I just have to ask if any tiling expert has an opinion on this question:
Where do you start tiling a wall? At the bottom, in the middle, or maybe at the top?!??!
The reason I ask is that I have tiled several bathrooms over the years and have always started at the bottom and worked my way up unless there is a "natural" line (stove, niche, etc.) to start from. But then my neighbor said that when he had hired tradesmen to fully tile his basement, bathroom, etc., the tiling company always started in the middle of the wall and then worked both up and down from the first row of tiles.
Are there advantages to doing it the way the tiling company does? Is it "wrong" to do it the way I have always done, starting at the bottom in one corner and working upwards?
Can anyone shed some light on this?
Erber
Where do you start tiling a wall? At the bottom, in the middle, or maybe at the top?!??!
The reason I ask is that I have tiled several bathrooms over the years and have always started at the bottom and worked my way up unless there is a "natural" line (stove, niche, etc.) to start from. But then my neighbor said that when he had hired tradesmen to fully tile his basement, bathroom, etc., the tiling company always started in the middle of the wall and then worked both up and down from the first row of tiles.
Are there advantages to doing it the way the tiling company does? Is it "wrong" to do it the way I have always done, starting at the bottom in one corner and working upwards?
Can anyone shed some light on this?
ErberI may not be a tile professional, but I've read up a bit for my own house projects. You start a bit up on the wall by laying out a guideboard, resting on blocks so that it is exactly level. It's easy to level when you're not doing it right at the floor, and - above all - it becomes easier when building downward to adjust the tiles to any slopes or unevenness in the floor. If you start along the floor line, it can be tricky if it's not exactly level.
I'm still curious about what the professionals have to say on the matter?
I'm still curious about what the professionals have to say on the matter?
Now, I'm not a pro, but it is true that you usually start by tiling a horizontal line a bit up on the wall, often like the second row from the bottom (just because the floor is not level). HOW far up this is should, of course, be measured to see what looks best; you don't want to add a small row of 2 cm at the top or bottom of the wall if it can be avoided.
hmm.....what you're saying sounds very reasonable. but these "kakelnissar" started in the middle of the wall..., but it's like so many other things, people do things in different ways. nothing is really more wrong or right.
but definitely, as you write, not starting with the row absolutely at the bottom sounds reasonable.
but definitely, as you write, not starting with the row absolutely at the bottom sounds reasonable.
I have been advised by a tile professional to start in the middle of the wall.
The reason is that any mistakes added with each row, from tile spacers or string, only have half as many rows to accumulate. I followed the advice but as an enthusiastic amateur, I found it not entirely simple to tile downwards from the middle row. Even with good adhesive, I found that the tiles tended to slide down a few tenths of a millimeter after pressing them. If you go from bottom to top, you have gravity on your side, so I tend to agree with those who think it's best to start with the second to last row at the bottom.
Then there is the issue of how to distribute the rows to make it look good. I tried to get the middle row in the center of the wall, meaning the top and bottom rows are cut about equally. Even laterally, I think it looks best if you try to center the rows so that you cut equally on the right and left edge rows.
I agree that a self-leveling laser is invaluable when tiling!!
The reason is that any mistakes added with each row, from tile spacers or string, only have half as many rows to accumulate. I followed the advice but as an enthusiastic amateur, I found it not entirely simple to tile downwards from the middle row. Even with good adhesive, I found that the tiles tended to slide down a few tenths of a millimeter after pressing them. If you go from bottom to top, you have gravity on your side, so I tend to agree with those who think it's best to start with the second to last row at the bottom.
Then there is the issue of how to distribute the rows to make it look good. I tried to get the middle row in the center of the wall, meaning the top and bottom rows are cut about equally. Even laterally, I think it looks best if you try to center the rows so that you cut equally on the right and left edge rows.
I agree that a self-leveling laser is invaluable when tiling!!
DIYers should start upwards from the second row of tiles with a support board and new, clean string, and it will turn out well. Professionals, however, start from the middle upwards and downwards freehand. No strings or crosses, just divide the walls into a grid pattern and do one at a time.
When using tiles in the 30x60 format, I start with the bottom tile and work my way up because it's difficult to get them to hang. For a 20x20 tile, for example, I start about 100 cm up and place the left part first, then the right, then the lower left and lower right. By doing this, you can spread adhesive on an entire section and add tiles without losing adhesive from the comb on the already placed tiles. You also get to move around a bit more or at least kneel for shorter periods (at least it feels like it).
had a nice tile setter. to get the tile level, he used Masonite strips that he nailed through the waterproofing :wow: