ceramic tile installation

Proper layout, although extremely important,  is frequently the most overlooked step in the installation process. Sad to say, many so-called installers as well as do-it-yourselfers simply wing-it when it comes to setting tile. As a result, they frequently find themselves 'out of square' with extremely irregular grout lines. The following steps are designed as a guide to assist you through this all important process.

• First, determine the 'Number' that will be the standard throughout the entire job. This is simply the sum of an individual tile plus a grout joint. This can be done by laying 4 pieces in a grid, just as you would when installing them. Now measure the distance from the back edge of the front piece to the back edge of the second one. This distance is the sum of one full square and the grout joint. For example, lets say the measurement is 17 3/8. To determine the 'Number' you will need to convert 3/8 into a decimal number. Simply take 3 and divide by 8 and you get .3750. That means your 'Number' throughout this job will always be 17.3750.
• Next, determine a starting point. Let's say we are installing a floor in a room that is exactly 20 by 20 square. You could start by laying 2 pieces (use same size grout joint when determining number) at the baseboard of the farthest end of the wall and score a pencil line at the tile edge. Remove the pieces and measure distance from baseboard to line. Go to other end and mark a pencil line at the same distance. Now chalk a line from mark to mark. To find out the size of the cut at the opposite wall, measure the distance from the wall to the chalk line, then divide by your 'Number' 17.3750. In this example, the answer is 11.8345. This translates into 11 full squares and 84% of a full piece or a cut of just over 14 inches. This would constitute a great starting point. What you could now do is measure the same distance at the perpendicular wall and chalk  your line.
• The very next step is the most important of the entire layout process. You will need to check for 'Square'. This is done by using the 3-4-5 method. Measure 3ft. from the chalk line intersection down one of the lines and make a pencil mark through the line approximately 1/2 inch past on both sides. Next, measure 4ft. from the same intersection as before, down the other line and make a similar pencil mark. The distance diagonally from mark to mark should be 5ft. If not, adjust either line and re-chalk until it measures 5ft. You can incrementally increase 3-4-5 to 6-8-10, 12-16-20, etc. The larger the increment, the more accurate your square will be. Once you find 'Square', you can now start setting.

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