centered floor layout?

[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.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

@Hornviper - what could be the good reason for not setting out correctly and if you don’t care why ask for advice?
Not sure what your thread is trying to clarify!

 

[Dumbo]

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.

The reason I say this is I know some guys that have worked in Germany and they reckon they are definitely some of the best tilers in the world .

 

[Hornviper]

The reason I say this is I know some guys that have worked in Germany and they reckon they are definitely some of the best tilers in the world .

Different strokes for different folks. There's nothing wrong with that. Personally I think that a lot of thought and attention to detail go into what you guys do and I do respect that. So my hat's off to all of you.

 

[Hornviper]

@Hornviper - what could be the good reason for not setting out correctly and if you don’t care why ask for advice?
Not sure what your thread is trying to clarify!

No need for exclamation marks and angry remarks, John. I am not here to argue with people. As I said, I am still learning. I like to take my time and come up with at least a decent layout. A few local pros have told me that centering my work and not starting with a full tile off a wall that's crooked (or a corner) is a bad idea. More cuts and work. I guess I just want to know what exactly I am doing wrong. I didn't mean to get on your wick.

 

[Dumbo]

Going of a wall is usually a bad idea as they are not normally straight ,Corners are never usually square but other than that there is more to setting out than finding the centre of a room .

 

[Hornviper]

Going of a wall is usually a bad idea as they are not normally straight ,Corners are never usually square but other than that there is more to setting out than finding the centre of a room .

I never said that finding the center of the room is the be all and end all of tiling. There's more to it, I agree wholeheartedly. There are a lot of old masonry walls in our houses (especially in mine as it was built in 1924) which are anything but straight, so you get the picture.
Symmetry is a great thing if it's visible. I've got a nasty V-shaped corner gap (crooked corners) in one of my bathrooms. I might be able to take a pic or two tomorrow.

Again, my apologies. I didn't mean to annoy you. Peace.

 

[Spare Tool]

A laser or chalk line down the centre of your room squared off to the longest sighting wall is always a good place to start though, then see how things pan out from there...

 

[Hornviper]

A laser or chalk line down the centre of your room squared off to the longest sighting wall is always a good place to start though, then see how things pan out from there...

That's what I normally aim to do. Thank you for your time and help, and I hope this thread hasn't upset all of you. I will not be posting any other threads, so everything should be okay.

Thank you and good night from me. God bless.

 

[Italy]

The reason I say this is I know some guys that have worked in Germany and they reckon they are definitely some of the best tilers in the world .

to learn something else, then I must also register in a German forum.....

 

[Andy Allen]

Always try and centre the main focal point, and square off a wall that follows your eye line.
This multi room job was all centred off the hallway, as this was the main focal point as soon as you opened the front door.