How to Layout a Staggered Tile Floor
Tile floors are normally laid in a grid pattern, lined up alongside each other so the tiles all meet at the corners, like a checker board. But that's not the only way to do it. You can also "stagger" the tiles, so the end of one tile butts to the middle of the next, like bricks on an old building. This gives the floor a less rigid look, and is a good solution for rooms that are badly out of square, since a square-grid pattern will call attention to that. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Chalk snapline
- Tiles
- Spacers
- Thinset mortar
- Notched trowel
- Tile cutter
- Grout
- Grout float
- Sponge
Instructions
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1
Lay two intersecting lines with your chalk snapline over the whole floor, dividing it into four squares that meet in the middle.
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2
Snap a third line parallel to one of the first two lines, at a distance equal to half the wide of your tile. So if the tiles are 12 inches across, the two parallel lines should be six inches apart.
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3
Spread thinset mortar over the middle of the floor with a notched mortar trowel, covering four or five square feet over intersection of the lines. You should be able to see the lines through the combed pattern in the mortar.
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4
Set the first tile in the mortar, in one of the four corners formed by the first two intersecting lines. Set the next tile along it, on the line that's perpendicular to the third line. Put spacers between the tiles as you lay the second one.
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5
Set additional tiles side by side along the same line, so they're in a row perpendicular to the third line. Build from the middle of the floor out toward the ends in both directions, putting spacers between the tiles as you go. Cut the tiles on the ends as needed on your tile cutter.
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6
Lay the second course of tiles starting at the third line (which should be aligned with the middle of the first tile you laid in the first course). Build out from the middle to the sides as before. The tiles in the two courses should be staggered with each other
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7
Repeat, laying each new course of tiles off one of the two parallel lines, alternating between them. Put spacers between all of them as you lay them. Cut the tiles at the ends of each course as needed to fit at the walls.
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8
Allow the thinset to dry for 12 hours. Spread grout over the tiles with a grout float, pressing it into the spaces at a 45 degree angle while wiping up the excess with a damp sponge. Let it set for 48 hours.
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