Flooring Tile - Center Line - Important?
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01-08-01, 06:25 PM
I just read that John Bridges disagrees with the center line that I have been reading about in most of my tile books. I am now - tomorrow morning going to start my kitchen countertops. I was planning to do a center line from the sink. Is this theory wrong?
Also, I just finished my second floor and part of my upper stairway. I was planning to use my stair way center as the guide for the rest of my house. Is this wrong? That is what my old tilers did and it looks good. Any answers would be appreciated.
Also, I just finished my second floor and part of my upper stairway. I was planning to use my stair way center as the guide for the rest of my house. Is this wrong? That is what my old tilers did and it looks good. Any answers would be appreciated.
01-10-01, 06:42 AM
Hi lacarbs,
I don't think John meant to say that the center line is not important, just don't start laying tile in the center. I'll explain: If you are in a bathroom that is 3 feet wide and 8 feet long and started laying tile in the center how would you get out without disturbing the tile you already set. You may think you and the thinset and the water bucket and all the tools will fit in an area 1 1/2 feet wide and it will but you better have double jointed hips so you can turn around to access it all. :)
What you should do in a case like that is layout the entire area in a grid (the exact space that x number of tiles take up including a grout joint) and start at the far wall and work your way out the door. Also don't forget there are two ways to split a room with tile you can make the center line fall in the middle of a grout joint or you can make it fall in the center of a tile, whichever gives you the biggest cuts on the walls is how you should layout.
Regards and Good Luck,
Rich Gately (Tileman1)
http://www.gatelytilecompany.homestead.com
I don't think John meant to say that the center line is not important, just don't start laying tile in the center. I'll explain: If you are in a bathroom that is 3 feet wide and 8 feet long and started laying tile in the center how would you get out without disturbing the tile you already set. You may think you and the thinset and the water bucket and all the tools will fit in an area 1 1/2 feet wide and it will but you better have double jointed hips so you can turn around to access it all. :)
What you should do in a case like that is layout the entire area in a grid (the exact space that x number of tiles take up including a grout joint) and start at the far wall and work your way out the door. Also don't forget there are two ways to split a room with tile you can make the center line fall in the middle of a grout joint or you can make it fall in the center of a tile, whichever gives you the biggest cuts on the walls is how you should layout.
Regards and Good Luck,
Rich Gately (Tileman1)
http://www.gatelytilecompany.homestead.com
John Bridge
01-10-01, 07:58 PM
Where I take exception to the center line thing is on floors, not on countertops. How do you find the center of the average kitchen, with cabinets, etc. cutting into the room? I mean, if floors were geometric squares and rectangles, that would be different.
What I stated essentially is that, more than the center of the room, it is important to end up with the best looking cuts possible at the walls. You might start in the center and end up with 1 in. cuts along a wall. Do you think that would look professional?
If you'll leaf through the book again, you'll find that I consider sinks, windows etc. as the starting point for counter and backsplash layout.
What I stated essentially is that, more than the center of the room, it is important to end up with the best looking cuts possible at the walls. You might start in the center and end up with 1 in. cuts along a wall. Do you think that would look professional?
If you'll leaf through the book again, you'll find that I consider sinks, windows etc. as the starting point for counter and backsplash layout.