floor tile patterns

[NickH]

Hi guys, ive got a kitchen floor to lay soon and the customer has chosen porcelain tiles which come as a mix of four sizes. The largest are 480 x 480, then 480 x 320, then 320 x 320, then160 x 160. These are the nominal sizes ignoring joints. Anyways i thought that there would be a set pattern for these tiles based on the number of each size, roughly equal amounts of each, but the tile shop he got them from says they should be laid in a "random" pattern. So the questions are, do you think a random pattern is going to work and if so any ideas on getting started/setting out/working out a random pattern etc.
Any tips would be very helpful, thanks

Nick

ps the main floor is about 6m x 2.5m, then a corridor of to one side is around 1m x 2m

 

[Varley]

Check this site out mate

Daltile - Tile Patterns

 

[grumpygrouter]

I thought tiles when supplied like that always had some sort of base pattern to them. You would have great fun trying to set out those "randomly".

Good luck

Grumpy

 

[GazTech]

Villagio Tile This one by far does it for me Nick have a look....these patterns all repeat ,so pick more or less sizes and go for it ....Gaz

 

[DHTiling]

It should have a pattern sheet...they are usually sold in quantities to suit a pattern so if you deter from it you could run short of some of the sizes.....i think i have a pattern for that format of tiles if i have i will pm it to you.......dave....

 

[NickH]

Thanks for that guys, my gut feeling was that trying to lay a truly random pattern would descend into chaos and i will run out of certain tiles. The customer spoke to the supplier and came back with "random". I think i'll try talk to them myself.
Cheers again

 

[McP77]

I've done one in random before, sizes were something like 60x40, 40x40, 40x20, 20x20. Didn't have any problems doing it randomly, you just have to think a couple of tiles ahead.

 

[grumpygrouter]

Villagio Tile This one by far does it for me Nick have a look....these patterns all repeat ,so pick more or less sizes and go for it ....Gaz

ironic that you posted this Gaz, I'm off to Scottsdale at beginning of October. I might call in and have a look, they look like a serious tile business.

Grumpy

 

[NickH]

Well I laid the tiles today and used a "hopscotch" pattern rather than random and it looks pukka. I reckon the problem with truly random is that when its all finished and you stand back you can sometimes see "unrandom" areas with too many of the same size , i've seen it before with coloured wall tiles. Anyway the floor looks great, a nice even appearance.

 

[GazTech]

ironic that you posted this Gaz, I'm off to Scottsdale at beginning of October. I might call in and have a look, they look like a serious tile business.

Grumpy

Aye Grouty they do indeed,good website and very helpful.Let me know what you think.

 

[TheWrightTiler]

Hi all, checked out the site and downloaded all the available patterns for all to take as they wish, they are based on 100 sqft so divide or multiply as you require

for all newbies here are 2 word docs that i was sent to roughly work out how many tiles of a different size you need for meterage, again divide or multiply as required

hope this helps

andy

 

[Mike]

One thing to bear in mind is that the number of tiles of each size you'll need will depend on the pattern you use so its important to sort our pattern choice before the tiles get to site as it would be a shame to have to order more and end up with a different shade or calibration to the origial tiles. When I've been asked for patterns to lay in the past I've often found it best to contact the tile manufacturer who should have patterns for the range and will also be able to tell you what percentage of each size you'll need.