there a rule as to what minimum size offcut you should use for a random bond layout?

If i can help it i would want to keep wasting to a mimimim

 

[Tony_C]

Random bond for me.

You don't have to use the offcut from the first row then, just cut a random length off another tile and continue from there.

The only rule for what size would be to make sure it doesn't leave you with a very small cut at the other end. Also check the box for patterns that are not advised, they may advise no half bond so you would be looking to avoid that also.

 

[Jimmy2081]

Random bond for me.

You don't have to use the offcut from the first row then, just cut a random length off another tile and continue from there.

The only rule for what size would be to make sure it doesn't leave you with a very small cut at the other end. Also check the box for patterns that are not advised, they may advise no half bond so you would be looking to avoid that also.

Random it is then! I'll definitely be avoiding the half bond thanks!

Whatever offcut size i go with should i stick with that size throughout? Or should i adjust the size every few rows?

What grout joint would you recommend 2 or 3mm is there a big difference when laid? They are rectified tiles

I'll be using a U notch 10x20mm trowel

 

[Tony_C]

Random it is then! I'll definitely be avoiding the half bond thanks!

What grout joint would you recommend 2 or 3mm is there a big difference? They are rectified tiles

I'll be using a U notch 10x20mm trowel

Personally i also would probably go for a 2mm as i just prefer the look and that should be ok for rectified, 3mm is usually advised on floors but i'd dry lay a few to make sure the sizing is ok anyway.

If possible remove your skirting also and leave a gap for expansion and then hide that gap when you refit the skirting. This will also give you some leeway with your cut whenever you come to rip a full length tile length ways.

 

[Jimmy2081]

Personally i also would probably go for a 2mm as i just prefer the look and that should be ok for rectified, 3mm is usually advised on floors but i'd dry lay a few to make sure the sizing is ok anyway.

If possible remove your skirting also and leave a gap for expansion and then hide that gap when you refit the skirting. This will also give you some leeway with your cut whenever you come to rip a full length tile length ways.

Cheers Tony

All the skirting has been removed 🙂

I added another comment to my post, keen to get your thoughts
Whatever offcut size i go with should i stick with that size throughout? Or should i adjust the size every few rows?

 

[Tony_C]

Alternate if you feel it's going to repeat every row or so, it shouldn't really though
[automerge]1573770637[/automerge]
You will have minimum waste by going random also, also quicker to lay 😀

 

[Jimmy2081]

Alternate if you feel it's going to repeat every row or so, it shouldn't really though
[automerge]1573770637[/automerge]
You will have minimum waste by going random also, also quicker to lay 😀

Cheers!

Just a thought, so I'll use a full tile if needs be for an offcut once the offcut is laid do i lay the remaining tile after the offcut is laid to continue the row along the length of the room or do I Iay a full uncut length instead?

Once done will post a pic, will not rush it and take it nice and slow 🙂

 

[Tony_C]

You should only start and finish with a cut tile. Everything bewteen a full tile 👍