Arrows on back of porcelain tiles

[Dave H]

Do you take note of direction arrows on back of most porcelain, are they for tilers benefit or just
for production purposes, have spoken to various tilers with varying thoughts

 

[nybor62]

what arrows , lol

 

[Tony73]

what arrows , lol

arrows on the back of the tile :lol:

 

[Dave H]

Obviously you don't, have a look next time you fix porcelain, normally a small arrow at one edge, and normally following direction of any pattern.

 

[John Benton]

Obviously you don't, have a look next time you fix porcelain, normally a small arrow at one edge, and normally following direction of any pattern.

You've answered your own question there then Dave if the arrows point in the direction of a pattern to follow!

 

[AliGage]

This way up?? lol

Can't say ive ever paid attention to it, the pattern on the face of the tile usually tells you. I would of hazard a guess at a production marking though. If any tile has a destinct pattern, surely just look at the tile face?

 

[Dave H]

You've answered your own question there then Dave if the arrows point in the direction of a pattern to follow!

Normally yes, but not always the case, also had some Cotto de este 60x60 recently that were a fraction difference in size one way to other, over a few tiles this makes a difference.

 

[Ajax123]

They're for the cowboy tilers so they can think they are being attacks by Indians....

 

[carlito]

Just done over 200m2 of 60 x 60 porcelain and noticed the arrows. Didn't pay too much attention to them but tiles have gone down ok.

 

[nybor62]

Obviously you don't, have a look next time you fix porcelain, normally a small arrow at one edge, and normally following direction of any pattern.

i was being sarcastic, dont usually take much notice of them to be honest

 

[jonnyc]

come on !!!
someone must know the real answer .
just stating that you have seen them but not taken any heed or notice or thought given, before laying and anyway it was ok is not the answer we are looking for,surely.
being a stone man primarily, i dont have arrows on the back of my tiles and i have to make a decision about how i lay stone based on the linear marking in some tiles. but i would not do this without consulting my client . unless it was cross cut travertine for example i would lay the stone random as the striaton marks may turn as the tiles from block are cut

 

[Dougs Third Go]

I always thought that it was the recommended way to score and snap them.

 

[jonnyc]

I should also add that i have had packs of tiles where they say that you should follow the arrow on the back and others where nothing is mentioned at all.
if you are told to follow the arrow, this brings a whole new dimension of problems whereby you should mark off cuts where the arrow has been cut off for future use , to be only used on that axis.
this in itself presents a huge problem if you are responsible for stating how much wastage should be allowed for.
if arrows mean nothing then we have nothing to worry about.
but to simply state that you have seen them but not even given any thought is puzzling

 

[Peter]

Would imagine they're to show you which way to follow a grain, then on non grained tiles perhaps they're just using the same underside template?

Only thing I've used which needed to follow the arrows were Klinker Sires as they had a bit of a difference you wouldn't notice until they were laid. Square tile but 2mm shorter on the arrow sides.

 

[AliGage]

Still think its a production branding, much like the what you call it things on silver and gold.

 

[Turkish tiler]

arrow on back of tiles means, tiles are derictional tiles
all arrows should point one direction
I allways check back of the tiles bofore a start layin (ceramic or porcelain)

 

[John Benton]

Normally yes, but not always the case, also had some Cotto de este 60x60 recently that were a fraction difference in size one way to other, over a few tiles this makes a difference.

Even though the arrows are all pointing in the same direction it could be that some tiles are poor quality and the calibration is poor. Had it before when customers have bought tiles and they have all been the same batch numbers but they were out by mm even in the same box.

 

[peteablard]

Would imagine they're to show you which way to follow a grain, then on non grained tiles perhaps they're just using the same underside template?

Only thing I've used which needed to follow the arrows were Klinker Sires as they had a bit of a difference you wouldn't notice until they were laid. Square tile but 2mm shorter on the arrow sides.

i had exactly the same problem with a job I did earlier this year. I had looked for an arrow but missed it, it turned into a nightmare as soon as the second row started to go down. On closer inspection I found a tiny arrow, ran them the same way and it was fine.

 

[Ajax123]

The arrows on porcelaine tiles are a guide for the direction of loading the moulds into the firing kilns. They are for production purposes.

 

[charlie1]

Funny this comes up now as i recently fitted a load of porcelanosa 60x60 with the arrows on them... I only noticed half way through thought! ...very interesting question

 

[Rizzle from the Portizzle]

the arrows on the tiles show the way they where glazed and fired on hight glaze tiles can look like diffrent shades on walls if you dout follow the arrows next time you come acrross this put a tile under good light with the arrow facing up then turn the other tile round stand back and look at the shades see if it changes with the way the light hits it

 

[jonnyc]

the arrows on the tiles show the way they where glazed and fired on hight glaze tiles can look like diffrent shades on walls if you dout follow the arrows next time you come acrross this put a tile under good light with the arrow facing up then turn the other tile round stand back and look at the shades see if it changes with the way the light hits it

this sounds like a good answer. who told you this ray.
doesnt it mean though that you may need to allow for more wastage than normal and have to ask if there are arrows on the back before you decide how many sq mts you need .also have to mark every off cut you have left over where you have already used part of tile with arrow on it!!
i had this recently on a big floor and we certainly used more than normal because we had arrows in same direction

 

[Ajax123]

Italian Ceramic Tiles - Italian Tiles - Ceramic Tiles of Italy - ItalyTile.com

 

[Dave H]

Good to get some sensible feedback, thanks to Ajax123 for link, thought that was
the case, but will still check tiles before laying

 

[Tony73]

this sounds like a good answer. who told you this ray.
doesnt it mean though that you may need to allow for more wastage than normal and have to ask if there are arrows on the back before you decide how many sq mts you need .also have to mark every off cut you have left over where you have already used part of tile with arrow on it!!
i had this recently on a big floor and we certainly used more than normal because we had arrows in same direction

I allways mark off cuts, so i know where arrows should be. If i start walls with arrows UP, i ceap it that way. ( only some off cuts stick with arrows down, but don't turn to left or right)