how do i get accurate spaces between 47x47mm mosaics on 300x300mm sheets?

[plumbersmate]

hi, folks, really need some help here otherwise i'm going to have to walk away from this job.

the customer wants me to lay 47 x47 mm mosaics, on 300 x 300mm sheets on their floor and walls. they want accurate spaces between each individual tile, and will not be happy with any deviance from that. the tiles are not uniformally set on the backing sheets, with some tiles at an angle.

the customer has already laid them out onto a flat floor and sees no reason why they wont look the same on the bathroom floor (the floor is covered in backer board, but still has a curve in places. it's an old cottage with a floor that slopes and walls that are not straight, or even, except for the ones that the plumber has boarded.

i have laid the same tiles out, but when i use 2mm spacers some will fit between the tiles on the sheet - and others wont, resulting in the tile 'lifting' up. this would mean that i either

a) remove each 47x47 tile and reset correctly.

b) use spacers and bits of card, resulting in different size spaces - and not what the customer wants.

or

c) back away from the job.

i have previously tiled using the smaller mosaics, and been unable to get accurate spaces. but that customer loved the effect!

so please, any offers of guidance would be much appreciated. :huh2:

 

[swts]

The customer is always right? But, i see your dilema. Firstly i'd explaing that the mosaic is on a sheet for a few reasons, one being to keep the cubes in an area say 300x300. As with all floor tiling and wall tiling working in meter squares, you'd stick to your lines and adjust the tiles within these lines. Mosaic on the other hand there is various ways that you can achieve what they want without too much hassle. The method i use mostly and others probably use, is to set the mosaic sheet into the adhesive and push the cubes using a clean trowel {the longest edge] that way you dont have to remove them and the joints should be reasonably even. Once grouted unless they get out a measuring and check they shouldnt really notice.

 

[brundlefly]

I have just done a pool with same problem, curves bumps & lumps
All these open and close joints naturally, which I explained to the customer

also the mozzies were not straight on the mesh to start with, faily common
I did go over everything and cut the mesh to straighten up the most obvious

You can only work with the materials you have, it’s not your fault they have
Been made this way, the customer cant seriously expect you strip them down and lay singles….ouch

 

[plumbersmate]

thanks for your advice, but i'm not sure that this isn't a customer who would 'get out the tape measure'! :huh2:

 

[bocean02]

I would be straight with the customer and tell them that it's never going to be perfect but you will certainly get the best job done possible. Suggest that if they want the mosaics to be exactly perfect, they are going to probably have to spend a lot more pennies on them. You get what you pay for. I wouldn't seperate all the tiles, it could potetially be worse and will take so much longer to finish.

I found a backing sheet made of plastic making a grid effect to place behind mosaics to get the best finish in a shop in Leeds. I haven't seen it anywhere else although you could probably find some on the internet if you think it may help.

Good luck

 

[plumbersmate]

I have just done a pool with same problem, curves bumps & lumps
All these open and close joints naturally, which I explained to the customer

also the mozzies were not straight on the mesh to start with, faily common
I did go over everything and cut the mesh to straighten up the most obvious

You can only work with the materials you have, it’s not your fault they have
Been made this way, the customer cant seriously expect you strip them down and lay singles….ouch

thanks bundlefly, unfortunately i think they do. :icon9:

 

[David - Tradetiler]

First of all, there are some kinds of customers to keep away from anyway. The ones who are precision engineers etc. they will never be happy.

Once you get the sheets on the wall/floor the backing sheet softens a bit so you can tweak them. you can split through with a knife if you need to move more.

once you have a few sheets on you can stand back and eye them up

I did it on this job:

David Neave

 

[plumbersmate]

nice work, david n. i think i'll just walk away, i can't be a***d to spend that much time on my knees. :surrender:

 

[Dirrty]

nice work, david n. i think i'll just walk away, i can't be a***d to spend that much time on my knees. :surrender:

Yep........run away.........run far far away :iagree: lol

 

[aejrd]

hi, folks, really need some help here otherwise i'm going to have to walk away from this job.

the customer wants me to lay 47 x47 mm mosaics, on 300 x 300mm sheets on their floor and walls. they want accurate spaces between each individual tile, and will not be happy with any deviance from that. the tiles are not uniformally set on the backing sheets, with some tiles at an angle.

the customer has already laid them out onto a flat floor and sees no reason why they wont look the same on the bathroom floor (the floor is covered in backer board, but still has a curve in places. it's an old cottage with a floor that slopes and walls that are not straight, or even, except for the ones that the plumber has boarded.

i have laid the same tiles out, but when i use 2mm spacers some will fit between the tiles on the sheet - and others wont, resulting in the tile 'lifting' up. this would mean that i either

a) remove each 47x47 tile and reset correctly.

b) use spacers and bits of card, resulting in different size spaces - and not what the customer wants.

or

c) back away from the job.

i have previously tiled using the smaller mosaics, and been unable to get accurate spaces. but that customer loved the effect!

so please, any offers of guidance would be much appreciated. :huh2:

walk away ....please just walk away

 

[brundlefly]

Ive had a customer just like that

I ended up getting them totally involved, he put a chair outside the bathroom and sat their watching, every couple of sheets I put on , I had him check he was satisfied

After 6 hours he gave up, and understood where I was coming from

So if your still going to have a go get them totally involved while your there doing the job, not have them wait till you have finished for the day
then go over everything and leave comments in the morning, every couple of sheets have them check it to see if its acceptable to them....
....or start the van and junior bird man outa there



the only way you ever get a even spaced joint is to make the sheets your self
i had an engineering company make up some grids for me to space the mozzies

 

[redrex]

EEEEEEK!!!! Dragons Den for this one :yes:

 

[brundlefly]

pah...i had a whole world domination thing going on with the idea but never got it going