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Any good tile men out there?

| Posted in Construction Techniques on April 7, 2002 05:28am

I need to tile a tub surround and ceiling ( of the tub surround)  with a diamond shaped tile (aprox. 7″). I’m trying to figure out how to make all the corners come together in an attractive way, and I just don’t know where to begin. The walls and ceiling are not “perfectly” plumb and level either and that is of a concern to me also. I picked up Michael Byrnes book on setting tile. It’s a great book, but it’s a little vague on diagonal layouts. Anybody have any suggestions on how to make the diamonds meet and how to lay out a pattern?

                                                    Big John

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  1. Gabe | Apr 07, 2002 05:47am | #1

    John,

    You may want to go down to your tile supply store showroom and look at different borders to work with. There are plastic and metal edgings that may do the trick for you. Every second tile will have to be cut and it would be easier for you to start with a pre-manufactured edge.

    Gabe

    1. jwalls10 | Apr 07, 2002 05:54am | #2

      Gabe, Thanks for your reply.

      What do you mean by every second tile has to be cut?

      1. Gabe | Apr 07, 2002 06:01am | #3

        "If" your tile pattern isn't designed for diagonal installation half of your starter and end tiles will have to be cut to fit. Most tiles are slightly bevelled with the top glazing and if you have to cut a tile, you end up with a sharp edged tile with exposed red edges. Butting it against the pre-finished edging covers that cut up.

        Gabe

        1. User avater
          JeffBuck | Apr 07, 2002 06:44am | #4

          I've laid out goofy stuff like this before with the help of gravity and a template.

          If the walls and layout seem to ve stumping me.....I'd take some cardboard.....cut it to fit the 3 walls exact.....in place mark plumb and level......then lay it out somewhere flat where you can lay the tiles down to see how it'll work out.

          I've never done this with a tiled bath....but it should work. Done just aboput everything else at one time or another with the old cardboard template.

          When everything's outta wack....you gotta decide what you can fudge...and what the most obvious point of focus is...and make it up from there.

          OR......straighten the walls. Jeff   *  Jeff J. Buck/ Buck Construction/ Pittsburgh, PA  *    

          2nd Generation Buck Const, 3rd generation Craftsman                         

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