What are the arrows on the back of porcelain tiles for

[jonnyc]

Italian Ceramic Tiles - Italian Tiles - Ceramic Tiles of Italy - ItalyTile.com

See number 4.

Thanks for that.much appreciated
makes me feel much better.

 

[Houston]

when arrows are on the backs of tiles, i always run them the same way. If tiles are fixed brick bond method will always bond by a third, it just seems to help with some of the descrepancies and sometimes will give a bigger joint but that will depend on tile and client.

 

[tilerbarry]

You should be using a 5mm joint on these size tiles really, and 2 part flexible adhesive like Keraquick & Latexplus because of the size of the tiles. Also movement joints every 7 metres. As I understand it the arrow is a manufacturing detail not a fixer detail.

 

[jonnyc]

well thanks for all the info but it seems that there is certainly divided opinion on the arrows on back of tiles and personally i am staggered that this question has not come up many times before.
i brought this up myself some time ago as john reminded me and i am still not clear.
ajax had a link that says that the arrow should not influence tile fixing and that is comforting when i have not followed it this time, but whilst taking in what that link says i can still see the point of view of gary and a few other friends i know ,in that if the tiles are supposed to go in to the kiln with arrow in one direction there is a good chance that if bowing occurs then it may follow the same pattern.
by elimination thought process , if you follow the tiling with the arrow you have a more reasonable chance that the bowed corners / middle humps marry up.
that said i am assured from followers of this cult that are always exceptions that do not always relate to cost of tile purchased .
So way i see it i will go back to following arrows as i have always done as i have never had a problem like this when doing so, and just take the percentage chance of a gambler

 

[Fliselege]

Asked the manager in my supplier today this question after seeing it posted. His reply was this, so don't shoot the messenger. When tiles are made, say for example 30 x 30, they are made 30 x 90 then cut twice to give 3 30 x 30. The middle cuts go to the cheap retailers as they have 2 good edges, and the 2 outside cuts go to proffesional retailers as they have 3 good edges. The arrows should be followed as the cuts may not be perfect if you mis match the direction. Might be the answer, might be a load of poppy ****, either way, I follow the arrows anyway and always have. Having said that, have worked with many tiles with 4 good edges, so back to the drawing board....

 

[jonnyc]

ok i get that and think i agree .
but i do not have issues with tile size,only bowing, but appreciate you taking time to ask.
its quite an interesting issue.
the main reason i did not follow the arrow was that the box of infinitum instruction did not mention arrows and because the tiles had a vague directional movement to replicate marble which repeated every 7 tiles i thought by turning the tile randomly i could effect a floor with 28 different permutations rather than 7 and thereby look totally random.
sometimes thinking about something can cause more problems than necessary eh?

 

[Delta Stark]

From what I know, which isn't much, arrows on the back of a tile class the tile as 'handed' and they should be fitted with all the arrows pointing the same way...that's all I know.
As for lipping, most tiles measuring between 50cm and above at any point are subject to 'bowing' so lipping is almost unavoidable.

 

[widler]

Christ,I've fit loads of porca floors and got half way through and noticed the arrow,then thought,sheet,next one I'll follow the arrow,nope always forget to look

 

[radim]

this is pic of pack of porcelanosa tiles.

sorry for upside down pic, don't know how to rotate.