Sunday, December 11, 2011

This TravertineTile Photo Says A Lot



Every day I see different tile materials, colors, textures, grouts and various colors. I see and install tile indoors mostly and some outdoors on patios, entries, and walkways. I see different ways of attaching tile as well as removing it which is often much harder than an install.



There are some things that remain constant however, and this photo above (click to enlarge) is a good example. I'll explain.



From the beginning, you can see that the back window shower wall has cut tiles at the outside edges. The installer here found the center of the tub and drew a vertical line. He then installed two horizontal rows of tile from the center working out to the sides. You will make cuts at the outside wall. Standard tubs are 5 foot in length and we figure 3 feet for each opposing wall.



So if you are figuring tile for your new shower just take 5 feet which is a standard measure for the tub length, then 3 feet for each end wall and you have 6 feet which adds up to 11 feet. Then all you need is the height. Multiply the height times 11 feet and that is a very close estimate as to how much tile will be needed for a standard shower.



Then, from the center again he cut a tile in a diagonal working the third row towards the corresponding wall. He then proceeded with the design element which is a simple diagonal of a smaller 4x4 Travertine Tile 4 tiles high as you can see.



This design element did not fit exactly within the grout lines although they were generous at about 1/2 inch of Sanded Grout but it still looks OK. This shower was enhanced with the inclusion of a similar material by just turning it on a 45 degree cut.



The basics are here. Find the center of the tub and work out. At the end walls, you also want to make your cuts at the corners. There is flexibility in any project, but this is basic stuff FYI.

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