The Low Budget DIY Bathroom Refurb

[DoubleSix]

Back at it....

Need some more assistance with tile layout if possible guys.

Basically tiles fit exactly 5 along at bath height with a gap at each end that I can close if I butt up against the tiles on walls at each end - sorted I thought.

BUT, the walls widen as they rise adding another 2cm so if I start like this I'll encounter problems.

Any clever ideas to resolve?

[DoubleSix]

Sure, but then I have uneven cuts at each end... perhaps unavoidable in this case...

Edited by DoubleSix on Thursday 17th March 12:23

[DoubleSix]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Yes, but it just pushes the problem up to the next course.

[DoubleSix]

BigTom85 said:

Yes the end tiles will get longer as the wall gets wider, but this will be much less obvious that if the joints were very close to the wall.

Short of replacing the walls to be nice and square then you don't really have another option do you?

Agreed. I think your 1/4 off centre suggestion is the way to go if I want to retain half bond, which I do.

Thanks!

[DoubleSix]

Finally, 2mm or 3mm spacers with these chunky tiles?

[DoubleSix]

Gingerbread Man said:

You should 'fold' the tiles around the corners. But you can loose and win some of a tile in a corner to help the run of tiles to the next corner/ end. A big part of tiling is the setting out.

Would I tile straight of a bath for example...no. Treat nothing as 100% level. Most would run a wooden battern around the wall maybe 90% of a tile above the bath. Tile from the battern up, but pay attention to what you'll leave cut into the ceiling. You don't want it too thin. Then cut into the bath once you have tiled the rest to allow for any level inconsistencies.

Your tiles look slightly bigger, but metro tiles in the brick bond suit a thin grout joint.

Thx for your input, was wondering about the folding and had assumed it was required.

Spent a good bit of yesterday leveling the bath and am taking a level to every tile!

Size of these tile may not convey well they are 40 x 15 cms so pretty big so think I'll go 3mm

[DoubleSix]

bomma220 said:

I'd say 3mm to give you a bit of leeway with the cuts.

Looking good DoubleSix, a credit to your workmanship & perseverance sir!

Too kind Bomma! Hoping to do a proper update later as have tackled a few other bits.

[DoubleSix]

Ok just a little update on the bits that have kept me busy. I've had to organise my 3 year olds Birthday party and we have a 8 week old baby too so it's just a case of fitting it in around life...

Floor finished and grouted (bal smoke), grip strip fitted - pretty pleased with the transition.



Architrave fitted, filled, painted



Towel rail fitted and made good. Glad I went the extra mile and chased the pipes now.



Carried the floor tile up onto the bath area



And today got the tiles on the largest wall. Feels like it's coming together, time for a well earned pint!

[DoubleSix]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Thanks TN, still got that tricky back wall to tile around window and waste pipe. Leaving wall behind taps until I can get a quote for a shower. Then its just knock up a bath panel, refit sanitary wear, source some shelfs and mirror etc

Thankfully we have an en suite on the next floor up that we're trooping up to, Mrs is well chuffed I'm doing this with a baby who needs baths every night... Oh well!

Edited by DoubleSix on Thursday 17th March 18:12

[DoubleSix]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Likewise, I'm a traditionalist.

[DoubleSix]

BigTom85 said:

DoubleSix said:

Likewise, I'm a traditionalist.

Of course, such as sticking with ceramic wood lol

A fair point, well made!

As an aside I discovered yesterday that they are in fact porcelain which explains why my grinder cried when I attempted to make a cut.

[DoubleSix]

Was probably going to screw most of it and have a removable panel at one end attached by little magnet catches, velcro not a bad shout though...

http://m.screwfix.com/p/magnetic-cabinet-catches-w...

[DoubleSix]

Quick question for the pros...

Before I tile round this corner should I be pushing grout into this gap at the end if the tiles or leaving free for expansion?

Similarly, do I butt the incoming tiles completely flush to the surface of the existing tiles or leave a gap to receive grout/silicone?

Thanks!

[DoubleSix]

Thanks mate!

[DoubleSix]

Yeah, I agree and can see the sense in that. However I'm no chippy and all the angles are off a little..,

It's like this for now whilst I get the major stuff done and will revisit at some point.

[DoubleSix]

Mini-update: grouting and sealing finished today. (Whoever recommended the silicone finishing tool; massive +1 to that!! Great product.)

[DoubleSix]

All that jazz said:

The random placement of the lighter coloured tiles is one for the "annoys me beyond reason" thread. Why not place them in a pattern?

In the 1st pic it's clear that the 2 corner tile pieces on the 3rd row from the bottom are not from the same tile as one piece is much lighter than the other.

Edited by All that jazz on Friday 25th March 23:24

Random is exactly as it should be.

"Make a pattern"... No. Just no. You work randomly from multiple boxes to avoid the human tendency toward symmetry.

[DoubleSix]

Thanks for the kind words chaps!

Re: bath panel

I have in my mind that I will fabricate something using sheet wood then clad with tongue and groove.

Bomma et al, any thoughts on this solution? What wood would you use? Would you run a strip along the bottom to finish? Would you do something else?

[DoubleSix]

Much obliged sir!

[DoubleSix]

Need some input here if you please guys.

Just running a bead of smoke silicone around where the skirt tiles meet the floor. But for the life of me I can't decide whether the top edge of the skirt tile should receive a smoke or white sealant??