Diagonal Tile Layout

Often people who want to have diagonal tile layout for their floor start laying the tiles at the straightest wall. This trick can work for some people, but it often fails for most of the people. It normally goofs up at the center of the room. Find below how to do a diagonal tile layout for enhancing the home decor.

How to Implement Diagonal Tile Layout?
Mentioned below, are steps to carry out a diagonal tile layout for ceramic tile flooring. Before you start with laying the tiles, make sure that the tile pattern is square.

• The most standard procedure is to divide the room into four quarters. These quarters will help you in sequencing the tiles.
• Now, you will have to mark the center of all the four walls. Draw corresponding lines from the the center of the walls to the center of the room. These four lines will look like a ‘+’ sign. With this you will derive the center of the room. It is the center of the room where people normally falter on. Now, draw another four lines which run to the diagonal of the walls. This will look an ‘X’ sign.
• I hope you have not forgotten your Pythagorean triplet of 3-4-5. You will have to use the triplet to check whether the lines form a right angle. Mark a point at four feet away from the center along one of the cross lines. Then mark a point three feet away from the center on the intersecting lines. Join the two points, which will become the diagonal line. This diagonal line should measure five feet, if the lines drawn are 90 degrees. If the diagonal line does not measure five feet, then you will have to readjust the lines. Now, repeat the process till you cover the entire house with lines.
• After the lines have been drawn start laying the tiles. The tiles should be laid along each of the four lines of the cross, work from the center towards the walls. At the center it will create a cross. In case you notice some unevenness, use plastic spacers. DO NOT USE MORTAR. This is just a dry run of how the finished flooring will look.
• There is a possibility that at the walls you will notice that the space remaining will not fit a complete tile. Before you cut the tile, make sure that on all the four sides the distance that remains is the same. This will ensure that your room looks symmetrical. If the distance is not the same you will have to rearrange to get the symmetrical look. Mark the accurate lines after the dry run.
• After the required adjustments, you should start laying the other tiles as well. You can make whatever changes you want in terms of design and harmony after all the tiles have been laid. You will however, need a method which will help you remember how you had placed the tiles during the dry run.
• Now, cover the floor with the tile cement. Tile cement of most of the brands takes approximately 20-25 minutes to dry. Till then, you may take a coffee break.
• After the time has elapsed, you can start laying the tiles in the pattern you had decided. Once you have laid the tiles, press them down firmly. This will ensure that the tiles are locked. Lay all the tiles accordingly.
• After all the tiles have been placed, let it dry and then you can spread the grout. You will have to wait till the grout dries and then you can use a seal to prevent any stains on the tile in the future.

Now that you have the diagonal tile layout in your room, you can reset the furniture. I know you are tired after the hard work. Just get a cup of coffee and relax as you enjoy the new look of your room.