Tiling without batten

[James aldridge]

Hello all just quick question, gunna be tiling a bathroom soon, in brickbond pattern, wanted to ask if i could start this without a battens, if so how do i do this ? Many thanks

 

[macten]

Just cut your bottom row in after setting out and away you go

 

[James aldridge]

Just cut your bottom row in after setting out and away you go

Just cut your bottom row in after setting out and away you go

Sorry to be a pain, but would you mind giving a step by step on that,

 

[Qwerty]

Evening James. I have moved this thread from the Welcome forum into the Tiling Forum.

Please do post again in the Welcome forum and introduce yourself and abilities a bit more.

Cutting bottom row in after setting out basically describes finding out what your layout will be, then tile first row of wall tiles from floor, but measuring and cutting so the tops of all of the tiles are 100% level with each other. This then allows you to tile from this level thus eliminating the need for battens.

 

[Rookery]

I always use the 'batten' provided by the customer - I tile the floor first then cut in the bottom row once I've set out.

 

[Flintstone]

I never Batton just cut neatly your first row then tile from that

 

[GoneGuy]

Hello James and welcome to the forum,
There are a few options as described above.
It all depends on your ability and confidence.
Is there a reason why you don’t want to use battens

 

[James aldridge]

Evening James. I have moved this thread from the Welcome forum into the Tiling Forum.

Please do post again in the Welcome forum and introduce yourself and abilities a bit more.

Cutting bottom row in after setting out basically describes finding out what your layout will be, then tile first tow of wall tiles from floor, but measuring and cutting so the tops of all of the tiles are 100% level with each other. This then allows you to tile from this level thus eliminating the need for battens.

Ok well the only issue is that i have a shower tray installed, so as long as this is level, could i get a straight line right roubd the room from this? As long as the vertical/horizontal cuts work with setting out, and work down from this line to the floor??? Wud this work, down quite underatand how to cut in first row tiles, what height etc??

 

[Qwerty]

That height of first row is your choice depending on the planned layout and obstacles in the room. From what you are describing it sounds like you are wanting to lay a full tile first. Am I correct?

 

[James aldridge]

That height of first row is your choice depending on the planned layout and obstacles in the room. From what you are describing it sounds like you are wanting to lay a full tile first. Am I correct?

I would like a nice full tile to run round the bottom of the shower tray as long as level, and for that level ti run right round all the other walls as long as it works, but i dont want to use a batten , and just wondered how i could get down to the floor then work up, would a good grip adhesive help? There only 4x12 tiles, not heavy,

 

[Qwerty]

That's the issue..... you are hoping everything including the floor and tray are bang on level which they most probably won't be. Work out a few different layouts and see what works best as the first tile. More often than not a half to 3/4 tile works best.
Just use a polymer modified cement adhesive with good initial grab.

Is this your first tiling venture?

 

[James aldridge]

That's the issue..... you are hoping everything including the floor and tray are bang on level which they most probably won't be. Work out a few different layouts and see what works best as the first tile. More often than not a half to 3/4 tile works best.
Just use a polymer modified cement adhesive with good initial grab.

Is this your first tiling venture?

No not my 1st tiling venture , i am confident in my tiling, but is my side job, and has been a little since i did a big tiling job, both shower walls tiled wall to ceiling and the other 2 just half way up.. and rile the floor. well im certainly hoping they fit the shower tray level, ok a good grip adhesive sounds good..

 

[Andy Allen]

Your side job...??

 

[James aldridge]

Your side job...??

Something i enjoy doing.

 

[WetSaw]

Your side job...??

Maybe he's a Fireman!

 

[Gus]

Do the floor first. If you are going to start the wall with full tile, make sure the floor is 100% level. If you are going to start with a cut, no problem if the floor is out of level. Try to use a laser all the way around the bathroom, cut the tiles and good luck !!

 

[Unused Account 1]

Use a batten mate if first job,cut in at end ,sometimes the amount of time it takes to level first course,easier to batten away u go

 

[Dave Elliott]

Hi James,
To be honest mate, however you want you tiles to fall I don’t understand why you’re so adverse to using batons.
I have a laser level and a good selection of 3”x 2” CLS in various lengths. It takes me about 15mins to baton out a bathroom and at the end of it you have the security and peace of mind that everything is in the right place and there’s gonna be no slippage.
My advice would be to stick with the batons and play it Safe mate. Cheers Dave

 

[MarshallTile]

You could purchase a tile tracker kit if you don't want to fix batterns to the wall. I have various lengths easy to set up and no chance of hitting a pipe or wire in the wall.

 

[MarshallTile]

Suretile sell them.

 

[df1777]

I've never used a batten, takes too long. I just cut one tile into as many slithers as I can and use them winner winner chicken dinner

 

[Bond]

Batten is much easier, removes a lot of potential heartache. If going without, find lowest point in floor, set your first tile, mark wall around levelling from this, measure and cut from this line, checking frequently for level and alignment.

 

[Handyeire]

Batten is much easier, removes a lot of potential heartache. If going without, find lowest point in floor, set your first tile, mark wall around levelling from this, measure and cut from this line, checking frequently for level and alignment.

agree! Make sure its a plained batten thou

 

[df1777]

Why does he need a batten with only 4x12 tiles? They won't slip and I'd be using ready mixed. Draw a line with a level half way up the wall if you want, spread it and off you go, just make sure you ain't got any small cuts. I should have a PhD

.... throw the batten out the window, watch the next door neighbours cat though