centered floor layout?

[Hornviper]

I don't mind starting with a full tile at the doorway or in one of the distant corners but if the area that's being tiled is out of square I might find myself up the stream without a paddle. I've seen that happen several times but a lot of people don't care. And probably rightfully so.

I've only helped other tilers and I am not a pro, as you can see. I only know what looks good to me and what doesn't.

 

[Dumbo]

Naturally. The cuts in the horizontal rows won't be exactly the same as the ones in the vertical rows. Can't argue with that. 🙂

But you said the American tile setter got the same cuts on all sides .

 

[Hornviper]

But you said the American tile setter got the same cuts on all sides .

I did. The same/similar size cuts along opposite walls. Similar cuts in the horizontal rows, similar cuts in the vertical rows. Not the same/similar around the perimeter. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Hornviper]

I worked for him for a few months. He used to find the center points of all four walls and snap lines. (so there's a cross in the middle of the room) Then he would make sure the intersecting lines formed a 90 degree angle. That's why I was a little surprised when I went to Germany. No one cared. No measuring or worrying about small cuts, symmetry, balanced cuts, etc. The only problem was that most rooms weren't perfectly square.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

@Hornviper - I see from your November welcome that you are young and new to tiling!
My advice would be to forget the habits of those you’ve seen who ‘don’t care’ and learn this trade correctly.
You’ll never work on a building site in Britain ( as you have no location in your profile) if you don’t set a room out symmetrically. Architects and designers have no tolerances for the aesthetics of tile spacing, pattern continuation etc. IMHO .
In the private contract market a skilled tiler will spend a good length of time setting out the room prior to fixing their first tile so they know where every tile will finish.

 

[Hornviper]

Good to know, John. I know that most/all of you don't mind going through the hassle of measuring, squaring things up and basically doing what you think is best. I wanted to learn to tile the UK way as I respect what you guys do, but I never got to work with a British tiler. I live in the EU and things are different. I just don't like the idea of starting somewhere and hoping for the best or saying "well that's how they fit". I know a few people who work in the UK (in the private contract market) and symmetry is the last thing on their mind. The currency exchange rates are more important but anyway... 🙂 I don't want to be like them and I hope there's nothing wrong with that. I know who I want to learn from.

 

[Albert]

Good to know, John. I know that most/all of you don't mind going through the hassle of measuring, squaring things up and basically doing what you think is best. I wanted to learn to tile the UK way as I respect what you guys do, but I never got to work with a British tiler. I live in the EU and things are different. I just don't like the idea of starting somewhere and hoping for the best or saying "well that's how they fit". I know a few people who work in the UK (in the private contract market) and symmetry is the last thing on their mind. The currency exchange rates are more important but anyway... 🙂 I don't want to be like them and I hope there's nothing wrong with that. I know who I want to learn from.

You have come to the right place

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

@Hornviper - I see from your November welcome that you are young and new to tiling!
My advice would be to forget the habits of those you’ve seen who ‘don’t care’ and learn this trade correctly.
You’ll never work on a building site in Britain ( as you have no location in your profile) if you don’t set a room out symmetrically. Architects and designers have no tolerances for the aesthetics of tile spacing, pattern continuation etc. IMHO .
In the private contract market a skilled tiler will spend a good length of time setting out the room prior to fixing their first tile so they know where every tile will finish.

Good call TJ spot on.

 

[Dumbo]

Good to know, John. I know that most/all of you don't mind going through the hassle of measuring, squaring things up and basically doing what you think is best. I wanted to learn to tile the UK way as I respect what you guys do, but I never got to work with a British tiler. I live in the EU and things are different. I just don't like the idea of starting somewhere and hoping for the best or saying "well that's how they fit". I know a few people who work in the UK (in the private contract market) and symmetry is the last thing on their mind. The currency exchange rates are more important but anyway... 🙂 I don't want to be like them and I hope there's nothing wrong with that. I know who I want to learn from.

I'm not being funny but the next time you are in Germany maybe you should find some German tilers and see what they are doing .

 

[Hornviper]

I'm not being funny but the next time you are in Germany maybe you should find some German tilers and see what they are doing .

I did not in any way, shape or form say that they were bad, so I am not knocking them. The ones I worked with weren't fond of balanced layouts and probably with good reason. I probably shouldn't care too much about setting out and all, but I guess I am too freaking dumb.