When do you do your cuts?

[ScottG13]

I recently tiled my utility room (pics to follow, one day). When floor was prepd I did the layed all my whole tiles, then on day 2 went back in and did all my cuts. Not 100% where I read this but is that normal procedure, or possibly just for amatures due to setting time of the addy?

 

[Daz]

It's really just a judgement call IMO.

Some rooms are small and it makes sense to dry lay, mark the cuts and stick in one go. Some rooms are straight forward cuts that can be made as you go. Some areas are easier to fire down the field tiles and then mark and fix cuts later, it all depends on circumstance.

The main thing is the end result .

 

[paulyoung666]

The main thing is the end result .

agreed

 

[albyshellshear]

I agree with the captain, depends on the room size and shape if there is going to be a lot of awkward cuts i lay the full tiles do the cuts later, but if staight forward just a few cuts i would cut as i go

 

[DHTiling]

99% of the time i fix and cut as i go.... just depends on the design/layout etc.

 

[diamondtiling]

I have heard this old chesnut so many times, I have yet to see someone do it faster, cut as you go.......

 

[doug boardley]

smallish rooms I'll dry lay everything first and then stick down, I very rarely stick field tiles down and then do cuts later, I always do the cuts as I come to them

 

[White Room]

On a big floor will lay then cut but smaller floors will cut as I go, small toilet floors dry lay then fix.

 

[mikethetile]

cut as i go

 

[Aston]

i prefer to cut and fix as i go...i would also rather work out my cuts 1st on large areas and real them off so there all done and also ready to fix as i go, rather than doing the field tiles on one day and then doing the cuts the next or when the addy has dried sufficiently..

dom is right about this time issue thing..tiling is a finsihing trade so therefore the quality of your finish is the most important issue. its so much more important to spend that little bit extra time on measuring accurately and precise cutting because thats what people will notice and thats what builds you reputation and the money you can jusifyable charge imo..

ed...

 

[Alan.P]

I do the cuts as I go, 99% of the time at least, in my view, it's easier to have the adhesive spread as you go, uniform, than it is to butter the tiles if you can't get your trowel in, far better imho.

 

[merlecollins]

Smaller rooms I always do them as I go so I can finish in one day, i.e. anything around 10m2.

Anything more than that and it is really down to what mood I'm in, as daft as that sounds:lol:If I'm not in the mood, I'll fix all the full tiles, so psychologically it looks like I've done loads:lol: other days I might cut as I go, there isn't really a right or wrong way as long as the finished job is spot on

 

[Tomtiler]

i tend to do cuts as i go instead of going back to it

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Just for amateurs IMHO - and it does depend on the adhesive!
A professional would set out a floor to be able to lay all the tiles in one proceedure and have the floor grouted within the time guidlines of the adhesive manufacturers. It would not be cost effective for the tiling contractor or the customer if the work took longer than the recommended adhesive drying/grouting times.
However if you are asking in terms of a DIY job involving immense enthuisiam then I would concur that the overriding factor being that of the enjoyment and quality of the job and the satisfaction of knowing that you have completed a first class job - no matter how long it took!.

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

cut as i go